BOER GENERALS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 505, 19 August 1902, Page 2

BOER GENERALS.

GENEROUS RECEPTION IN ENGLAND.

CHEERING CROWDS MOB TIIEIR SALOON.

GENERALS DECLINE TO WIT- ’ NESS NAVAL REVIEW,

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. London, Aug. 18.

The steamer Saxon, with Botha, Be Wet, ami De la Rev aboard* reached Portsmouth at ten o’clock on Saturday morning, and was met by Miss E. Hobhouse, Abraham Fischer, and Dr Clark for the Consul -Goneral in England of the South African Republics. A tremendous concourse cheered the generals lustily upon their landing; All three accepted invitations to witness the Naval Review, but later on, after thoy had consulted Fischer, they refused.

The lisitors, however, went aboard the steamer Nigeria, where Lord Kitchener introduced them to Lord Roberts and Mr Chamberlaim The latter had a long conversation with each oi them, and also ten minutes’- talk with Botha’s ,ten-year-old son., j

The Boers were entrained for London, and were received with wild enthusiasm at Waterloo station. They return to Cowes tokiay, and visit the King. Tie crowd mobbed the railway, saloon at Waterloo, crying, “ Good old Do Wet! Bravo soldiers 1 Wo arc all united.”, i

The railwac police and porters cleared a space to roach to the railway 'busses, which were cheered through the streets. Pressmen pursued the cabs to the hotel, but tho generals declined to givo interviews-;

They proceed to Holland shortly, oi Tuesday possibly, to attend the Uuieral of tho late Lucas Moyer.

THE LIONS OF THE HOUR.

GRACIOUS RECEPTION BY ROYALTY.

KING’S KINDLY SENTIMENTS,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrigh' London, Aug. 18.

Tho King had a very cordial fifteen minutes’ audience with the Boor Generals. Ho roferred to tho gallant manner thoy had fought, and the consideration and kindness wherewith they treated the British. He concluded with warm wishes for their future.

The Genorals feelingly acknowledged the gracious sentiments.

Afterwards they lunched with Lord Kitchener.

They were cheered during the journey from Southampton to London. Thoy informed tho newspaper representatives that thoy were delighted and much struck with tho King’s reeeptio j. Tho King, on the deck of the Royal yacht, wont towards tho gangway on their arrival, and after introducing himself shook hands with each.

Later on tho King introduced them to tho Queen and Princess Victoria, and Prince Arthur.

FISCHER’S COMMUNICATION,

OPINIONS ON THE CONTINENT,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrigh; (Received Aug. 19, 12.47 a.m.) London, Aug. 18.

Fischer seemed to be tho bearor of sorno important communication. At any rate when Capt. Marker, Lord Kitchonor’s Aide-de-camp, invited the Boer genorals to meet Lord Roberts, little enthusiasm was shown. They explained aboard the Nigoria that they had urgent family reasons which called them to London, wishing for a meeting with relatives, but forthwith they arranged to return on Sunday.to seo the King. After an audience they wero conducted, at tho King’s request, through the linos of warships. The Generals' absence from tho roview elated the pro-Boers in Paris, but some newspapers in France, Germany, and Belgium admit that tho Genorals are unlikely to east in their lot with Kruger and Leyds, and reasonably interpret tboir absence, one organ describing it as a mark of respect to tho lato Lucas Meyer. They consider that tho generous reception given to tho Generals is a sincere expression of admiration, King and people alike welcoming them as subjocts of the Crown.

The Times says that whilo it is right to show respect to a brave enemy and reasonably accept assurances of fidelity, the exuberance of emotion shown by London crowds is much in excess of what was appropriate to the unworthy spirit with which the struggle was conducted on both sideß.

Received 12.58 a.m., Aug. 19,

Tho King, in his audience with the Boor Generals, referring to tho kindness with which they had treated the British, added " including the wounded.”

NO INVITATION RECEIVED,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, Aug. 18. The Boer generals, during the voyage, did not receive an official invitation to the naval review.