Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-16

must his forces smash their way through
naturally fortified strait, which bristles with
the best Notifications and the most powerful
guns German ingenuity can devise, but on
land he must lead an army which contains
some representatives from nearly every ma
ton now fighting on the side of the Allies.
Makes Friends of Enemies
To weld these nationalitics into one great
1ghtng force Is a job for which Hamilton
is well fitted. because he is one of the most
versatile of the allied commanders His ex-
perlences have been enough to make him ver-
satle, even IL he were not by nature. Hamil-
ton possesses the faculty of getting along
| with men, because he is a likable man him
self. AS a youth he won the heart of Lord
| Roberts, and he captivated even the Boer
leader. General Joubert. Lord Kitchener,
autocratic and dictatorial, he got along with
spenddy. Perhaps these qualities were re-
sponsible for his selection to lead the allied
troops in the Turkish campaign. From the
moment he took charge he had no friction
with the French leader, General rAmade,
who could not work with General French on
the western front. AS young man he won
the heart of the German General banners,
and later the Kaiser himself bestowed on
him the Prussian order of the Red Eagle
Only a few years ago the Car broke all
precedent by permitting General Hamilton
to view the maneuvers of the Russian army
u privilege heretofore restricted to the French
officers. To all these distinctions General
Hamilton adds that of literature for he is a
poet and author A few years ago he pub
lished two volumes OF ballads and three
books OF prose, the latter dealing with mill
tary topics.
1t seems almost imperative that general
shall have passed his sxtieth year to qualify
for an important post in this war. General
Hamilton is So years of age. He was born
In Corfu which now belongs to Greece. Then
it belonged to Turkey. At the time Hamilton
was born his father, Colonel Christian Mon
teith Hamilton, was fighting for England
in the Crimean War.
"The Musketry Maniac"
His first taste of actual battle he received
when he went TO India with Lord Roberts
TO participate in the Afghan war. In this
campaign they called him the "musketry
maniac" That was because he placed so
much emphasis on muslSet and bayonet prac-
tice. 1t while he was serving in the
Burmah campaign of 1884 that Hamilton
displayed much initiative in musketry
that the British Government offered him a
high command in india with a salary of
$4,000. At the same time the School of
Musketry at Hythe offered him position as
instructor at $4,000 a year. He accepted the
latter because 1t gave him an opportunity to
pursue his hobby. And 1t is worthy of note
that in the last Boer war the soldiers who
were trained by him covered themselves
with glory for their craftsmanship.
Hamilton's chief fame was acquired in the
last Boer war and with General Kitchener
In the latter's East African campaign.
Against the Beers he was conspicuous for
his bravery. 1t was here that his bravery
resulted in an injury which kept him for six
months an invalid. He was in charge of a
picketing force which was attacked by Beers
in great numbers. Once Hamilton rushed
up to General Sir George Colley, and in his
impetuous' manner said:
Forgive my presumption, sir, but will you
let the Gordon Highlanders charge with the
bayonet?"
1T Is no presumption. young man." re-
turned General Colley Wen let them
charge us; then Wen give them voey and
a charge"
The Beers charged with an invincible rush,
and General Colley himself was shot 1t was
HamltOn's misfortune to be shot through
the wrist and to be taken prisoner Hamn-
father had owned. When ordered TO surren-
der II to the Beers he refused. 1t was lucky
for him that the Boer leader General Jou-
bert, arrived at that moment. When he
realized the situation he was so much i'm
pressed with the courage Of the wounded
Briton that he permitted him to keep the
sword. The withered fingers OF one hand
Hamilton now refers to as my glorious de-
formity from Maiuba."
Divides Honors With K. of K.
After the Boer war Hamilton went 70
India. and his return stopped at suez.
Here he joined Kitchener's army. then pre-
pairing 10 subdue the soudan He and his
Gordon Highlanders fought with distinction
in this campaign and at its conclusion he
received. the ID. s. o." In recognition Of his
services He became Chief OF stan under
Kitchener, and, as with Lord Roberts be-
fore, he divided honors with K OF K. after
The soudan war.
In recognition Of his services 10 England /
and 10 him personally, Kitchener gave GEN /
efal Hamilton one Of the besl plums be had
Il his disposal when he placed him In charge
# the landing force Of 10000 men At ths
That force was landed II a
manner that distinguished General Hamil-
-on. What failures there may have been IN
he Daraaneles eampaisn since then are nos
lus 70 Hamilton. but 10 the London manage
nent Tie crucial test for Hamilton 5 Jet
g come. Most EnsIishman 1amlllar alla Is
.eeaEd aHe 44z& - #ll meet Il