New Britain herald., 1916-06-06
EngIand's Greatest Soldier Goes Down When H. M. s. Hampshire Is Sunk By Either Mine or Torpedo While on Way to Russian
 Port With Minister of War
SEARCH FAILS TO
 LOCATE SURVIVORS

 Hero of Khartoum Was On Secret Mis- sion to Czar-WhoIe Life Continuous Story of Bravery, Aggressiveness and Confidence in His Own Ability to Carry Through Any Military Pro- ject-Severe Blow to England.
 London, June 6.-Admiral Jellicoe, commander of the British Grand Fleet, 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 a heavy sea was run ming. Only a capsized boat and some bodies have been found.
 Earl Kitchener was on his way to Russia. Admiral Jellicoe reports there is little hope that there were any sur vivors.
 Jellicoe's Report.
 Admiral Jellicoe's report to the ad- miralty follows:
 T have to report with deep regret that His Majesty's ship Hampshire, Capt. Herbert J. Savill, R. N. with Lord Kitchener and his staff on board, was sunk last night at about D. rn., to the west of the Orkneys, either by a mine or torpedo.
 -Four boats were seen by observers on shore to leave the ship. The wind was north-northwest and heavy seas were running. Patrol vessels and destroyers at once proceeded to the spot and a party was sent along the coast to search but only some bodies and a capsized boat have been found up to the present. As the whole shore has been searched from the sea- ward, I greatly fear that there Is lit tie hope of there being any survivors. No report has yet been received from the search party on shore.
 HI. M. s. Hampshire was on her way to Russia.''
 The, names of the members of Earl Kitchener's staff have not yet been learned.
 Sir William Robertson, chief of the anperial staff is in London.
 England's Greatest Soldier.
 Earl Kitchener was appointed sec retary of state for war on August 8, 1914 a few days after Great Britain's declaration of war on Germany. He was regarded as England's greatest soldier and the decision of the gov ernment to entrust him with supreme direction of the war was received with unanimous approval.
 As the war progressed and Great Britain's deficiencies in certain direc- tions, particularly in regard to short age of artillery ammunition, became apparent Earl Kitchener was sub jected to severe criticism, led by Lord Northcliffe. The secretary was charged with responsi bility for failure to foresee the extraordinary demand for heavy shells, and as result the ministry of munitions was formed, with David Lloyd George at it's head.
 Earl Kitchener's responsibilities were further lessened by the appoint ment of General Sir William Robert son as chief of the imperial staff in December of last year. It was report ed at this time that friction had aris- en between Earl Kitchener and Field Marshal French, then in command of the British forces in France. Shortly after the appointment of Gen. Rob ertson, Field Marshal French relin- quished his command.
 Accomplishments Recognized.
 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 untrained manhood nt the war Great Britain had only a few hundred thousand trained men. To- day more than 5,00O,00O men are en- rolled for the various branches of the service.
 There have been no recent reports o1 Earl Kitchener's movements. He was last mentioned in the cable despatches of Friday, when he went to Westmin. Bter Palace to be questioned by mem bers of the house of commons who were not satisfied with the conduct Ot the war. No intimatiOn was giVer that he intended to leave England.
 The Orkney Islands, off which the Hampshire went down, are off the north coast of Scotland. The Hamp shire was on her way into the Allan tic and around the northern end O. the Scandinavian Peninsula into tho White sea. Earl Kitchener probabl1 Intended to debark at Archangel.
 Hampshire Carried 855 in Crew.
 The Hampshire was one of the Dev' onshire class of six cruisers. She wa: built in 1903 and normally carried 65;