The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1916-06-08
Death Of Kitchener Is
Great Blow to English

London, June 6.-The news that
Earl Kitchener, secretary of state for
war, and his staff, who were proceed
ing to Russia aboard the cruiser Hamp-
shire, were lost off the Orkney islands
last night, was the most stunning
blow Great Britain has received since
the war began. This is the second
shock the country has sustained within
a week. The other was when the
newspapers appeared Friday evening
with the first intelligence of the naval
battle in the North sea in the form of
list of ships lost, with virtually no
intimation that there was any compen-
sation in the way of enemy losses. The
bulletin telling of the death of kitche-
ner gave the country even a greater
shock
Kitchener was the one outstanding
person whom the people talked of and
believed as great man, notwthstand-
ing newspaper attacks which at form
er period in the war threatened to un-
dermine public confidence in him.
A telegram from Admiral Sir John
JellicOe, commander Of the fleet, giving
the bare facts, was received at the ad-
miralty about II o'clock in the morn
ing. The first official announcement
was issued at about 1:30 in the after
noon. About noon rumOrs were spread
ing and the telephones in the newspa-
per offices were busy with inquirers
anxious to know whether this-one of
OF the many reports circulating in the
days of tension-had any foundation.
They were told there was nothing in it.
When the announcement finally was
issued, the facts spread about London
some time before the newspapers
could get into the streets.
There was crowd about the stock
exchange requiring the police reserves
to deal with it. The police told every
one to move on; that there was no
truth in the report.
At the same time another mass of
! people were assembling about the gov
ernment office in Whitehall All the
windows of the war Office had the cur
tains lowered. That confirmed the
rumor beyond doubt. Other crowds
gathered around the newspaper offices.
When the boys came out with armfuls
of extras the people fell on them and
fought for the papers.
In the course of the afternoon the
flags on all buildings were flown at
half staff.
Admiral Jellicoe, commander of the
British grand fleet, has reported to
the admiralty that the British cruiser
Hampshire with Earl Kitchener and
his staff aboard, has been lost off the
West Orkneys.
Four boats were seen to leave the
Hampshire, but heavy sea was run.
ming. Only one capsized boat and
some bodies were found.
Kitchener was on his way to Russia.
Admiral Jellicoe reports there is lit
tie hope that there are any survivors.
The names of the members of Kitch-
ener's staff have not been learned.
Sir William Robertson, chief of the
imperial staff, is in London.
Jellicoe's report to the admiralty fol-
lows: Il report with deep regret his
majesty's ship Hampshire, Captain
Herbert j.. Savill, R. NJ, with Lord
Kitchener and his staff aboard, was
sunk last night about o'clock to the
west of the Orkeys, either by a mine
or torpedo. Four boats were seen to
observers on shore to leave the ship,
The wind was northwest and heavy
seas were running.
Patrol vessels and destroyers i'm
mediately proceeded to the spot and a
party sent along the coast to search,
but only some bodies and capsized
boats have been found thus far. AS
the entire shore has been searched. /
greatly fear there is little hope of
there being any survivors. No report
has yet been received from the search
party ashore"
When the news regarding Kitchener
and his staff was received in London,
a meeting of the British war council
was Immediately called. Sir William
Robertson, chief of the imperial staff,
who probably will become head of the
war office, Sir Edward Grey, secretary
of foreign affairs, Reginald McKenna,
chancellor of the exchequer, and David
Lloyd George, minister of munitions,
were present at the council.