St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1916-06-07
ship LOST;
KITCHENER
DROWNED
Went Down With His Staff and
The Cruiser Hampshire Off
Orkney Islands
HIT MINE OR TORPEDO
Most Stunning Blow to England of the
War-Other Members of His
Party Were Strong Men In the
English Government
Mourning Ordered.

London, June 6.-The news
that Lord Kitchener, secretary Of
war and his staff who were pro-
.ceeding to Russia on a secret mis-
sion had been lost at sea was the most
stunning blow England has received
since the outbreak of the war. Lord
Kitchener was the one outstanding
personality the people talked of and
believed in as a great man notwith-
standing the newspaper attacks that
at one time threatened to undermine
his popularity. The official announce
ment of the disaster spread through
London before the newspapers could
get on the streets. Flags have been
placed at half mast on all the public
buildings.
The foreign office has lost a valued
while Sir Frederick Donaldson and
Brig. Gen. Ellershaw Of the ministry
of munitions were known as men the
government could not afford to lose.
disaster he came from Windsor and
sent for Premier Asquith. Later in
the day the King commanded that or
ders to all army officers should be is
sued directing them to wear mourning
for the period of a week.
There is no evidence TO show
whether the Hampshire was struck by
a mine or a torpedo. Many ships
have passed over the same route with
out harm in the past few weeks.
Admiral Jellicoe, commander of the
British grand fleet reported to the ad-
miralty that the British cruiser
Hampshire, with Earl Kitchener and
staff aboard, has been lost west of the
Orkneys. Four boats were seen to
leave the Hampshire, but heavy sea
was running. Only a capsized boat
and some bodies were found. Kitch-
ener was on his way to Russia. Ad-
miral Jellicoe reports there is little
hope of any survivors.
The early reports said that the
cruiser was sunk by a mine or a tor
pedo.
Admiral Jellico's report to the
admiralty is as follows:
IT have to report with deep regret
that his majesty's ship Hampshire,
Capt. Herbert ]. Saville, with Lord
Kitchener and staff aboard, was sunk
last night at s o'clock to the west OF
the Orkneys, either by mine or a
torpedo. -Four boats were seen by
shore observers to leave the ship. The
wind was north-northwest, and heavy
seas were running. Patrol vessels and
destroyers Immediately proceeded to
the spot and a party was sent along
- - -
bodies and one capsized boat has been
found up to the present. AS the
whole has been searched from the sea-
ward, greatly fear there is little hope
of there being any survivors. No re-
port has yet been received from the
searching party ashore. The Hamp-
shire was on the way to Russia"
There had been no recent reports OF
Lord Kitchener's movements, and
there was no indication that he in
tended to leave England.
When the news of the sinking OF
the cruiser Hampshire with Earl
Kitchener and staff aboard was re-
ceived here, a meeting of the British
war council was Immediately called.
Sir William Robertson, chief Of the
imperial staff, who probably will be-
come head Of the war Office Sir Ed
WarQ Grey, secretary Tor foreign al
fairs, Reginald McKenna, chancellor
of the exchequer, and David Lloyd
George, minister of munitions, were
present.
Built EngIand's Great Army.
Earl Kitchener was appointed sec
rotary Of state for war in August. 1914,
a few days after Great Britain's de-
claration Of war on Germany. He was
regarded as England's greatest sold
Ter, and Notwithstanding the criticism
directed against him, Kitchener's
greatest accomplishments during the
war were universally recognized. In
foremost Of his achievements was the
creation from England's unframed
manhood of a huge army. At the be-
ginning of the war Great Britain had
only a few hundred thousand trained
men. Today more than 100000 are
enrolled in the various branches of the
service.
Without his browning achievement
as the great organizer Of the British
campaign in the European war,
Kitchener had already won wide and
lasting fame by his many campaigns
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