New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-15
Took Part in the Relief
of Lucknow in the
Mutiny of 1857.
RETRIEVED BRITISH
TRANSVAAL LOSSES
Had Warned England OF
Her UnpreparednesS for
Present Struggle.

Despite his eighty-two years, Lord
Roberts was more active than many
campaigner whose days were mueh less.
The example of his sixty years OF night
inC has proved Of wonderful assistance
10 England in the present crisis, and
his supreme optimism, the belief that
his successors would be on the winning
side. has done much 10 alleviate Tear al
home. -.
Suppose that Germany wins?'
friend asked him.
81 will not suppose anything OF the
sort" was the reply.
This never failing answer to any
suggestion that England's arms would
fail at this time was always belligerent-
lv returned TO any one who dared TO
EXPRESS doubt. This war has vlndi-
Gated his foresight. For ten years he
has been spreading the p>~aganda OF
preparation. His tours a. the country
are now recalled, his emphasis of weak
ness. deficiencies and the great neces-
sity for a modified consumption system.
England listened, but that was all.
Everything he predicted, every warm
ing he uttered. has come true. Level
remained his head. however and even
his boundless optimism was not blind
10 the seriousness of the conflict that
would be waged before victory was be
slowed. He was patriotic to the end,
but he never lost his judgment.
Gave Credit to Germans.
The German troops have fought I'M
commonly we'll, have shown splendid
organization. and have particularly de-
monstrated that they are well stated
lie told the Tribune's correspondent less
than two weeks ago.
fHrr# HH4~a evidence that the
Germans have underestimate our
strength and power. Most of all, they
have Underestimated our empire
power They thought that Ireland
would not rally to the imperial cause,
and they believed the same about
India. They underestimate, too, the
lighting value of the British army.
They thought il small and of not much
Importance. but now they have learned
otherwise.
"Since the Boer war. the lessons OF
which were well learned by the army,
cur troops have shown vast improve
ment. The organization is better; the
shooting is infinitely superior. When l
went 10 Germany 10 attend man9uvres
of the German army ! noticed the close
formations, and ! thought then that
were We ever TO engage IN war with
Germany that formation would be 10
cur advantage
One thing Lord Roberts emphasized
was that England could put two
million men in the field if necessary.
Without minimizing the difficulties Of
creating a new army. he insisted that
the spirit Of the British Empire would
overcome every obstacle, and an army
OF one million become a reality sooner
q. .xnac4aA
Efforts TO get him to predict the fu-
ture If Germany won failed again and
again. He refused 10 the end to see
any such result. of the war, but, he al
ways added N sort of aside, "the
war Will not end tomorrow"
Began Career in India.
"Bobs" was the son Of distin-
guished soldier, and after he had been
graduated from Eton as Frederick
Sleigh Roberts he began his own mill
tary career at the age of nineteen,
entering the Bengal Artillery. Within
i've months he was IN active service
in India at Peshawar, the frontier OF
a newly conquered province.
The mutiny Of 1857 brought him TO
the front as staff officer, and he
Joined the besieging force at Delhi.
During the actions before and after
the assault he had three horses shot
ar sabred under him and was himself
wounded. Throughout the trying
operations for the relief Of Lucknow
he served, and had the honor Of being
selected to return and bring up an
ammunition store. At the age OF TWEEN
five he performed this duty, and the
British forces were able TO enter the
citv the next morning. He won his
Victoria Cross that same year.
At the close of the campaign in 1905
lie was invalided to England. still a
lieutenant. and impatient. His lmpa-
thence grew for a year, when he re-
turned, and iu 1860 he became a cap
tain and brevet-major for distin,,
guished services. After hve years
6ard service he was again back in
England. but not for long. Almost
within the year Major Roberts, was
aoain in India. In 1867 he was chosen