17 NOVEMBER 1917, Page 24

AN AUSTRALIAN PROTEST.

' (To ran EDITOR or roe " Srscreroa.")

Sts,—I have to-day received a cutting from the Spectator of Octo- ber 9th under the heading, "An Australian Protest." It isaLleged that I made a certain statement regarding the Australian troops. I have the greatest respect and affection for the Australian and New Zealand troops, and have spoken to General Anderson of their fine qualities, but I have never made the comparison alleged, which, if I had made it, would have been most unfair and unjust so my Territorial divisions, which never once failed me.-1 am, ARCHIBALD MI HAAT, Lieut.-General. Government House, Farnborough, Hants, Norember 11th.

We are glad to be the means of conveying to Australians Sir Archibald Murray's repudiation of an expression of praise which they deemed excessive and invidious, and therefore offensive to themselves. As we said at the time, we thought that Sir Archibald Murray might never have used the words attributed to him, but that even if he had we should not have been disposed to blame him. There are times when you cannot " err on flattery's side." Every one understands words in their proper context. In any case, it should now be plain to all that Australians want to be regarded AS no more titan gallant men among a great company of gallant men.—En. Spectator.]