West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-06-08
KIteheuer's Death staggers EngIand

Kitcheuer's Death Staggers England
LONDON, June 6.-All Britain was
stunned tonight by grief over the targ-
&c loss OF Earl Kitchener. who, with
his entire stan as Secretary OF State
for War. was drowned of the Orkney
Islands when the cruiser Hampshire,
on which they were voyaging TO Rus
STA, was sunk either by a mine or a
torpedo. The casualties probably will
total five hundred.
Official hope OF Earl Kitchener be-
ing found alive was indicated as en-
tirely abandoned when the press bu-
reau announced tonight that memorial
services would be held I'm st. Paul's
at date as yet unfixed.
An early order also was issued by
the King directing that officers shall
wear mourning for the last War Sec
rotary for the week commencing to-
morrow.
AS soon as the first shock Of the
news had passed q meeting of the Brit
ish war council was called. 1t was
reported following this meeting that
General Sir William Robertson. chief
OF the Imperial staff, whom Earl
Kitchener left in charge OF the war
office, probably would succeed Earl
Kitchener as head OF the war office.
The news of England's greatest per-
ofV fhn
stunned London. already used to
shocks, was issued in the following
formal bulletin:
"The Admiralty reports with deem
regret that the ship Hampshire, with
Lord Kitchener and his stan on board
was sunk last night about O'Clock
off the Orkney Islands by mine OIL
torpedo.
-Four boats were seen by observers
on the shore to leave the ship. Heavy
seas were running, but patrol vessels
and destroyers at once proceeded &c
the scene
THE whole shore has been searched
from seward, but it is greatly feared
that there is little hope for any sur
vivors.
mo report has yet been received
from the searching party on shore"
A late announcement from the Ad
miralty said that the searching par.
ties, sent out in boats along the coast
had found only bodies of the drowned
and one capsized boat There wa.
still the faint hope that possibly some
might have reached shore and pro
ceeded inland in search of aid. Or
account of the high sea, however. thi.
was not considered likely, and the AID
miralty did not encourage the hope Of
any survivors being found.
1t was stated that the Hampshire
was on her way to Russia, where Kit
chener was to hold conferences will
the officials at Petrograd
The Hampshire was I'm command Of
Capt. Herbert ]. Savill. The report
of the loss of the ship was telegrapheC
to the Admiralty by Admiral Sir Johr
Jellicoe, commander of the British
home fleets.
Lord Kitchener had been Secretary
of State for War since August 5, 1914
the day after which declarations Of
war were exchanged between England
and Germany.
The death of Kitchener, the one
strong man in whom the British EN-
pire had put it's trust since fightin,
began in Europe, came as a terrific
and staggering blow.
Lord Kitchener was &C years old
having been born in Ballylongford
County Kerry, Ireland, on June "a
1850.
Public CONSERVATION and amaze
ment followed the announcement tina
Lord Kitchener and his stan were SEN
to their deaths by mine or torpedo
Crowds gathered in Whitehall abou
the war office, seeking further details
following the formal announcement o.
the loss of tx. of X"
The flag on the war Office was a.
half mast and the blinds of the Office,
were drawn
The crowd received no further in
formation, and the air of the official.
indicated clearly that they held NJ
hope that Kitchener might have es
capped
Surprise was expressed that a cruis
er bearing the Minister of War coul,
have been destroyed either by tor
pedo or a mine. II is probable tina
the question whether the cruiser ha,
an escort and whether she was pro
vided with any protection against sub
marines will be put directly to thu
government.
Many comments were heard I'm tn,
crowd about the war Office. Many re
marked that IL "was lucky II didn'
happen before CONSUMPTION became Of
fective." They referred to the grea
power Of Kitchener's name i'm sumu
lating voluntary recruiting.
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