Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-05
BR|TA|N'S SEA POWER
Trouble Over Kaiser's Letter
Not All Waste Breath.
CAUSE OF THE OUTCRY
Was a Calculated Indiscretion' of
Col. Repington.
IS A GREAT MILITARY AUTHOR
Special Service Squadron Will Ac-
company the Prince Of Wales
to Canada.
LONDON, March 10, 1908.

LONDON, March 10, 1908.
The man who stirred up all the trouble
over the Kaiser's letter to Lord Tweed
mouth is Col. Court Repington, who
has been the Times military writer
now for some years. 1t seems more like
ly that Col Repington's calculated indis-
cretion'' as he calls It, has done good
rather than harm, though. Of course. an
Immense amount of nonsense has been
published and more foolish outcry made
over the matter than it deserved. The
agitation at all events has had the effect
of calling out opinion on all sides re-
garding the navy and of showing indubit-
ably that the vast bulk of opinion in this
country Is for a strong navy OF the
uble-standard type; that Is. able to
tackle any other two European navies.
Col Repington is an earnest and able
man, now retired from the army, and
therefore free to write on military sub
jects. He was brilliant soldier who be-
gan his career thirty years ago in the
Afghan war. In 1883 he was student at
the Staff College, Camberley. where it was
readily admitted that there was no
one. among either professors or stu
dents, who could cope with him In
the matter or sheer natural ability. From
1880 to 1885 he was on continuous duty
at the intelligence branch of the war
office, and one of the chiefs under whom
he served has left it on record that Cap
tain Repington is. without exception, the
cleverest man and best-informed soldier
with whom l have ever come In con-
tact"
AS major he was sent in 1897 to Egypt.
as deputy assistant Acknowledgements,
Cairo. This appointment was to prove the
turning point in this brilliant young SOL
diers career. He arrived in Egypt with
the knowledge that there was nothing in
his own service which he might not aspire
to attain. He was marked for preferment
among his fellows. His opinions were
eagerly listened to by his seniors.
Served in Africa.
He took part in Kitchner's campaign up
the Nile in 1893 and emerged with the
brevet rank of lieutenant colonel. The
following year brought the war in South
Africa. and when Sir Redvers Butler was
given the chief command he selected Col.
Court to accompany him on his staff
OF the true history of Buffers campaign
1t Is probable that this man knows more
than any one living. but so far loyalty
to his general has sealed his mouth. An
instance Of the confidence which Sir Red
vers placed in Col. Repington's judgment
is found in the fact that he selected him
| on the morning of Spion Kop to make a
personal investigation Of what was taking
place on the summit of that Inflated hill.
Col. Court returned with Gen. Butler
to this country in 1900. and for his serv-
ices I'm South Africa was decorated with
c. NJ. G..
His next appointment was that of mil
itary attache in Berlin. He was es-
pecially selected for this post because
of his ability in dealing with the ques-
tons that affected Germany In the low
countries. 1t was not generally known
tina, there was at this period a very
grave anxiety that Germany intended to
ha Of hxy<
running the low countries. For domestic
reasons in 1901 he resigned from the
army. and since then he has written on
military subjects.