The Boer Generals.

Manawatu Herald, 21 August 1902, Page 3

The Boer Generals.

j" - 'u x i *—‘ — Castle steamer Saxon, j VffifcGcnerala Botha, Be Wet and De UReybn board, reached Portsmouth at'io.vc’cloek. on Saturday morning. Tbeyrwere met by Miss Emily Hobheufis <(whot during the progress of the drew publio attention to the cbnqcti|ra({on camps, and was sub* . expelled from South Africa), I Mr Abraham Fischer (one of the Boer i peace delegates), Dr Clark (formerly Consul-General in England for South African Republic), and a tremendous concourse e! people. The Generals were lustily cheered Upon lauding. All three accepted an invitation to witness the naval review 'Splthead, but later, after having consulted with lir Fischer, refused. ' The visitors went on board the steamer Nigeria* where Lord Kitchener introduced them to Lord Roberts and Mr , Chamberlain. The latter had a long convention with each, and also several minutes' talk with General Botha's ten-year-old son; The Boer Generals afterwards travelled by train to London, where they were received with wild enthusiasm at Waterloo station. They will return to Cowes to visit the King. The , crowd mobbed the ' Boer Generals’.saloon it Waterloo, crying, «Good old De Wet!” “Brave soldiers I" “We are all united," etc The railway police and porters cleared i space for the party to reach two railway- omnibuses, which were cheered asihey passed through the streets. Pressraen.in cabs pursued the party to their hotel, but the Generals declined ; interviews, though they announced that they were delighted at their reception. The Generals will proceed to Holland shortly, possibly for General Lucas Meyer’s funeral on Tuesday. The party Includes Mrs De la Rey, and Commandant Ferraria and bis wife.

MEETING WITH KING EDWARD The King gave a very cordial audience, lasting fifteen minutes, to the Boer Generals. His Majesty referred to the gallant manner in which they had fought, and to the consideration - ao<j kindness with which they had treated the British. The King concluded with warm wishes for their future. The Generals feelingly acknowledged bis Majesty’s gracious sentiments. They afterwards lunched with Lord Kitchener. The Generals were cheered during their journey from Southampton to ' London, They informed newspaper !' representatives that they were de- » lighted with their visit. They were much struck with the King's reception. The King, on the deck ot the Royal yacht, went towards them on their arrival, and after being introduced shook hands with each. Later he introduced them to the Queen and Princess Victoria. After the audience with the King the Generals were conducted at bis Majesty's request through the lines of warships. , , .. ,The Generals’ absence from the naval review had elated the pro-Boers at Paris, but some of the newspapers of France, Germany and Belgium admit that the Generals are unlikely to cast in their lot with Mr Kruger and Dr Leyds, and reasonably interpret K their 1 absence, one organ describing it as a mark of respect to the late General Lucas Meyer. . MThe newspapers consider the generous reception given the Generals Js>a sincere expression of the admira- , tionofthe King and people alike in welcoming them as subjects of the Crown. .. , “The Times’' saysi—While it is right to show resp&t to a brave enemy and -reasonable to accept their assurances of fidelity, the exuberance of the emotion shown by tbe London crowds is much In excess of what was appropriate, and Is unworthy of the spirit in which the struggle was conductedon both sides. The- King, in the audience with the Boer General, when referring to the kindness with which the Boers had to - treated tbe British, added “ including ! the wounded.” It transpires that the Boer Generals did not receive official intimation of the naval review during their voyage from South Africa, The Berlin newspapers “National Xe!tcng ~ predict» a stormy interview between'the Generals and. Dr Leyds; Thelalterwill be asked to disgorge. Re will probably accuse the. Generals Uf compounding with the enemy, j ust as the Krugerlteamsed the late General Lucas Meyaf’s visit to Mr Chamber* tain a* a weapon against him. The Generals are unlikely to listen to those pl&yed'lout methods, and will go for: ward accordance with what Is best Id pursuance of their mission—the rairinf bf money to assist their dis* tteqel countrymen.