New-York tribune., 1901-01-04
ROBERTS BACK IN LONDON.
RECEIVED WITH ROYAL. HONORs AND
POPULAR ACCLAMATIoNs.

RAD WEATHER COULD NOT CHILL, THE
WARMTH OF HIS wELcoME-rAKEs
SUPREME COMMAND.
Copyright: 1901: By The New-YOrk Tribunel
icy CABLE To THE TRIBUNEl
London, JAN 4, a. rn-England's greatest
General Earl by grace Of the Queen. but ..Bobs,
always because he is loved by soldiers and peo-
rIe has returned to London with royal honors
and popular acclamations. Unlike the Iror
Duke, who landed at Dover after the Peninsular
campaign, and outracing in his own chaise the
slow going stage coach OF the period trlndled
across Westminster Bridge before Londoners
knew that he was in England. Lord Roberts has
come from Southampton to Buckingham Palace
and the War Office on an elaborate schedule
MANNED if not carried out with military pre-
cision for the benefit of an immense concourse
Of spectators. 1t has been reception royal in
distinction and downright English in heartiness,
and the masses and classes, under most trying
circumstances. have WED with each other in
honoring the most lovable II not the greatest
soldier in the national history. Princes awaited
his coming at Paddington. The world of rank
and fashion watched his progress through club
land and q great company of royalties and
Ministers Of State welcomed him in the Queens
name at Buckingham Palace.
line Of march it was ''Bobs's" Homecoming. and
il was celebrated in homely. democratic spirit.
Above the long drawn deep lunged shouts Of
welcome which greeted his appearance rose the
sharp, incisive trebles of many voices. Good
old Bobs'i" Bravo, 'Bobs'!" God bless you.
,Bobs'!" It was the new Earl and knight of
the Garter, with the heir TO the throne leading
The way 10 the palace, but 'Bobbie' Burns was
right, and Mans a man for a that and a
that"
DETAILS DELAYED BY FOG.
The martinets proposed and the elements dis
posed Every detail Of the programme had been
worked out TO the fraction Of a minute, but the
fog enveloped Southampton Water. and made
Il impossible for the Canada to reach her dock
until the schedule time for the departure Of the
train had passed The Mayor and Corporation
Of Southampton would not be put off. and their
official ceremony was hurried through at high
speed and Lord Roberts allowed to CO. after
making a CHEEKY tactful speech. A similar
function curtailed at Basingstoke. and the
train belated when il reached Paddington,
where Sir John Aird, one Of London's twenty
eight new Mayors waiting to pay him
honor after a civic experience of less than two
months. The station was as bright and festive
bunting and evergreens could make II. and Il
was lined with two guards of honor. one of them
since the Queens visit to Dublin. The Prince
and Princess Of Wales. Princess Victoria. the
Duke and Duchess Of York, the Duke of Con-
naught and the Duke of Cambridge were on the
platform to give the first welcome. The roy
alties drove off betimes in two carriages to
allow Sir John Aird and ten blushng Aldermen
FIVE minutes for their Borough function.
The royal personages with their escort Of
Life Guards drove a long distance in ad-
behind the lines Of soldiers in the streets might
single him out as the sole object Of their inter-
est and grateful homage. The Commander-in-
Chief was in a carriage with General Ian Ham
ilton and Kelly-Kenny and Colonel Darlington,
and was attended by escort of thirteen Hus-
and six mounted Indian orderlies. Lord
Roberts's staff and Sir Evelyn Wood and the
Headquarters Staff were behind in carriages,
with the Secretary of War, Lady Roberts. Miss
Roberts and others. A detachment Of Hussars
brought the cavalcade TO a close. The military
authorities had taken warning from the mis-
management Of the reception to the London Vol
unteers. and had brought in from Aldershot.
Windsor, Chatham and Colchester a force of
1900 regulars TO line the route. Battalions OF
infantry were on guard early in the forenoon,
with files OF cavalry at the side streets, and the
crowds never became unmanageable.
CHILLED. But ENTHUSIASTIC
The weather was most unfavorable; the sky
was blanketed with fog from dawn and the
crowds were forced 10 wait hour after hour.
breathing the cold mist. Yet their ardor was
not damped. and they held their ground with
English determination and perseverance. The
fog was thickest during the hour when the be-
lated cavalcade was passing slowly from Pad
dington TO Victoria Cate, Marble Arch and
Hyde Park Corner and thence through Picca-
dilly. ST James's-st Marlborough Gate and the
Mall TO the Quadrangle Of Buckingham Palace.
where the Grenadier Guards, with their band,
bore the Queens colors. The gas and electric
lamps were lighted, although it midday.
and there was an unpremeditated illumination
of buildings all along the route Cleans of
color from the Venetian masts and strings of
bannerets and flags scarcely served TO light up
the banks Of gray mist setting over the streets
and parks and while there were bands at in
tervals along the route something than
drumbeat and blare OF trumpets was needed TO
inspire enthusiasm in the chilled and chattering
spectators.
The Prince Of Wales and other royalties were
greeted almost perfunctorily when their car
riages came into view There was a long pause. |
and then everybody in footway or window was
shouting for Joy and warming up 70 the high
est pitch OF enthusiasm. II was a wiry little
figure in Field MarshaTs uniform, seated in a
carriage. with arm held across his breast and |
above Il a bronzed face with deep lines and |
white hair and gray mustache. but with a |
bright CHEEKY smile. II was "Bobs" not look |
ing day older than at the Queens Jubilee |
when. with breast ablaze with decorations, he |
rode the white Arab charger which had carried |
him in battle through Afghanlstan. The horse
then had around its neck the medal conferred |