LORD MILNER.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 166, 25 July 1901, Page 3

LORD MILNER.

HONORED BY CITIZENS OF LONDON. A GRAND RECEPTION. STIRRING SPEECH. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright London, July 24. Dense crowds assembled at Guildhall, including Mr Chamberlain, Lord Selboume, Mr Goschen, the Duke of Devonshire, Lord Cromer, Sir Claude McDonald, and other notables, in connection with the ceremony of presenting Lord Milner with the freedom of the city of London. Lord Milner, who was received with ringing cheers, made a speech, in which he emphasised the remarkable, the almost phenomenal steadfastness of the bulk of the nation, and the virtual unanimity on the main issue. Few, he said, were willing to purchase peace by concessions compromising the future and popularising rebellion by treating deliberate crimes as strained treason or a vonal offence. The country, on the other hand, resolved to treat the burghers with such fairness and generosity as would help them to accept the position and to ultimately acquire the sentiments of British citizenship. The work of reconstruction, he said, was proceeding, despite all drawbacks.

Ho pointod to the bold development of the natural resources of the annexed Republics, the gradual and prudent introduction of self-government to heal old sores, create new interests, and bring the divers sections to co-operatu for the common good. It would, he said, be by giving the world an object lesson of good Government and of reviving industries in the more or less sottled districts that the struggle would bo ended.

The Times London correspondent writes “ Lord Milner is the only man whose peerage has ever been gazetted

within four or five days of its conferment. Sir Alfred’s new title was conferred upon him on the day of his arrival—Friday—and gazetted on tho following Tuesday. In the case of Lord Roberts, no less a period than four weeks elapsed between the conferment of the earldom and the date it was gazetted. This delay was inevitable. It was understood, although unusual expedition was used. The illumination of tho patent itself is tho work of several days. In Lord Milner's ease every possible delay was anticipated. Tho poor that was to be was consulted before ho left Capetown as to tho title he would take, and tho patent was made out in advance, so that tho first action of the King, after greeting his High Commissioner, was to sign the patent of nobility. It is evident that the Government intend to leave no stone unturned to convince “all whom it may concern” that however distasteful ho may be to the Boers, Lord Milner represents the embodied opinion of his country, and that hik policy has tho fullest support of those whose business it is to follow the dictates of tho country’s will. If this firm and unyielding attitude of tho Government brings things in the Transvaal to a sudden settlement, well and good, but will it?

There arc threo other noticeablo circumstances in connection with tho new peer. Lord Milner is the first poor who has taken his title from lodgings ; the first statesman who, having been received on his arrival in London by almost the whole Administration, was taken on directly to the Sovereign ; and tho first guost within memory who, having been invited to dine and sleep at Windsor Castle, has boon commanded to stay another night. Lord Milner's friends make very light of those troublos of health which arc the plea of his presont visit to England. Wearied and in noed of rest ho may well bo, but thus fur tho South African climate has suited him well, l’olitical business only has brought him to London. As everybody knows, the Cabinet to-day consists of two not exactly antagonistic, but slightly differing sections—tho Chamborlainito and tho luiti-Chamborlainito. The High Commissioner, it is with good reason expoeted by tho former, will bo able to give Lord Salisbury absolutely conclusive facts and arguments in favor of tho no-compromise policy advocated by tho Colonial Secrotary. In Lord Milner’s intellect and temper, as well as in his handsome and pleasant physiognomy, is not a little suggestive of German associations. Theso Teutonic affinities partly explain j the bitterness which lie has excited against himself amongst some of tho Boers, who, on tho strength of Milner’s connections with their German kinsmen, seemed to have looked for some sympathy with their own political aspirations. ,