LORD KITCHENER'S START................................... 42
A first meeting with Lord Kitchener -- Sent up to see him in
Pretoria by his brother under unpromising conditions -- The
interview -- The Chief's pleasant reception -- A story of Lord K.
from the Sudan -- An unpleasant interview with him in August 1914
-- Rare meetings with him during the first two or three months --
His ignorance of War Office organization -- His lack of
acquaintance with many matters in connection with the existing
organization of the army -- His indisposition to listen to advice
on such subjects -- Lord K. shy of strangers -- His treatment of
the Territorial Forces -- Their weak point at the outset of
hostilities, not having the necessary strength to mobilize at war
establishment -- Effect of this on the general plans -- The way
the Territorials dwindled after taking the field -- Lord K.
inclined at first to pile up divisions without providing them
with the requisite reservoirs of reserves -- His feat in
organizing five regular divisions in addition to those in the
Expeditionary Force -- His immediate recognition of the
magnitude of the contest -- He makes things hum in the War Office
-- His differences of opinion with G.H.Q. -- The inability of
G.H.Q. to realize that a vast expansion of the military forces
was the matter of primary importance -- Lord K.'s relations with
Sir J. French -- The despatch of Sir H. Smith-Dorrien to command
the Second Corps -- Sir J. French not well treated at the time of
the Antwerp affair -- The relegation of the General Staff at the
War Office to the background in the early days -- Question
whether this was entirely due to its having suffered in
efficiency by the withdrawals which took place on mobilization --
The General Staff only eliminated in respect to operations.