"Die-Hard" Dead

In the Army, it is well known that officers who rise from the ranks make the most severe disciplinarians. Lord Milner, who died last week from sleeping sickness at his country seat, Sturry Court, near Canterbury, rose from the professional class. He usurped the seats of the mighty. He became more reactionary than the average "diehard" Tory.

Alfred Milner was born 71 years ago, the son of a modestly fortuned country physician. Educated in English, in German schools, at Oxford, he became a barrister. From law, he turned to politics. He ran, or, as the English say, "stood" for Parliament as a Liberal-and was defeated. So he became private secretary to the then Chancellor of the Exchequer. Soon satellites began to revolve around him and he became, if not popular, at least "well thought of." His political ascent was rapid.

South Africa. His big chance came when, in 1897, he was sent to South Africa as High Commissioner. His send-off is a landmark in the history of the Liberal Party.

He had been sent to Cape Colony to seek a solution of the grave difficulties with the Boer republics. Yet in speech he showed himself an Imperialist and did not mend matters by referring to the South African British as "helots." He foresaw war with the Boers, undoubtedly hastened its advent, which he believed inevitable. He stayed in South Africa throughout the South African War (1899-1902), was rewarded for his services by a viscounty and the Governorship of the Transvaal and the Orange River Colony.

The House of Lords. In 1905, he returned to the House of Lords as a Conservative and just as much at his ease as he had been in the bosom of the Liberal Party. He became a stern enemy of Lloyd George's radical budgets and, in 1909, advised the House of Lords to reject the year's Finance Bill and "damn the consequences." The House did. Two ensuing general elections brought their lordships face to face with the problem of whether they should pass a bill to abolish their financial veto or should reject it and cause King George to create a batch of peers sufficient to carry the bill. Even such confirmed Tories as the late Lord Minto frowned on the latter alternative, but Lord Milner stuck to his guns and advised the House to resist to the end. It did not, and he was beaten.

The War. In 1914, he again came to the front, serving on several advisory committees. In 1918, he became Secretary of State for War, remaining in that post until after the end of the War. It was largely owing to his influence that General Foch was appointed Generalissimo of the Allied Armies in France.

The Post-War Period. After the "khaki elections" of 1918, he was made Secretary of State for the Colonies. He, studious Imperialist, had acquired an amazing knowledge of the Dominion Colonies and Dependencies. The War had convinced him that only by a system of preferential tariffs could the British Commonwealth of Nations be welded into an economic unity and, as in everything else, he never wavered in this conviction.

His last great act was unfolded in the ancient land of Egypt. He was sent to that country after the revolt of 1919 to report on a "form of constitution best calculated to promote Egyptian peace and prosperity." The constitution that he recommended is now in effect and not a bit liked by the Egyptians.

In 1921, having a year before returned from Egypt, he resigned, was awarded the Most Noble Order of the Garter for his illustrious services and, in the same month, married the widow of Lord Edward Cecil.