Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-12-18


sonal merit. Before the "'' iENIi SUIT
change of commanders Sir John French
had paid high tribute to the man who
takes his place When hostilites
commenced Sir Douglas was general Of
fcer commanding mt Adershot and imme-
diately was placed i'm command of the first
army of the cXpcditonary force. Mention
of his name in dispatches for excellent gem
eralship appeared repeatedly. At the battle
of the Aisne his conduct was described by
Sir John French as bold skilfu and de-
cisivc" In November, 1914, Sir Douglas was
promoted from the rank of lieutenant gem
eral to the fun rank of general for distin-
guished service in the field. In General
FrenCh's dispatch to the British War Office
describing the famous and mastery retreat
from Mons he credited Sir Douglas Haig with
having eXtricated his corps from difficult
position AT Landrecies. "I sent urgent mes
saEcs to the commander of two French reserve
divisions on my right TO come up TO the as
sistanCe of the First Corps, which they event
ually did" wrote Sir John. Partly owing
to this assistance, but mainly due to the
slilful manner i'm which Sir Douglas HaiG
eXtrcated his corrs from an exceptionally
difficult position in the darkness of the night,
they were able al dawn to resume their
march south toward Assigns on Guise."
Sir Douglas Haig is a scotchman lie is
fifty-four years old and began his military
career as a subaltcrn in the Seventh Hus-
sars in 1855. His first distinction he won in
the Sudan, where he was promoted by Cen
craI Kitchener To the brevet rank of major
for gallantry at Atbara and before Khar-
toum. Sir Douglas also DISTINGUISHED him
self i'm the operations against the Transvaal
and the Orange Free state. During one Of
the important phases of the war in South
Africa Sir Douglas Hag commanded a group
Of columns lie was mentioned again In dis
patches and was appointed aide-de-camp to
the King. Later he commanded the Seven
teenth Lanccrs, the Death Glory Boys"
and in 1908 he became Inspector General OF
Cavalry in India. While in the East ne was
promoted to tho rank Of Major General ana
in 1906 became Director Of Military Training
and the following year Director of Staff
Duties at army headquarters, From 1909
until 1912 he was Chief Of staff in India,
John Bull EngIishman
Lord Derby's work in his difficult post is
known 10 the world After his appointment
"A Northern Admrer" wrote a letter to
the Editor of the London Mail to impress
on the people OF southern England the kind
Of man who had been chosen, I'VE in the
north" he said, almost anNiously, "know
that Lord Derbys gallant effort to save vol
untary enlistment. in which attempt he has
himself said he feels somewhat in the posi-
tion of a receiver 'of a bankrupt concern
is characteristic Of the fine courage of the
man"
Always a strict and brainy Tory. he Is
throwing himself into a task created by what
many people consider Mr., Asquith's mono
maniac fear Of the working classes. we
know" declared "Admirer," that he will
throw his unbounded enthusiasm and genius
for organization into the work. We know
that he will inspire the canvassers on their
unpleasant rounds. and that just he has
sacrificed every moment of leisure and peace
at his palace at Knowsley since the war be-
gan, so he will work from morning to night
writing, speaking. travelling and inspiring"
The fact that he does not believe In the
work he Is doing. that he holds the strongest
views against the voluntary system, has not
deferred him for an instant Mr.. Asquith
asked him 10 DO Il, and that was enough.
II 10 douhtful VvhetheF any single individual