The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-23
|K|TCHENER'S ARMY
|SMOVED SECRETLY
ACROSS CHANNEL
This Great Body Of Men
Now Numbers Approx
mately 100000
MAY MEAN GREAT
OFFENSIVE SOON
Regular Steamship Service Has Now
Been Inaugurated Between New
York and the Port of
Houston
BY HOLLAND

BY HOLLAND
New York. August 22-tSpecial.) when
the loss of the transport steamship Royal
Edward by submarine attack was an
nounced few days ago, with the further
statement that possibly 1000 of the soldiers
who had embarked upon this transport
were lost, it was inevitable that the Brit
ish censors should permit some intimation
to be made public of a fact concerning
which international financiers of this city
have had for sometime knowledge conf
! dentially impaired.
One of the London newspapers, when
CONNIE nting upon the loss of the Royal
Edward. stated, on Wednesday of last
week, that Great Britain is to be congrat-
ulated that this is the first occasion upon
which it has been necessary to report
dsas ter of this kind. When 1t is known.
as it must soon be. that there have
sailed from Great Britain more than 2,Ooo,-
600 troops which have been safely land
ed. then it will be understood how excel
lent has been the skill and capacity of
the British navy in guarding and convoy
ing its troops.
Early last week information was fur
nished by one or two of the leading in
ternG tional financiers which not only
Britain is putting its stupendous loan
made few weeks ago, but also the neces-
sity Cor Great Britain to provide facilities
in the United States whereby her enor-
nous obligations upon current account can
be met,
This information states, first, that in
Flanders Great Britain had, carly in July,
an army of approximately $4,000 men. This
army is distinguished in name and char
slcter from the army which Lord Kitch-
ener has been occupied for more than a
wear in recruiting. drilling, equipping
and making thoroughly effective for cam
paign service. By July l, Kitchener. work.
ing with secrecy which was marvellous,
in view of the men of finance, had re-
cruited, drilled and thorough equipped an
army which Is known as kitchener's army
and which in numbers is approximately
100000 men. This enumeration does not
include the British army of $4,000 men
which is now in Flanders. These troops
have been transported and are now be-
ing transported across the channel rapidly
and many times in as great numbers as
1000 men day. This movement of troops
has been accomplished not only with
great secrecy, but also with absolute
safety.
The International finaneiers speak of it
as possibly the finest and certainly the
greatest record ever made of the move
mont by transports. Not even in Great
Britain. excepting in government circles
AMI probably in some of the newspaper Of
fees, has there been any knowledge of
this stupendous movement. 1t Is spoken
of here as the army which Lord Kitchener
had in mind when he was reported to have
said at the beginning of the war that hos
tilities would not end until at least IS
months had passed. OF course, there is
no knowledge excepting that possessed by
Kitchener himself and his government OF
the disposition which is to be made of
these troops.
But the Inference is strong that so great
an army as that, il 1t be well equipped
and possess munitions in plenty, will not
rema In idle. There are some hints which
lead to suspicion that great general
movement may begin sometime in Septem-
Der. That, however. would probably de-
pend upon circumstances. To maintain an
army OF this kind. not merely thoroughly
equipped, but with adequate supplies of
foud, will compel Great Britain to con-
tinue her purchases of food supplies in the
United States throughout the fall. Doubt
less It IL with intent to facilitate pay
merit for these purchases, as well as pay
ment for purchases now under way, that
Great Britain looks upon 1t as inevitable
that some method be adopted, either
a great credit or the shipment of large
II .-11 ~ Of ,,.ttt H.. 49,,
means of which payments can be made
A New and Great Seaport
From Paul Fl. Sheldon, secretary of the
civil service commission of the city of
Houston. comes information which will
be of interest not only to New York
and to Houston, but to all who are en-
gagged In commerce and, indirectly, to
great bodies of American people. The
first of regular line of steamships navi-
eating between New York and Houston
was expected to arrive at Houston In the
latter part of last week. 1t Is possible
that the gulf hurricane which came so
near devastating Galveston may have de-
layed the steamer
1t did not, however, prevent the de-
parture of steamer from New York
city on Friday of last week whose des-
tination is Houston, and there are to
be regular sailings every 10 days. and
very likely once week, of steamships
from New York loaded with cargoes for
Houston and south Texas which will make
use of the new Houston ship channel and
of the terminals which are owned by the
municipality. The city pf Houston. In CO.
operation with the federal government,
has recently completed ship channel by
means of which the city. although it is 30
miles northwest of Galveston, Is now
made true seaport. Curiousy enough,
this great work in the far south which
has been under way at the same time that
another great work In the far northwest
has been under construction. has passed
almost unnoticed excepting by the govern
ment authorities at Washington and the
people of Houston and its. vicinity.
In the northwest they have succeeded
in constructing a canal around the rapids
Of the Columbia river and of perfectng
the canalizing of-the Willamette river. In
this way unobstructed navigation for craft
drawing from eight to nine feet OF water
is obtained for distance of about 1900
miles inland. The people of the north
west celebrated with great rejoicings and
demonstrations the completion of this
canal The ship canal which now makes
Houston a true seaport was completed
abou. the time the Columbia canal was
ready for navigation. A celebration and
demonstration similar to that which at.
tended the opening of the Columbia river
canal some weeks ago Is to. identify at
Houston the opening of direct steamship
communication between Houston and New
York city.
While Galveston will maintain her prom