The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1916-06-09
BRITISH WAR LORD LOST
With TORPEDOED CRUISER
Kitchener of Khartum Drowned While on Way
to Conference in Russia-News Proves
Shock to English People.
unanimous approval.

UNANIMOUS approval.
AS the war progressed and Great
Britain's deficiencies in certain direc-
tions, particularly in regard to the
tions, particularly in regard to the
shotage of artillery ammunition, be-
came apparent, Earl Kitchener was
subjected to severe criticism, led by
Lord Northcliffe. The secretary was
charged with responsibility for failure
to foresee the extraordinary demand
for heavy shells and as result the
ministry of munitions was formed
with David Lloyd-G George as its head.
Earl Kitchener's responsibilities
were further lessened by the appoint
ment of Gen. Sir William Robertson
as chief of the imperial staff in De-
cember of last year. 1t was reported
at that time that friction had arisen
between Earl Kitchener and Field
Marshal French, then in command of
the Britisht forces in France Shortly
after the appointment of Gen. Robert
son, Field Marshal French relinuuish-
ed his command.
Notwithstanding the criticism di-
rected against Earl Kitchener his
great accomplishments during the war
are recognized universally. Foremost
of his achievements is the creation
from England's unframed manhood of
huge army.
At the beginning of the war Great
Britain had only a few hundred thou
sand trained men. Today more than
100000 men are enrolled for the
various branches of the service.
Had to Catch Up.
All other great powers that entered
the war had huge standing armies and
compulsory military service. Great
Britain alone faced the issue with
confidence that it's people would read
lily respond to the call of king and
country without compulsion, and the
precipitous developments that led to
the war found both the people and the
government unanimous in the verdict
that itchener of Khartum was the
man to lead in the recruiting and or
ganization of the necessary army.
1t was not a sentimental clamor
for though Kitchener was a proved
hero of many campaigns, his person
allty was as impenetrable as hardened
steel, and he was not a hero that
could be loved; even the war office
respect for his military efficiency and
had no pronounced liking for him,
but on all sides there was profound
respect for his military efficiency and
for all he had done to extend the do
mains of the British empire.
BY mere luck Kitchener happened
to be in England on one of the COM
paratively rare visits that he had paid
to London during his long career
abroad, whe nthe European war broke
out. He had just come home from
service as British agent in Egypt, had
accepted an earldom from King
George and was being talked of as
viceroy to India. Within a few hours
after England's declaration of war
Kitchener was appointed secretary of
state for war and Immediately took
full charge at the war office, where he
worked day and night to overcome
the handicap which the central DOW
ers had over England in the matter
of fighting strength.
He grimly told the British people
they had bigger war on their hands
than they REALIZED, and one that might
last longer than they expected, but it
was to be faced with entire confidence,
and he, unsmilIng, almost like de-
humanied machine, set about to make
things hum. He had scarcely moved
into Whitehall street when he made
numerous changes in the personals
of the war office, which was said to
be honeycombed wit hsocial and politi-
cal favoritism.
After dispatching few hundred
thousand regulars to France and Bel
gium to help check the onrushing
Germans, the wa rsecretary began re-
'cruiting and organizing his army of
millions. The British Isle were COW
cred with signs and posters urging
young men to join the colors. Kitch-
ener went throught the country super
intending the drilling of the army l..
From time to time were reports indi-
eating his failure to get the number
OF men he wanted, but within a year
after the war opened Premier AS
quith officially announced in parlia-
ment that about 100000 men had
enlisted in the United Kingdom alone,
and almost another million in the
overseas dominions.