The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-19
LORD ROBERTS.
Career tof tho English Field Mershai VINO
10 ID Comm and In South Africa.

Career tof the English Field Marshai VINO
10 10 Comm and In South Africa.
To rhr EDITOR OF The sus-Sir; The ap-
polntment OF Lord Roberts TO the command In
South Africa Ia not only pathetic incident IN
the history Of the war. but also very notable
event In the history OF the British Army lhat
this magnificent Irishman. who Is the 1901 OF
the British nation. should be called upon 10
leave his native country just at the very hour
when his only son was killed In action u a
singularly pathetic incident. calculated to touch
the entire heart OF the British Empire.
But IL Is, perhaps. not generally known In
this country. that the British Army is divided
into two factions. Those who supported Lord
Wolseley In his reconstruction OF the British
Army on the lines Of short service" and those
who were opposed tooth and nall to this policy.
and who were followers OF Lord Roberts In his
condemnation OF the "short-service system
and. In fact. to Lord Wolseley's entire policy.
IL Is an immense victory Tor Roberts and MS
friends and practically q death blow to VS.
count wolseley's official career.
Roberts belongs to that class OF men which Is
contomptuously designated by the officers OF
the British Army who have always served with
white troops. as 1.-The black officer" He COM
menced his military service as q Lieutenant
with mountain battery OF native artillerymen
at Peshawar. and for eight years distinguished
himself In this service. Ten years afterward
he was attached to the stat OF the Quarter
master Generals Department, thus learning
the necessary lesson OF the movement oftroops
and the equipment OF the same. About seven
years after this he returned to the Artillery. but
within comparatively short time he became
Quartermaster- General OF the Indian army.
Consequently he has had the very training
necessary for the moving OF troops In Africa.
IL was In the year 1873. whom ! was myself
stationed on tho Afghan frontier. that he was
placed In command Of the Puniaub frontier
force. and eventually In command OF the whole
army In eastern Afghanistan. had a rare
opportunity OF personally watching las q non
combatantl the marvellous career OF this great
man. / knew almost every officer who COM
handed regiments In that celebrated march
from Cabul to Candahar In August. 1880. and
often listened TO their wonderful stories ol
dear little Bobs" and their estimate OF his
military ability. Unlike Gen. White. Roberts
was great success "a Comman der In Chief Of
the army in India, and 1t is said that II was a,
Gen. Roberts's suggestion that Lord Beacons-
| field sent those magnificent Indian troops to
Malta as an intimation that II Great Britain had
| TO fight tho Russian Bear single handed she
would do Il with the forces OF her whole En-
| pire. Consequently II may be understood that
| Lord Roberts's appointment to South Africa
| indicates q willingness at last. to bring native
troops from India II necessary.
And why not? The Sikhs and Goorkbas fol
the last nifty years have been the most loya
troops in the British Army. and few regi
ments Of Puniab cavalry would have saved
Gen. Butler from defeat. Ordinary folk have
| the impression that the native army OF India
cannot DO trusted. But there never has been
Al n-INI .L
In India. tho least doubt as to the loyalty Of the
sikhs and GoorEhas; and they are as much !
| part ot the forces OF the Empire as the loya
legions ~ Canada and Australia.
| Field Marshal Lord Roberts Is a remarkable
personality. In the first place he is like tn,
| great Wellington. an Irishman. and never fail,
| TO waken the enthusiasm OF the sons OF Erin
| Then his name is one 10 charm with through
| out the whole OF India. where he Ia feared Ill,
dreaded on the one hand and beloved and hon
orsd on the other from Cape Comorin to tn,
| 0xus River. "Bobs" never knows when he Il
defeated. l remember when he achieved hi
victory In the Ruram Valley; his officers de
clared that no was defeated. but Roberts
never knew II. and awoke next morning as
victorious general ready for the fray. He nevc
forgets face. A young friend Of mine. Lieu
tenant In tho Engineers. had only met hin
him on q narrow mountain road between
Peshawar and Jelalabad Roberts reached on
his hand and said. Well. NJ. how ure yol
old fellow" Lieut.. NJ would have laid dowi
| his life In the service OF the General from tina
| very hour. When marching from Cabul 4
Candahar was told that Roberts would neve
| sit down TO his mesa dinner until he had seel
the men properly fed This might cause de
lay OF the mess 6ugle for half an hour
A friend OF mine was In a tent adjoining on
filled with British soldiers after the defeat n
Maiwand. when no heard one OF the fellow
exclaim: But oh for ali hour with Bobs |!
At the Queens Jubilee. when Lord Robert
was In the procession to ~. Paul's. II is sal
that he received an ovation from the popu!ac
equal to that Of the aged Queen herself.
There can be- no question that the Births
Ministry felt compelled TO ignore the jealou
feelings OF Viscount Wellesley and to send Lor
Roberts to the front This step will kndl
enthusiasm among Irishmen IN the fighting
forces OF Great Britain, and the fact that tn
white haired General takes leave Of home an
country at q time when his heart Is sore an
sad with bereavement will AWAKEN degree G
popular feeliQg In England. which. while
may save the hSitish Government from defea
will pierce the bubble which has forced itse
to the head Of the British Army in the perso
OF Viscount Xolseley who IL we'll known to b
jealous OF Nery officer who has create
reputation than his own.
In my former letter on Gen. White"
To- Se de or hs BTsh ESpn
| In South Africa. And this has come to pass.
=, AN E1.CHAPIAIN IN THE BRITISH ARMY.
New YORK. Dec IL.