Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-03-14
Roberts and Kitchener


British hero of the hour, Lord Rob
erts, the victor of Ksndahar, the sa-
vior of Kimberley and the man who
captured Crouje at Psardeberg, as be
is described by Charles f. Hands.
writing from Cape Town to the Daily
Mail, London. The correspondent
continues:
Everywhere l seem to come across
him. Wherever he happens to be
people turn round, look at him as be
passes and hurry back for another
look, being so impressed that the al,
most forget to cheer. And wherever
he goes, with his alert step and his
grave, strong look, confident purpose
and resolution seem to spread around.
He looks so thoughtful; everything
he does seems so thoughtful, so we'll
considered, part of a definite scheme.
81 got glimpse of him alone in q
big Office room. 1t was a small mat
ter to him which want TO put be-
fore him. But be does not seem to
think so. To him no detail seems
unimportant. He considers it rapid
ly but thoughtfully, gives decision
and reason for it, and then the sub
ject is dismissed.
Lord Roberts is the man with the
plan, the man who knows what he is
going to do and is taking every step
necessary to do it. And the Colonists,
who were getting anxious, are, since
he has been among them, fuller of
enthusiasm than ever, aud that
quieter, more resolute, more real en-
thusiasm.
"And see how they are volunteer
ing to him. A dozen bodies of Irreg-
ular Colonial Horse are being raised;
as many as are wanted can beraised.
Business at last, real business.
81 seek an opportunity to get a
glimpse of another mantle general
manager of this great business un-
dertaking at his work. | am told to
be there at 10 minutes past 8. ar
rive ut 5 minutes past and wait in
an out Office. 1t is exactly 10 min
utes past 9 when door is opened and
my name is called.
81 gointo long room in which are
several desks like the desks in the
managers office of a great railway
company. And al each desk, bend
ing over piles of papers, sits a high
officer.
''At the end of the room, at table
which commands q view of all the
rest of the apartment, sits big, dark,
stern man, with a heavy moustache,
intent upon papers. Before he looks
up have time TO note the telephones
and the neatness and orderliness of
the arrangements on his table. When
he does look up he keeps his finger on
the paper in front of him, marking
the place where be left off.
al begin to tell what / have to say.
He looks at me with very keen, bright.
gray blue eyes. Before | have said
10 words he seems to know all the
rest, including that which l had
planned to lead up to. In 10 words
be SAYS what be has to say. He asks
me about something which he wants
to know, hears what / have to say.
remarks that he is very busy, and be
fore | have quite realized that have
shaken hands and said good morning,
he is bending down again over his
papers, deep in a calculation at the
point where he left off.
"Lord Kitchener-for it is he's
engaged, they tell me, in recognizing
the transport system.
'Think of that-in time of war, in
the midst of campaign-he is doing
for himself what the whole of Pail
Mall would have bungled at for years
in times of peace. But he thinks it
is necessary; he knows he can do it,
and no one seems to have the slight
est doubt that it will be an advanta Ia.
geous thing to do. / observe that of
the men Immediately around him
many, down to the merest subordi-
mates, are men whom he has trained
and tried himself at the other end of
Africa to know what he wants and to
do what be wants"