The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-23
"BOBS" is OFF.
The Man Who Is to Retrieve
British Prestige In Africa
Leaves London For the Seat of
War Today.
CROWD TO SEE HIM
Includes Prince of Wales, Dukes
and Field MarshaIs.
Cheers and God Bless Yous
Without Stint.

London, Dec 23-Field Marshal Lord
Roberts, who is to assume command of
the British forces in South Africa left
Waterloo railroad station at noon to-
day amidst scenes of enthusiasm, Vi
wildly demonstrating the national inter
est in the event and the belief that
the departure of the general can be ac-
cepted as a guarantee that whatever
can be done in South Africa viii be car
ried out by thoroughly competent
hands and on carefully matured lines
Although only privileged persons were
permitted to enter the station, this d1d
not prevent the gathering of immense
, throngs at all thS approaches and other
points of vantage, who cheered repeat
edly as "BObS'' accompanied by his
wife and two daughters drove up.
Seldom has the terminus witnessed
such an inspiring send off Every ap-
pearance of the field marshal was the
| signal for ringing hurrahs, lusty shouts
and good wishes. The moment the vet
eran commander arrived he was sur
/ rounded by military officers and other
| friends and held a semi-priVate recep-
! ton in the waiting room.
After personal leave takings, Lord
/ Roberts reached the platform, where
general greetings and parting words
I were exchanged. Many ladies pressed
J eagerly forward to get a last hand
/ shake. express deep sympathy with the
! distinguished soldier in his recent be-
| reavement and bid him gOdspeed. One
woman with her eyes filed with tears
| exclaimed
God bless you and bring you safely
! back to u.s.
This wish was echoed and re-echoed
| in varying phraseOlOgy by hundreds
| thrOnging the vicinity 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 military
! men including A ]. BalfOur, the Mar
| quis of LansdOwne. Field Marshal Sir
| Donald Stewart and Lieut. Col. Caring
| ton, the queens eQuerry. Lord WOlse-
| ley and others arrived late and 1t re-
| quired 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
announced the approach of the Duke of
/ Cambridge The crush was so great
| that the duke in spite of police prOtec-
ton, was SO hustled that more than
! once he gave verbal expression of re-
sentiment at the rough treatment he
| had to submit to and the police redOu-
bled their efforts finally enabling the
| Duke of Cambridge to reach Lord Rob-
| erts, though in the confusion the police
thrust aside many of those who were
best entitled to remain, including Lord
| WOlseIey, who, however, took the rough
| handling of the police good humOredly.
| The ladies present suffered much from
| the crowd but their piteOus appeals
| were unavaiIing to stem the crush
Renewed cheering heraIded the Duke
| of COnnaught'S arrival. Then rOuSing
| cheers mOmentarily diverted attention
of Wales appeared and greeted Lord
! Roberts in the most cordial manner.
The prince and the distinguished gem
eral engaged in earnest converse tiOn
and furnished a striking center to u
notable group, which included no less
| than five field marShals. Lord Roberts
| who was in mourning dress. looked fit
for anything. In spite of his 81 years.
he was straight and sOldierly and his
| rugged features reflected determina-
| ton At the time the train was due to
ba TOr-iU nf a a
hand with Lord Roberts and spoke a
few words to the general of which the
! phrases God bless you" Good luck
to YOU. We're caught by those nearby.
Mr.. Balfour bade Lord Roberts j
similar farewell. Amidst the diIA en-
| thusiasm and excitement no one heard
the signals for departure, and in cOnse-
| quence the train was moving while
Lord Roberts was still IN the platform
with his back to the carriage door The
| fareWellS were abruptly terminated
| what Undignified scramble FOR his seat.
AS the general disappeared in the sa-
loon carriage, final lusty cheer was
/ started and continued until the train
passed out Of sight.
HIS EsAIBARKATION.
Southampton, Dec. 23.-On arriving al
> Southampton, General Roberts was
/ heartily cheered bv thousands of peo-
Dle and as he boarded the Dunottal
I Castle, between a guard of honor oi
I marines and blue jackets, there was {
renewed outburst of applause The
| mayor and corporation officials were
| present.
MORE HOME GUARDS
The exceeding grave view taken il
! some quarters of the present crisis i!
| evidenced by a circular signed by At
torney General Webster, Solicitor Gen
| eral Findlay and General sir E1v:yT
Wood, adjutant general to the forces
to the effect that the position of pub
! lie works is 50 critical that a greatel
{ forces
/ quired abroad it becomes imperative
for the purpose of home defense, that
| the Home Volunteers should be aug
mented and urging that every membel
| of the legal profession not debarreC
by age, or paramount duty, enroll him
self as an active member Of the Inn!
of Court, or other volunteer corps
WINGATE SUCCEEDS KITCHENER
Cairo. Dec. 23.-Colonel EIngate hai
! succeeded General Kitchener as sirdal
| and governor general of the Soudan.