One of the Royal Irish affords
valuable information -- Candidates for the appointment of
"Intelligence Officer" -- How one dealt with recommendations in
regard to jobs -- Linguists -- The discoverer of interpreters,
fifty produced as if by magic -- The Boy Scouts in the War Office
-- An Admirable Crichton -- The scouts' effective method of
handling troublesome visitors -- Army chaplains in embryo -- A
famous cricketer doing his bit -- A beauty competition outside my
door -- The Eminent K.C. -- An impressive personality -- How he
benefits the community -- The Self-Appointed Spy-Catcher -- Gun
platforms concealed everywhere -- The hidden dangers in disused
coal mines in Kent -- Procuring officers for the New Armies --
"Bill" Elliot's unorthodox methods -- The Military Secretary's
branch meets with a set-back -- Visits from Lord Roberts -- His
suggestion as to the commander-in-chiefship in China -- His last
visit -- The Antwerp business -- The strategical situation with
regard to the Belgian field army -- The project of our Government
-- The despatch of the Seventh Division and the Third Cavalry
Division to Belgian Flanders -- Organization of base and line of
communications overlooked -- A couple of transports "on their
own" come to a halt on the Goodwins -- Difficulty of the
strategical situation -- Death of Sir C. Douglas.

CHAPTER III

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