The Washington times., 1902-08-17
The Three Famous Leaders
Not a Part of Iriumphal
Review.
WOULD-BE HOSTS REBUFFED
On Business Mission, Sturdy BuTghers
Refuse to Allow Visit to Be Viewed
as a Picnic = May See the King
Coming to America Later.

Europe of the remarkable triumvirate
whose military genius held all the fight
ing resources of the British empire at
arms length for nearly three years, has
proved them to be as redoubtable tao
ticiars in peace as in war. It was Cen
eral Sir Redvers- Butler who, week ago,
expressed the chastened reflection that
the Beers generally did the right thing.
Today Generals Botha. Delarey and De
Wet emerged from a delicate position
with complete success by simply follow
ing the dictates OF their own straight
forward. chivalrous characters.
Seeking to Be Hosts.
From the day they left South Africa
there have been comically undignified
maneuverings among high-placed poli-
ticians in England and certain Cont
mental centers, apart from the Boer
headquarters in Holland. to be the first
hosts Of the generals, or, at any rate
10 secure the initial advantage of maxi
ing the first public anpearance as their
friends.
The three leaders chosen by the Beers
are now located at quiet hotel IN Lon
don among their old friends and no
others. BY spontaneously exchanging
the ordinary courtesies on their meeting
with Earl Roberts, Lord Kitchener and
Colonial Secretary Chamberlain at
Southampton this morning, they dis
armed the ill-disposed critics who, on
finding that they would not consent to
be attached to the tail epd of King Ed
wards triumphal coronation car. looked
for some display of churlishness whicn
would tend to ALLEVIATE the sympathetic
attitude OF the average man.
Generals Position.
1t is true that William Waldorf As
tors London newspaper, the Pail Mall
Gazette" displayed the caption. British
Hospitality Declined" above the account
of their arrival, but 1t was alone in this
petty-minded attitude. On the other
news bills it was a record of enthusi-
astic welcome which was the mood of
the throng of watchers outside the hotel.
The position of the Boer generals in
the matter Of today's naval entertain
ment was expressed in the words OF Dr..
Van Velden, the private secretary Of
Gen. Louis Botha, to a reporter, who
sought to draw him out on the matter
of their coming to London today. The
reporter wanted to know why they had
not witnessed the naval review, point
ing out that silence on that subject
would probably lead to a misunderstand-
ing as to the generals feelings
Mr.. Van Nelden answered frankly that
they had been misunderstood for two
and a half years, and that they could
bear being misunderstood little longer
1t is plain from what their friends say
that TIE motive governing their conduct
is above criticism. They are here on
business ana do not regard their mis-
sion as a picnic any more than they re-
garded waEing>war as such
Needless Preparations.
Yet it gives an idea of what sort OF
bait 1t was believed would catch them
TO read on authority that Colonial Sec
retary Chamberlain had cabins adjoin-
ing his on the Elder Dempster steamer
Nigeria reserved for the Boer leaders
today, and had suitable selection of
pleasantly entertaining guests ready 10
meet them.
The man who is regarded as the imme-
diate cause OF heir absence is Mr. |
Fischer. member of the Boer committee
in Holland. He is little known to Eng
lishmen, but stands high among Afri- |
kanders. He is their ablest political or
ganizer. is an educated Free Slater, and |
was former President Steyn's political
machine manager.
He took no part in the war He came |
10 Europe when II broke out. but was
entirely independent OF the mission of 4
DR. Leyds. His present Importance is
that he is accepted as the chaperon OF /
the Boer generals in England, and will.
accompany them as a guide wherever !
they go after their visit to the King at |
Cowes tomorrow, something which has
not yet been finally decided upon.
Depends on Chamberlain.
II will turn on Mr.. Chamberlain at
fuence 10 effect harmony between them.
Their present program to go TO the
Continent in few days means, beyond
question, triumphal progress. but it is
by no means certain whether the funds
which they seek 10 assist the families
of their couDtrymen In South Africa TO
start life afresh can best be collected IN
that way, or the alternative of The
aNlSu II
TO offer them a substantial advance on
the s3.000,000 fixed in the treaty OF
peace. for the purpose of restocking
their farms.
A reporter who called at the hotel
was received by Secretary Brebner and
Adjutant Ferriera, son-in-law OF Gen
eral Delarey. They asked that the
generals be excused from making
statement on the ground that they had
not yet decided upon anything definite
beyond the fact that they would probably
pa. 4 visit to the King al Cowes to
morrow, returning to London in the
egening. Mr.. Ferriera went so far as
10 say, however, that the Boer com
manders fully appreciated the attitude
Of America during the campaign.
Mr. Brebner. who looked hale and
hearty and sunburnt, said on this lat
ter point:
81 know America well. The Amer