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Interesting Particulars of the Struggle Betwecn

Great

PIELD-MARSHAL

ERRS.

LORD ROB

V.C, GSA Sede GALLS.

By Maor ARTHUR GRIFFITH

A ng he - issenvgers on b yar T elew P. & QO. steamer Ripon, which lefi Soutrampton, England, in February,

1852, to perform the stage of the so cai overland route to India, was a vouth named Frederick Roberts, who ist been appointed to a cadetship | inthe Bengal Artillery. Some there are who still remember that youth on

had

} what would most appeal to an ardent ; and shell.

THE DAILY

See PT eT

———

Britain and the Boers.

that gave hima chance of snowing cendency, so quietly but firmly exer- what he was werth cised, that we may trace the simple but

His first great aspiration was to get implicit faith that all, including his “the jacket ;’ to. be appointed to that native rervents, have reposed in him. famous branch of his corps, the Horse Although the most dangerous episodes Artillery, with its grand traditions and of the of the Mutiny he was waited on its gorgeous dress. The Bengal quite as a matter of course even under Horse Artillery had done much in the the hottest fire. His kitmutgar, or na-- unceasing conflict that had consolidat- tive butler, brought him: his meals regu- ed the Indian Empire; and its splendid larly in the battery on Delhi; his appearance, with goid-braided jackct | grooms waited with his horse wherever and leopard-colored helmet, was just ordered regardless of the storm of shot In the middle of the fierce young military spirit. onslaught of the Afghans upon

When Roberts gained this, his first | Sherpur, his bath attendant came coveted prize he pined for yet more.| to him in the thick of the fight and He soan obtained an appointment on | touched him quickly in the shoulder,

that, the outset of a remarkable career:

theyr m emberhim as a small, delicate-} Genera), a branch of the staff in which | that was his duty—what was expected

looking, very despondent lad, who did |

not take kindly to the profession in whch he was destinéd to earn great fane

H- appeared hipped and homesick and very sorry for hirrself, doubtful ' whether he would be able to stand the Indian climate, as his health from chiidhood had been precarious. The heat in the Red Sea nearly over- powered him, and he was heard to ex-- press wonder how any fighting could be done in India under its torrid sun.

Yet to India and the great oppor- tunities that soon came to him, to be turned to ~such splendid account, he owes everytiing—name and fortune, and the high esteem of his fellowmen. Nearly half a century since that sorrow- ful debut, he again embarked on the service of his country, a peer, a field-- marshal, a leader of such acknowledged prowess and power that every eye turned to him as the man most likely to briny; England through a gfeat national crisis.

Lord Roberts is approaching the limit of man’s allotted term, but two years short of the three-score and ten that enc! most lives; but he is still the hard-bitten, wiry, indefatig- | abe. irrepressible worker of the old | day-, one who has quite grown out of! il-nealth, and who can still ride to hounds with the first flight; who de-| tights in lawn tennis, and is an en- thusiastic cyclist.

When suddenly called upon to start | for South Africa he went with as little

fuss as though he had merely to call a’ ab. It was nthis prompt, straight-; forward way that he hurried down to Wdcin: forty years ago, when all artil- Micers were gathered in to help at ihe siege. travelling down from Peshawur in the mail cart with no |

than a thin roll of bed-!

more baggage dus, his saddle, bridle and sword.

As the child is father to the man, so | the Lieutenant foreshadowed the

hicld-Marsha! Roberts displayed in early life the same traits that have since gained him great distinction. |

He was ambitious in the best sense,

ce , from the very first, repining much in his youth for the opportunities ;

that tarried, eager at all times; to tirow himself into any line of work = aaa

the staff, under the Quarter—master| with the simple words, ‘‘Bath ready ; ”

EXAMINER, CHARLOTTETOWN, MARCH 3,

)} men.

as when the

he remained almost without a break, rising higher and higher, until he left it finally at its head.

What Roberts did in the Mutiny, at Delhi, Cawnpore, Lucknow,—his presence at all the serious actions of momentous issue, his personal gallant- try and constant unquestioning expos- ure of his life—al! these are recorded in history andfare too well known to need recapituiation. He was still only a sub- ordinate, a youngster, on his promo- tion, and richly deserving it, but ended with no more reward than the rank of brevet-major, the decoration of the V. C., and a promising reputation. Long years of peace service tollowed, broken only by small campaigns into the Umbeyla country, in the expedition to Abyssinia under Napier, and against the Looshi, when, as usual, he did good service, and more firmly estab- lished his military reputation. Asa staff officer his value was shown in the compliation of various works, such as “route books” and other regulations for marches to inculcate that topo- graphical knowledge so necessary in such a vast territory as India.

One of the secrets of Roberts’ suc- cess has no dovbt been his personal influence upon his staff as upon all who come in contact with him.

In a lesser sense, as regards the rank and file, Lord Roberts has always enjoyed the fullest cenfidence of his This may be partly due to the tact that he has always been success- ul. Troops are quickly brought to believe in a general’s capacity, and particularly ia his luck. Little “Bobs” has never yet been beaten, although there were some near shaves in his second Afghan campaign rising en masse of the whole of the tribes about Kabul obliged him to evacuate the city, and Bala-Hissar, to take refuge in the Sherpur cantonments.

That was a very near thing, for quite 100,000 Afghans surrounded his small force of 10,000, not half of them Brit-- ish; and when they made their great attack on the 23rd December, 1879, but for Roberts’. excellent dispositions and the pluck of his men, he must have been overwhelmed.

It was no doubt to his personal as--

SLES eS

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TYPICAL

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CRONJE’S COMMAND

{Bostou Globe

| paign, by: his native orderlies, of whom

of him, just as be was sure his master expected to wash even in the middle of a battle.

The most touching devotion to his person was shown in the Afghan cam-

he had two Sikhs, two Ghoorkas, and two Pathans. They never left him; two or more followed him wherever he went, night or day; they had always the best news of what was in zhe wind, and if there was any dangerous busi-

ness afootthey turned out and kept close to _ their beloved general wherever he might _ go. If he got into a_ tight place,

they were there to keep him from harm if they could; and in one fight a tall Sikh stood in front of him with his arms outstretched to shelter his small chief, and receive any bullet that might have endangered Roberis’ lite.

Throughout the whole service Lord Roberts has ever identified himself with his troops. His first thought has been for them, and for ther comfort | and well being.

COL. KEKEWICH. DESERVES TO RANK WITH THE GALLANT AND INTREPID OF BRITISH SOLDIERS,

MOST

(Arthur Griff in London Mail.)

Of the many momentous lessons taught by the present war, that which may belaid closely to heart is that youth is a nearly priceless gift in a command- erofmen. There are, of course, ex- ceptions to every rule; cases may be quoted where hale and hearty veterans have achieved abiding success, and at this moment great issues are controll- ed by the aged commander-in-chief of South Africa.

But for executive work the young and active have obviously and neces- sarily the best of it. They more than make upin energy, dash and sustained hopefuiness of the slow wisdom that maturity gives. There are, moreover, old heads to be found on young shoulders, and the freshness of spirit that has supported such men as Baden- Powell, Kekewich, Pilcher, and Plumer in their arduous tasks has been allied with much cool, calm judgment and abounding self-reliance. It is to these comparatively youthful officers that we owe the most brilifant flashes in the dark pall of disappointment. And they are young.

Col. Baden-Powell is only 42, Lieut- Col. Kekewich is 45, Lieut. Col. Pilcher is 41, Lieut.-Col. Plumer just a year older. Another name might be mentioned in this connection, de- spite the failure with which it is asso ciated: that of Major Thorneycroft,who held the Spion Kop with his _ local regiment until it was all cut up and swept out of existence. We have it on the authority of their general respon- sible really for the reverse that the young leader of forty did all that man could do in his terrible position.

Robert George Kekewich, who de- serves to rank with the most gallant and intrepid of British soldiers, is a Devonshire man—one of the Keke- wiches of Peamore, near Exeter. He entered the army from the militia in 1874, gazetted to the One Hnndred | and Second Regimeut, but passing almost at once to the Third East Kent, the historical and ever-famous “Buffs.”

| He was soon noted for his devotion ito his} work, and within a couple of | years gained the best reward that a ; young officer can secure—-the appoint- ment of adjutant to his regiment, —a post that demands much know- ledge of drill and detail, and yet more insight into character and powers of- command. He was now to see ser vice for the first time, and when just ! of age accompanied his regiment, when quartered at Singapore, on the Perak

~_—_—

;added many useful

1900

WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA,

HOW

rHE MAKING A PONTOON BRIDGE.

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expedition, planned for the coercion of j eleven years’ service, but the full a native rajah and arebellious tribe. For nearly ten years more Keke- ' another five years, and then in another wich was to be denied further oppor-| regiment, the Inskilling Fusiliers. tunity for distinction. ‘Through most! While in this rank he had the good of the time he continued adjutant to| fortune to jein the staff of the com- his regiment, working still in the same! mander-in-chief in MadYas as military practical school, that of the manage- | secretary, and after that to fill the same ment ofmen. His next chance came | appointment to the lieutenant-general in 1884, when the tardy dispatch of | in that garrison in 1898. He was the Nile expedition to attempt the | brought into the Loyal North Lanca- rescue of Charles Gordon from Khar- | shire as its lieutenant-colonel, specially toum called into requisition a number | selected for the commard at a time of ‘special service” officers and Keke-| when the regiment wanted pulling wich’s regimental record in the/ together. It was a mere accident that “Buffs” won him selection with the| it was serving at Cape Town last rest. spring, and little else that took him To his excellent antecedents he | northward to Kimberley with a portion personal traits. | of the regiment a short time before it He was already known as a sound, | was beleagured. safe young fellow, of untiring energy, His career since then has been pub- and a happy, tactful manner in deal-| lic property, and his name will ever be ing with others, above and below him. | asseciated with one of the most gallant His appointment to the staff of the | defencesin our military annals. Full expedition as deputy-assistant adjutant | details are still wanting to de justice to and quarter-master general was alto- | his efficient leadership, but we can ap- gether right, and he soon proved it. preaciate his fine qualities from the Nor did the withdrawal of Wolse- | results achieved. Undaunted tenacity ley’s force from the Soudan end his | in ths first place; unlimited resource-- connection with Egypt as a theatre or | fulness, for never have defensive means war. When Osman Digna and the! been more lacking atthe outset of a desert tribes broke into disturbance on | siege or more cleverly improvised and the Red Sea littoral, there was a briet | developed during the progte:s. campaign from Suakim under Sir He has shown himself a jack-of-all- Francis Grenfell, in which Capt. Keke- | trades, a master of all arms — versatile, wich acted as brigade-major to the} fertile in expedient, skilful, in manipu- British troops engaged. , Jation of men and material. His keen, He was now only brevet major after | practised eyes fixed betimes upon the

BIG PICNIC Saturday

ENGINEERS BRIDGED OVER EHE TUGELA—COLONIAL TROOPS

{ Boston Glob

regiment rank was not given him for‘ gently controlled his | throwing up works

most defensible points, he has intelij. = engineers jin . ang his artillery ig arming them, in every sortie made, in- every engagement, and he has never = accepted a merely passive role; the | strictest principles have been observed 4 and, whether by ruse and Strategem 3 open atiack, he has never failed +. =] score a success. &§ In person, Col. Kekwich was jne ~ clined to a full habit, but no doubt his ceaseless anxieties, no less the hard fare of a garrison on short commons have told upon him, thinning and fining him down. He is of a cheery, light- hearted nature, a pleasant companion, and his kindness of herrt is shown in his remarkable fondness for children,

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—-— ee eee sense semaines

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

—The Montreal Herald says : “There can be, there must be, no dragoening of eur fellow citizens of French bleod inton support of imperialism. Ifit isdesirasle thas they and ell Camadians sheuld look to the iocorporation of this nation intoa confeleracy ef British nations, the only way to attain that end is by appeals tothe reasoning powers, oot by diatribes direeted againet theirloyal y.” Hear! Hear!

asd < te Be

Why is it thatagirl orboy will get & eleepy sooner studying their lessonstban they will reading a novel,

Bh Pe

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Oe Fics

AT “MY STORE”

among the small wares.

Forty-five Baskets all over the store filled with all the useful

smal] wares at give away prices.

Toilet Covers. Mens Ties, Hooks & Eyes, Shoe Brushes, Maypole Soayps, Boot Laces, Buttons,

Dress Trimmings, School Bags, Shawl Straps, Handkerchiefs, Hatpins, Ladies’ Ties, Collars,

Cuffs,

Combs, Brushes, Cloth Brushes, Towel Racks, Whisks,

Side Combs, Hairpins, Safetypins, Val Lace, Kdgings, Veilings, Frillings, Embroidery Silks, Crewel Woo,

Here®you'll get what you want and want what you'll get at the

smallest prices we know how to make,

COME EARLY

There wrill be a

You'll find.— - .

Hose Suspenders, Shirt Supporters, Handkerchief Boxes, Purses,

Card Cases, | Baby Ribbon, ‘ Toilet Mats, Puff Boxes,

Buoties,

Mitties,

Embroideries,

Cords, Tassels,

Fringes, Baskets, |

etc, efc, etc.

RUSH

Feil

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