The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-26
SECRETS OF THE MILITARY.
INSIDE FACTS CONCERNING THE
v CANADIAN CONTINGENT.
Personal Ambition of Gen. Hutton
Has Precipitated an Unhappy
state of Affairs Throughout the
Dominion Among the soldiers.

Special Dispatch to the Post-Intelligencer.
OTTAWA, Ont. July ss-when Cen
Hutton retired from the command OF the
Canadian militia and left Ottawa last
winter, II was not so much to seek ad-
ditionai military honors ard prestige In
South Africa. as to avoid the disagree
able alternative of peremptoty recall.
During the generals short term In the
Canadian command. he had never sue
ceeded in gaining the support OF many
prominent militia Officers, and from the
time OF his installment IN ONCE at Ottawa
until the date OF his resignation. his
administrative acts antagonixed the mill
itfa department ana general stan through
out the country whenever he came in
contact with H. While everybody con-
nected with the militia service undouhted-
iy recognised the generals great energy.
and high military attachments yet the
innovations he sought TO introduce, and
the old country system OF discipline he
determined 10 impose upon the militia
system OF Canada. aroused q bitter hos
tility at once. and the conhict between
the department of militia and the general
grew more pronounced every day until
II illuminated during the preparations for
Canadas participation In the war
The estrangement between the general
and his subordinate Officers also became
acute. Lieut. Col Sam Hughes NJ p
was the frst to incur the generals dis
pleasNe, because his active promotion
of the popular movement for Canadian
interference In South Africa smacked too
much Of independence, which 10 the
CHARACTERISTIC OF Canadian citizen. soid,sry.
and from which II would be dlficuit IL
not impossible to disassociate other
events followed which, of course. are de-
partmental secrets, but OF which sum
cient IL known to show that the general
sought to act. in his sphere of operations
independentiy Of the department. The
recall OF Gen. Hutton was therefore de-
manded and his resignation followed.
II now seems. however that the gem
eral Is having his innings- Lieut.. Col
Hughes. after having been refused a com
mand In the Canadian contingents BY Gen.
Hutton, proceeded to Cape Town inde-
pendently. After his arrival there, Col.
Hughes received an important stan APP
pointment In the imperial army and has
done good service along the line Of COM
munications. and has seen much active
service. II 10 now announced by pri-
vate cable that Col. Hughes has been
dismissed by Lord Roberts from the COM
mand OF the South African rlght Horse.
No reasons are yet given. and the militia
department states that il has no ..ofY1-
cfaf' Information to ofrer upon the SUBJ
teet. There is no doubt however. that
the hand OF Gen. Hutton IL In the bust.
ness. Col Hughes has indiscreetiy writ
ten home some severe criticisms upon the
administration OF Gen. Hutton. while
commanding In Canada These commune
cations have been published In the Cana
dian papers, ana this has undoubtedly
been viewed as grossly violating the code
or etiquette In vogue IN the imperial army.
AND when brought to the knowledge OF
LORD Roberts. has resulted IN the dis
charge Of Col. Hughes.
This IL not ALL Col. Herchemsr. who
went out TO South Africa In Command 81
ane second continsent. has also come
under the ban Of Gen. Hutton. soor Al
ter the arrival OF the SECOND continrert
az cape Town. Col Herchenfer had 10
go into the hospital. Two month"; aro
ne was discharged an well and nj FOR
active duty, and accordingly proceeded
10 the front to rejoin HIS regiment. Re-
porting at Kroonstad. on May 10. he was
instructed by Gen. Hutton 10 reuue
command Of his battalion A few hours
afterward the general countermanded his
Instructions, and offered Col. Herchemer
three months leave OF ahaence. Col
Hsrohemer arrived In Ottawa this week
ana laid his case before the minister Of
militia. Gen. Hutton 10 IN command OF
the Canadian forces IN South Africa, and
besides being proud OF his mon. II In
turn much admired by them II would
seem. however. that he cannot forget the
treatment he received In Canada, and IL
thus showing his disappointment and re-
sentiment In go unmistakabie manner.
The III success which the imperial on
cers at tho head OF military afyairs In
Canada have Invariably met with in this
country. and particularly during the IN
cumhency Of Gen. Hutton, has forcibly
brought to the attention Of the Canadian
authorities the necessity of n change
In the militia system In this important
respect. An amendment 20 the militia act
was passed at the last session of the do
minion parliament. removing the disa-
biiity under which Canadian officers Ia
bored. and authorizing the appointment
of competent Canadian colonel as gem
eral officer commanding the militia. In
consequence of this change. Col O'Grady
Haley, OF the British army. r. coming
20 Canada to assume temporary COM
mand OF the militia for q limited period.
The popular sentiment OF this coun-
try is growing In favor Of sef-govefn-
mont in its military affairs as wen as
IN all other matters affecting its domes-
tic economy. Canada has demonstrated
TO the world that she IL not lacking in
military ardor. and II Is considered that
the time has now come when she should
free herself from the shaokies. slight as
they are. which force her dependence
upon the war Office Of England Cana
dian soldiers in south Africa have dis
tinguished themselves for their bravery.
endurance and enthusiasm. Miiitarism
may Ae described as the dominant pas.
sion Of the dominion today. and Il VIII
be the great peryading feature In the
coming election campaign. Canada needs
no inspiration from the mother country
10 urge her TO her duty, Ia becoming her
popular cry, nor has she any need Of
imported British generals 20 teach her
soldiers the art Of war