New-York tribune., 1900-05-19
ing with Her Majesty. and also to the Prince
OF Wales a MarIt,,ro,,rb rYo,sa

ing with Her Majesty and also to the Prince
OF Wales at at-Marlborough House
BY lo;3o p. m, the news had spread to all
the suburbs CT London. where similar scenes
of rejoicing occurred
Londons millions spent half the night In the
street, and even at o'clock this morning troops
or young men are promenadng singing and
cheering. and there crowds in front of the
Mansion House. Marlborough House. the clubs
on Pail Mall and the War Office and in Parlia-
ment Square, waving flags and joining in the
national airs
This sustained believing and uproar of hun
dreds of thousands amaze. the Englishman who
ceases for moment to be actor and becomes
merely an observer. Sober phlegmatic LoBdon
is f-.sttc itself with emotion. Gusts Of patriot
ism have Set the town quivering twice thrice
before during the war. but nothing has
quite equailed to-nights hundred square miles
of almost furious demonstration It a Gu
rious thing for the onlooker TO see solemn gray
haired men toss their opera hats into the air and
join in the hurricane of cheers when a wreath
crowned banner. with the portrait Of Colonel
Baden-Powell II. born along Piccadilly.
Smart women in broughams waved Union Jacks
out OF the windows. Conventional family parties
stopped at street corners to take part in the
singing OF God Save the Queen and soldiers
OF the Queen Everywhere were abandon, good
feeling and an astonishing roar Of human voices.
II was all brought about by the twenty word
telegram from Pretoria that Mafekng had been
relieved Although the Government has not a
word. and although nothing confrmatory has
been received from any African source except
Pretoria, nobody apparently questions the news.
Arthur J. Balfour Government leader in the
House Of Commons speaking from the Govern
n:ent bench late last evening. said
The only news have is through the courtesy
Of the press. We have no information at the
would arrive through other channels Therefore
the fact that we have not received it does not
disprove the accuracy of the information.
I need hardly say that We all trust and we
have good reason to think that il Is probably
true. (CNeers).
George wyndham, Parliamentary Under Sec
retary for War, replying TO several members OF
the House who had privately interrogated him.
said:
Although the Government has nothing, am
disposed to believe the Boer bulletin. 1t may
be tomorrow and perhaps even Monday, before
the Government would get dispatches from our
military commanders, even if the siege were
raised some days ago, as the news would have
70 be conveyed over a very long distance by
messengers on horseback, whereas the enemy
would probably be able TO avail themselves or
reIegraphic communication.
Colonel Baden-PoweI's brother in London has
received telegram from Dutch friend in Pre-
toria saying that Mafeking has been relieved.
The performers in the London music halls and
theatres last evening had little for stage
business or for the lines of their pieces The
audiences which crowded the Alhambrar the
Empire, Covent Garden or the theatres had no
desire to attend TO stage performances. The trst
sight Of a biogTaph scene in the Transvaal or
the first glimpse OF a military or naval costume
on the stage was sufficient to create an uproar.
4 leading actor in one OF the strand theatres
said: II did not attempt to read my lines last
evening. 1t of no use. The public had no
interest in beyond the Pact that l wore q
military uniform" At Her Majestys Theatre,
at the GarriCk, where "ZaZa' is being played,
and at the other houses where legitimate drama
holds the boards, the occupants Of stalls, boxes
and galleries sang in chorus The Absent Minded
Beggar and Soldiers of the Queen" between
acts in order 10 give vent to their enthusiasm,
although they settled down to the programme
afterward. At the music halls, however no one
pretended to be Interested in anything not hav-
ing military color.
The Princess OF Wales the Duke and Duchess
OF York and the Portuguese Minister. Senior
Pinto de Several occupied a box at Covent Gar
den. where "Lohengrin' being presented.
and when the relief of Mafeking was announced
they Joined heartily in the applause
The London fire insurance laws make fire
works impossible. and the city lacked the blaze
Of illumination characteristic of American cities
during similar rejoictngs. The Brttisher. there
fore, relies upon lung power, and from St.
PauFs Cathedral TO Westminster Abbey. and up
through Piccadily to Hyde Park, there
Niagara-Iike roar. inceSSant, rising and falling
hour after hour the surging masses poured
through Londou's thoroughfares Ike the process
sons on the eve Of a Presidential election in the
United States.
There a lack of pyrotechnic glare but
every ''csbby' and every bus man In London had
a Union Jack iuttering from his whip and the
stars and stripes were by no means lacking.
Patrons Of fOur-WheeleTs were not content to
ride inside the vehicles, and the tops were
crowded with flag waving. cheering, sprawling
enthusiasts.
At Carlton Hotel which is filed with An7erf-
cans, the bands played Marching Through Geor-
gta," which has been recently adapted 10 &
English song entitled Marching TO Pretoria"
Dixie and other American airs pIaved