The sun., 1917-09-30
Gen. White Praises
Irish as Soldiers
British Recruiting Officer in This
Country Tells of Their Loyalty
and Bravery Everywhere

"fiave you, I wonder, heard of the
singing Of the Connaught Rangers?
Oh. yes. they can sing as well as
fight. Did you ever know an Irish.
man who could not sing?"
He did not wait for reply to either
Of his questions. Here is the story.
It has been told many times, but il
corroborates Gen. Whites view of the
Irishman, and I repeat 1t for that
reason:
"On December 2s, 1914. the Germans
attacked the trenches in front of them
at a particular point. The Gordon
Highlanders Ia Scottish regimentl.
who held the trenches. got out TO meet
tie enemy as he came on in the open.
There was a close fight with varying
success. but the Germans were reen-
forced. and. as there were only about
200 Gordons left, 1t seemed as II they
would be destroyed.
But just then there was a sound Of
singing. God Save Ireland was the
song. The Connaught Rangers ap-
peared. and But Private McGregor
told in a letter home Of the conclu-
sion of that fight:
"'Well, I have seen some reckless
Irishmen in my time, but nothing to
match the recklessness and daring OF
these gallant Rangers. They took the
Germans on the left flank. The Ger
mans now probably numbered about
1000. against 500 Connaughts and 10
Of u.s. but were they $4,000 ] don't
believe in my soul they could have
stood before the Irish.
| "'The Connaughts simply were ir.
resistible, and all the time they kept
singing. Ono red haired son Of Erin,
having broken his riffe. got possession
Of German ofrcer's sword. and every
thing that came in the way Of this
1rishman went down. thought Of
Wallace. Four hundred and seventy
Huns were killed or wounded. and we
took seventy prisoners.
| HAD It not been for the Irish
wouldn't be writing this. and when
It comes to a hand to hand Job there
is nothing in the whole British army
TO approach them.'"
Gen. Whites Career.
"And you have faith in the irish.
man. Gen. White?" said.
IT have implicit faith in him-ai-
ways"
The interview was ended. and as
came away I thought Of Redmond's
words:
"Ireland's sons are fighting for Ire
lands honor and her interest. and
they are fighting too for honor, justice
freedom and pity. Acting with and
through her sister democre cies. Can.
ada. Australia. New Zealand. South
Africa and Great Britain--in al! Of
which. as in the great Republic of the
West. her children are a potent leaven
her spirit will help to bend the Brit
ish Empire to mission Of new sig
nificance for humanity. That is the
heritage Of their tradition"
From soldier now in New York
from England I learned a little Of
Gen. Whites story. About forty-ti five
years ago he was born in Hertford-
shire. AS a lad in school and college
he showed particular fondness for all
sorts Of athletic sports. and he soon
became a we'll known athlete. being
quite as much at home in the water
as on the land.
He entered the field Of war during
the South African campaign, going
out as a Lieutenant and returning to
England as a Major. From the be-
ginning until the end OF that war h"
served with distinction which won
for him repeated mentions for valiant
services, and besides the Queens
Medal with Ave clasps and the King $
Medal with two clasps.
Until he Joined the stan Of the Brit
ish army Gen. Whites military career
was passed with the Connaught Rang
ers.
Just a short time ago Gen. White
came to this country for the British
War ONCE. But previous to that he
had served on the stan in France and
had been invelided home. For his ser
vices in France he was decorated by
J the British Government and made a
Companion the Order Of ST
, Michael and ;eorge. BY the French
Government he vas made an Officer OF
the Legion Of Honor.