Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-12-28
"B0BS" GIVEN AN OVATION
Field Marshal Lord Roberts Started for
South Africa at Noon Saturday.
SCENES OF GREAT ENTHUSIASM
Immense Crowds at Waterloo
Station.
THE SEND-OFF WAS VERY INSPIRING

London. Eng, Dec. 90. Field
Marshal Lord Roberts, who is to
assume command of the British forces
in South Africa, left Waterloo railroad
station at noon today, amidst scenes Of
enthusiasm wildly demonstrating the
national inter est in the event and the
belief that the departure of the general
can be accepted as guarantee that
whatever can be done in South Africa
will be carried out by thoroughly COM
petent hands and on carefully matured
lines. Although only privileged per-
sons were permitted to enter the
station, this did not prevent the
gathering of immense thrones at all
the approaches and other points of
vantage, who cheered repeatedly as
Bobs," accompanied by his wife and
two daughters, drove up. Seldom had
the terminus witnessed such an in
sEiring send off. Every appearance of
the field marshal was the signal for
ringing hurrahs, lusty shouts and good
wishes. The moment the veteran COM
mander arrived, he was surrounded by
military officers, and held semi
private reception in the waiting room.
After personal leaye-takings, Lord
Roberts reached the platform, where
general greetings and parting words
were exchanged. Many ladies pressed
eagerly forward to get a last hand
shake, express deep sympathy with the
distinguished soldier in his recent be-
reavement, aud bid him God-speed.
One woman, with her eyes filled with
tears, exclaimed: God bless you, and
bring you safely back to us. This
wish was echoed and re-echoed in Vary
ing phraseology by hundreds thronging
the Deighborhood Of the train.
As the general joined his wife and
daughters at the door of the saloon
carriage, he was speedily surrounded
by distinguished statesmen and mill
tary men, including A. j. Balfour, the
Marquis of Lansdowne, Field Marshal
Sir Donald Stewart and Lieut.. Col.
Darlington, the Queens equerry. Lord
| Wolseley and others arrived late, and
it required all the efforts of the police
to clear a passage for them. Scarcely
had the commander -in-chIef Joined
Lord Roberts when a great cheer an.
nounced the approach of the Duke of
| Cambridge. The crash was SO great
| that the Duke, in spite of the police
protection, was SO hustled that more
| than once he gave verbal expression of
resentment at the rough treatment he
had to submit to, and the police re-
doubled their efforts, finally enabling
the Duke to reach Lord Roberts,
though, in the confusion, the police
! thrust aside many of those who were
best entitled to remain, including Lord
| Wolseley, who, however, took tbs
rough handling of the police good
humoredly. The ladies suffered much
from the crowds, but their piteous
appeals were unavailing to stem the
crush. Renewed cheering heralded the
Duke of Conpaueht's arrival. Then,
rousiug cheers momentarily diverted
attention from the hero of the hour as
the Prince of Wales appeared and
greeted Lord Roberts in the most
cordial manner. The Prince and the
distinguished general engaged in an
earnest conversation, and furnished a
striking tire to q notable group, as
it included no less than five field
marshals.
Lord Roberts, who was in mourning,
looked fit fol anything. In spite oil
his 81 years, he was straight and
soldierly, and his rugged features re.
Elected determination.
At the time the train was due tc
start, the Prince of Wales again shook
hands with Lord Roberts, and spoke g
few words to the general, Of which the
phrases "God bless you" and "Gooc
luck to you," were caught by those
nearby. Mr.. Balfour babe Gen.
Roberts similar farewell. Amidst
the din, enthusiasm and excitement,
DO one heard the signals for departure
and, in consequence, the train wa
moving while Lord Roberts was still
ON the platform, with his back to til,
carriage door. The farewells vert
abruptly terminated, and he was forced
TO make somewhat updignified scIam
BILE for his seat. As the general dis
appeared in the salon carriage, a fina
lus.y cheer was started, and it con
tinued until the tram passed out O