The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-02
BRITISH CHIEF BARS
TITLED ORNAMENTS
Sir william Robertson. New
Head Of Headquarters Staff,
Demands Efficiency.
HE BEGAN AS PANTRY BOY
an.cini corr,spondence TO Tnn sus.

sp,cini correspoadence TO THs suS.
inSpoN April 21.--The appointment
~ Cir william Robertson as the Chief
., Headquarters stan In one without
pr.cedent in the British army.
TIL. position carries with 1t practically
,hs complete control of all other stan
.npoin,ments which are additionally
r.earded as the birthright OF men OF
GOOD family. At the outbreak of the
war there was scarcely "A man on the
General stan whose name could not be
found in the peerage: the chief OF stan
vas invariably q man of aristrocratic
birth.
Tn. new chief OF the stan IL a man
NJ humble origin. He began life as a
nantry boy. At IS he was promoted
10 be an indoor footnan In the es-
adjustment OF wealthy Wiltshire
squire. but ne made an Indifferent and
rsbellious sort Of footman and one day
ended his career as such by telling the
we'll trained butler under whom he
served 20 70 20 a much hotter place than
,hs pantry. Robertson then walked to
me nearest town, took the Queens shl-
ling and became n private OF dragons
He became a Lieutenant ten years
later, and his subsequent rise, consider
ire the tremendous prejudice that has
aris,ed in the army toward the adj
vancement of rankers, was fairly rapid.
He became chief OF the stan college at
sandhurst and at the outbreak OF war
wss OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
His Emcient Organizing.
Like Kitchener. his abilities lay In his
treat powers OF organization. AS
~ l.
sible for the organization OF the trans
port and commissarlat arrangements
and in an incredibly short time and in
face OF the most stupendous difficulties
no built up that vast and complicat ed
machinery by which troops. food clothes
and ammunition can be daily moved be-
tween England and the front without
hitch or the least delay or confusion.
A. chief OF the stan Sir William Rob-
ertson has before him the still more
diffcult task or reorganizing the Cen
erl Staff. In carrying out this work
he will combat the most powerful social
influences and deep rooted traditions and
custom OF the army. There is not
another man In the army who would
have had the courage to undertake such
a task There are. OF course. able Off
GERS and good soldiers on the General
STAFF: hut It Is matter OF common
knowledge that II Is overburdened with
ornamental officers who are on IL for
70 other reason than their wealth and
social position.
Cen French. like other great British
Generals. could not escape from the old
influence. In giving stan appointments
10 dukes and wealthy peers or their
sons he did no more than did Lord
Roberts In South Africa or Lord Raglan
IN the Crimea, or the Duke OF yelling
ION in the Peninsular war. This has
always been done practically of ncces-
s,y by the British commander in chief
in any campaign
No Room for Arm m ents.
But the plain fact Is. and II is on.
apparently acknowledged. tac!tly " re-
luctantly. by Gen. French, that In this
great war there is 10 room on the stan
for the ornamental officer. No one doubts
for a moment the courage OF men like
The Duke of Westminster or the Duke
- Roxburghe or a host OF others, or
iher willingness TO undertake any task.
however hazardous, they may be asked
10 perform but the hard fact remains
hat they are men with little or no mill
iary experience. and have no knowledge
~ staff duties ON the General STAFF
they are simply in the way.
They are untitled for any special du-
les beyond thar of carrying dispatches
and they are under no command except
hat OF the commander in chief, who Is
ar too busy to concern himself about
them. They are, therefore. more or
.ess az the loose end of a string with
deal Of time on their hands which
they occupy as often - possible IL en-
tertaining their friends and relations
on three day visits from England at
various villas along the rear OF the
British lines
stan officer altogether or to find some
useful and purposeful work for him is
Sir william Robertson's determination.
Ills me,hOd Is a very simple one. He
Oilers JoD--it may be one on the
ines OF communication or "A post on the
Held telephone or telegraph service.
something At all events that will take
MN from headquarters and keep him
husy-and the man to whom II Is Of
'ered must either accept IL or clear
OUT. In the last week sixteen officers
have been got rid OF in this way,
'our OF whom have returned TO Eng
and
Moreover. the new chief OF the STAN
has absolutely forbidden all those visits
on the part OF smart society women TO
ne front. which had during the last
Few months become a feature of the so
Nh Nfe at the English headquarters.
W this, OF course. Is but a small
sart OF tho work which the new chief
has In hand; but how difficult 1t has
been, and is, may bs gathered from tho
'act that Sir william Robertson frankly
admitted 70 friend in London lately
mat only for tho fact that there was
a man at the head OF the War Office
who could say mo" 10 a duke or even
prince he would have been compelled
70 have pT up with the presence OF the
ornamental stan officer AT the front.
And ! would have resigned. OF course,
rather than do that" said the chief
Of stan.
Places for Competent Rnnkers.
The new chief aims at making tho
'ehera! stan as efficient as II IL possible
70 make II. He will put any man on
X whether he be "A duke or newly
promoted ranker who can most EN-
Gshtly perform the particular work re-
guifed OF him. He has not found
Huhe yet m 20 DO a stan officer. hut
No has found the cousin of one and
.ad no hesitation in putting him on
u. star
Sir William Robsrtson's influence Is
rbk'ng itself felt right through tho
amy BY tho best soldiers he Is liked
osause they have confidence In his
uemendous efficiency. but. generally
Speaking. the new chief OF stan with his
,tsged harsh features. ragged mus
acne and rough manners IL feared
rNh.r than liked. He Is devoid OF all
we conr'ierlke qualities which usually
r,,sunPu'sh the soldier OF high rank.
us manners are stll the manners OF
nd nst To 10