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"HATS OFF TO ANZAGS."
FRENCH GENERAL'S TRIBUTE.
"Best Soldiers of Any War."
LONDON. 17th July.
General Gouraud, the famous French
General, who lost an arm at Gallipoli, and
commanded a French army in the final
offensive iu France, stated in an inter
view: — "1 adore my Poilus, but 1 say
'hats off to the British Twenty-ninth Divi
sion and to Binlwood's Auzacs. They are
magnificent — the best soldiers any has
produced.' "
The Twenty-Ninth Division consisted
mainly of the Dublin, Minister and Lan
cashire Fusiliers aud the Hampshire Regi
ment. In his reports, Sir Iau Hamilton
invariably referred to the division as the
"incomparable Twenty-Ninth."
Statue in Amiens Cathedral.
France is erecting .the statue of an
Australian soldier in Amiens Cathedral, in
recognition of the Australian victory at
Villers-Bretouneux, which saved the city
from the Germans.
FAREWELL TO BIRDWOOD.
He Sums Up the "Digger."
"SO EASY TO LEAD; SO HARD TO
, DRIVE."
LONDON, 19th July.
Major-General Sir H. Chauvel, formerly
commanding the Australian Light Horse
in Palestine, presided at a farewell dinner
given by Australian officers to General Sir
W. R. Birdwood at the Connaught rooms
The Prince of Wales, Senator Pearce,
Lieut. -General Sir J. Monash, Major-Gene-
ral Sir C. Rosenthal, Major-Genera1 Sir J.
Hobbs, General Sir W. Robertson, Sur-
geon-General Howse, General Sir Ian
Hamilton, and 300 Australian officers were
present.
The Prince of Wales was accorded a
great ovation 011 rising to respond to the
toast of his health. He expressed pleasure
at attending the dinner to General Bird-
wood. These were historic days of rejoic
ing. He, however, could not help feeling
sorry there were not more "diggers" to
take part in the Peace pageant, but doubt
less they were happy to be on their way
back to Australia. It had been his good
fortune to see u great deal of the Austra
lian forces during the war, both in Egypt
and 011 the Sommo. He had also spent
Christmas and the New Year with them. 11
was a very happy month. He hoped to
have an early opportunity to visit Aus
tralia.
"I realise," the Prince said, "what whole
hearted participation the Dominions gave
in the great struggle. It upset the Ger
man plans a great deal. They had not ex
pected it. Although pcnco has been signed,
difficult timei sre ahead, but I am sure
the great British spirit, which carried us
through five years of War, will help us to
solve the serious problems of the future."
Sir H. Ohauvel, in proposing the health
of Sir W. Birdwood, said the keynote to
his (Sir W. Birdwood's) success was his
sympathy, together with his utter disre
gard for his personal safety.
Senator Pearce supported the toast. The
Government, he. said, had invited Sir Wil
liam Birdwood to Australia in order that
Australia might show its appreciation of
his services
Sir William Birdwood. in replying to the
great ovation he received, paid a tribute
to the work of the Australian officers, who
had kept a hand on the steering gear. He
added that with his whole, heart he loved
the Australian nrmy. Those magnificent
"diggers" had struek him as great trust
ing children — so easy to lead, and so hard
to drive.
Work of Demobilisation.
ONLY INDISPENSABLES REMAIN.
There are still 7189 Australians undergo
ing educational and vocational training,
but the numbers are rapidly decreasing.
Practically all Australians who are anxious
to return home have now been shipped.
Only indispcnsables, connected with staff ,
work, remain in the various. camps,
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