Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-03
Lord Roberts Meets With Enthusiastic
Greeting in London.
LITTLE GENERAL IN Fine SPIRITS
Takes Luncheon With Prince Of
Wales at Buckingham Palace.
FAMOUS PERSONS PRESENT

return to London after years absence IN
South Africa. The crowds were not so
dense nor so demonstrative as during the
recent war celebrations but people paid
from 3 to 10 guineas for seats on P1cca-
dilIy and St. James street balconies State
ly mansions like Apsley House, Lord
Rothschilds and the Duke of Devonshire's
were crowded with notable personages, but
there prevailed on all sides a Keeling that
the progress of the campaign did not war
rant triumphal ovations. though this In no
respect detracted from the affection with
which the little field marshal was greeted.
II was as a man rather than as a general
that London welcomed "Bobs
Amt he brown?" said people in the
crowd. But brown white, big or little,
the reception accorded Lord Roberts
proved that there is no more beloved figure
in public life in England than the present
commander-in- chief.
Created With Real Affection.
He was everywhere greeted with real
affection. His modest bearing and the care
with which he saluted on all sides today
along the route further endeared him to
the people. Lord Roberts was in full uni
form, but behind his carriage his staff fol-
lowed In khaki. they and six Indian or
deries, in magnificent, semi-barbaric uni
forms, were the only picturesque features
of the little procession. The fact that his
personal escort consisted of the 10th Hus-
SarS, which regiment Lord ROSSlyn and
others have accused of cowardice at San
mas Post was taken to indicate that Lord
Roberts exonerated the huSsars from any
blame, besides paying a tribute to the
Prince Of Wales, who is their honorary
colonel.
Such an array Of royal personages has
seldom turned out to do honor to a SUBJ
ject.
Crowds Of people f1ocked to points of
vantage along the route to be followed by
Lord Roberts from Paddington station to
Buckingham Palace, during the early hours
of the morning, but the numbers in no way
compared with those that gathered at the
demonstration in honor of the return of
the city volunteers from South Africa.
Many Stayed Away.
Fears OF the riotous behavior and dis
asters on that occasion deferred many per-
sons from joining in the public welcome.
Warned by the occurrences at the time of
the volunteers return, the authorities to-
day furnished barriers to prevent crushing,
and 1900 regular troops, in addition to
thousands of police, lined the route, block
ed the side streets and were concentrated
in the wide spaces, to guard against dan
gerous rushes.
Lord Roberts reached Paddington station
only twenty minutes behind the schedule
riage to the platform Of the elaborately
decorated railroad station he was greeted
by the Prince of Wales, the Princess Of
Wales. the Duke and Duchess of York, the
Duke Of Connaught and the Duke of Cam
bridge. The members of the royal family
shook hands heartily with the field mar
shall. while the bands played the national
anthem. The Princess of Wales engaged
Lord Roberts in a conversation of some
length.
The scene was altogether brilliant. Every
where were masses of bunting, troops,
ladies in bright costumes, cabinet ministers
and staff officers.
THE people on the stand opposite the
carpeted platform could see little but cooked
hats and ladies' bonnets. The first captain
of the empire, five feet two inches high,
was invisible but from the front of the cir
Gle. After congratulations had been ex
changed, Lord Roberts walked with the
Priroe of Wales, the Duke of York and the
adJutant general, Gen. Sir Evelyn Wood
and reviewed the guard of honor. The vet
eran field marshal. who appeared to be in
perfect health. with pink cheeks, bore him.
self jauntiy and with evident enjoyment
He walked down each rank. saluting with
his left hand, as his right hand is still in
a sling. as result Of his fall from his
horse i'll South Africa, speaking to the SER
geants. and occasionally picking out pri-
vate for few words recalling previous
service together
Talk With Old Comrades.
After the inspection Lord Roberts had a
few minutes conversation with his old
comrades before he went out into the sta
uon inclosure to meet London's multitudes.
The returning field marshal was then pre-
sented with address from the munich
pality of Paddington.
After Lord Roberts had replied the pro-
cesSiOn was formed, the headquarters staff
In six carriages following Immediately be-
hind the field marshal, who occupied a state
carriage, escorted by Indian cavalry. The
secretary of state for war. William st. John
Broderfck, and the secretary of state for
foreign affairs, the Marquis of iansdowne,
were seated in another carriage. A detach-
ment of cavalry brought up the rear. The
party proceeded to buckingham Palace by
way of Hyde Park and Piccadilly. Deafen-
ing cheers greeted the field marshal and
new commander-in-chief of the forces along
all parts of the route. Clubland was ablaze
with color and the greatest enthusiasm pre-
vailed. The ladies admitted to the club
houses thronged the windows and balconies.
The hotels and other buildings We're all
lavishly bedecked, and all crowded from
top to bottom with cheering spectators.
The roar OF welcome rolled on increas-
ingly until the veteran commander entered
the gates of the palace.
A few distinguished people were waiting
wearily within the somber palace quad
rangle, in which the gas lamps vainy tried
to disperse the foggy gloom. The Foot
Guards OF duty, wearing their overcoats
We're drawn up within, while without some
10000 persons were packed together in an
effort to get a view Of the hero of the hour
The royal party arrived half an hour be
fore Lord Roberts. who was driven into tht
quadrangle amid a sa1vo of cheering from
the crowds and a dignified waving of hand
kerchiefs on the part of the bare-headet
nobility
Greeted by Prince of Wales.
Within, the Prince of Wales again warm
y greeted the field marshal.
Everybody by that time, 2:30 pm, wa
gerry hungry. but Lord Roberts would no
10 to luncheon until he had inspected tn
guards. Accompanied by one or two of
ficers, he walked between the lines of mel
towering over the tiny commander-in-chiet
making him appear smaller than ever
almost overweghted by the immens
plumes of his field marshafs hat.
When the inspection was over. Lord Rob
erts, the members OF the royal family an
the generals went into the palace and had
private luncheon. whereupon the crowd
dispersed
Those present at the luncheon at Buck
ingham Palace. where the ceremonies end
cd. consisted Of nifty persons. about twent
OF whom were Of royal blood and thirt
were Of the nobility. the latter includin