The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-19
THE BoER GENERALS IN ENGLAND.

The reception and treatment of the Boer
generals in England is one of the most re-
markable events of recent times. 1t must be
remembered that these men-Botha, Della
rey and De Wet revived the war after Eng
land thought the Beers were whipped and
continued it to an extent that was thought
impossible when Lord Roberts left South
Africa They could not have had any
hope of succeeding, but they fought on,
and on because. apparently, they did
not know how to give up With their
small following they achieved great
suits in holding the British at bay and in
breaking through their lines and out Of
their traps. and were the means, first and
last, of piling up a great bill of costs
against the British government in men and
money. Yet when they finally gave up,
they were granted liberal terms Of sur
render, General Kitchener complimented
them on the gallant fight they had made.
and now, when they visit England, they are
greeted by the populace with enthusiasm
and received BY the King with unusual
marks of distinction. Lord Kitchener well
coined them on their arrival, Earl Roberts
assisted in doing the honors. a warship
was placed at their disposal for witness
ing the naval review, and the King and
Queen received them with marked gra-
ciousness on the royal yacht. A dispatch
says that during the reception the King
spoke of 'the gallant end brave manner"
in which the generals had fought through
the long and arduous campaign, and Of
"the consideration and kindness" with
which the generals had treated British
wounded and expressed his warm wishes
for their future. This is a very different
way Of treating conquered enemies from
the ancient one of dragging them as
prisoners at the wheels of victorious
chariots. and it presents some of the best
features Of the modern way. OF course,
there is some politics in it, as it is greatly
to the interest Of the British government
TO placate the Boer leaders and lay founda-
ton for future peace and harmony. But
one cannot douot that it also expresses
much of that sincere admiration for brave
men, fair fighters and hard hitters which
the British habitually feel AS for the
Beers the rank and file as we'll as the
leaders, who can doubt that they will be
much better off as loyal subjects of Great
Britain than they would have been as par
| Elephants in a medieval and obscure gov
eminent that was scarcely ever heard of
till it began war on British territory and
that had no claim upon the recognition
of other nations or any prospect of re-
ceiving it. The dispatches indicate that
| the Boer generals are much pleased by
their reception and treatment in England,
and there is reason 10 believe they will
use all their influence to heal the wounds
| of war and lay the foundations of new
prosperity. From England they will sc
| TO the continent and thence come to the
/ United States Their present object is to
/ raise funds with which to assist the fam
/ lilies of their countrymen in South Africa
to start life afresh, but they may conclude
/ that better way will be to accept an i'm
mediate advance on the S15,OOO,Oo0 provided
/ in the treaty of peace for that purpose. Nc
doubt the British government would rather
advance the money than have the generals
/ go before the world as charity seekers
and as their present attitude is one OF
entire friendliness they will not be likely
to do anything distasteful to the British