Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-05

pose. In the highest army examina-
tons young Capt. Smith-Dorrien came
out highest. He stood first in England.
and perhaps first in Europe. for the
brilliance and soundness Of his theo-
retical knowledge in strategy.
Curiously enough, the fabric of the
study was built up on the great con-
tinental campaigns of Marlborough
and Napoleon-that is, he went over
in theory the very ground on which
he scored to such brilliant practical
purpose in the fateful days of Mons.
He examined and analyZed the military
purpose of that ground with an inf
mite capacity for making sure. and it
is considered that he knew the local
ity so well, SO infinitely in detail of
road and hill, river and village. that he
almost could have gone through 1t
blindfolded. That is, perhaps, the rea-
son underlying the greatness of his
achievement.
OF his exploits and his courage in the
field during his many campaigns
hundred stories told. One of the
liveliest of his experiences happened in
his early days in the Zulu war. when
he was present at 1Sandela and Clundi.
He then had an extremely narrow eS-
cape. He happened to be dismounted
when set upon by a body of Zulus. His
horse took the precaution to bolt and
Smith Dorrien followed its example
and did record two-mile run into
camp, understanding his pursuerS. Prob
ably this experience accounts for his
insistence on soldiers going in for
cross-country running. Anyhow, il
earned for him the name of the scarlet
runner" He still has the boots in
which he performed this exploit, but
they are SoleleSS.
In the South African campaign
Smith-Dorrien more than once risked
his life to save his men. At Doorn-
kop. the Gordons. mad with the lust
of fighting, had advanced dangerously
far. Smith-Dorrien, who was the brig
adler, rode straight across the enemy's
front, amid a hail of bullets. and or
dered the men back. thus saving them
from being surrounded by the Beers.
On being reproached afterward for
mourning the risk he had run. he re-
piled. We'll. it had to be done, and I
could hardly ask any one to do it for
me-"
In that South African campaign his
outstanding qualities deeply impressed
Kitchener. whose high opinion of him
has never wavered. IN this connection
a good story is told of Smith-Dorrien's
appointment to the command at Alder
shot. When Sir John French vacated
the position the selection board de-
cideo 10 caple hitchener, inviting him
to mention any generals in India who
might be suitable for the Aldershot
Kitchener cabled back:
Only got one-Smith-D orrien-too
good to lose" The committee recoe-
nlzed the subtle compliment contained
in the typically curt cable. aud
Kitchener lost the finest divisional
general he has ever had under him,
Smith Dorrien married in 1902. Miss
Olive Schneider, British soldiers
no
has proved herself her husbands equal
in tireless energy. She has done no
end of war work. lot of it on be-
half ofthe fighting mems dependents,
and with other things has been the
means of collecting and sending to
the front over half a million hospital
bags" These are designed for the safe
keeping of any little personal relics
that Tommy may possess.
Copyright, 1916. BY Curtis Bsown) Il