The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-08-18
KING MEETS BOER LEADERS
EDWARD RECEIVES BOTHA, DE-
 WET AND DELAREY.
duced to the Queem aud Princess Vic. toria-Left London Secretsy-WeI- comed at Southampton On Board the mmander-tn.Chief's Yacht by Earl Roberts and Lord Kitchener.
Roberts and Lord Kitchener.


 London, Aug. 1.-The Boer generals Botha, Dewet and Delarey, who reached here yesterday from South Africa, left London at 9:3O this morning from CoWes, Isle of Wight, to see King Ed ward on board the royal yacht Victoria and Albert.
 The hour of the generals departure from London was kept secret, conse- quently the streets were deserted when the three generals, accompanied by their secretaries. but by none of the ladies of their party, started for CoWes. They were stylishly attired in frock coats and silk hats.
 Upon arriving at Southampton the Boer generals were welcomed on board the commander-in-ch yacht Wild fire, by Earl Roberts and Lord Kitch- ener. They immediately visited King Edward on board the Victoria and AL bert and were then taken for @ trip around the fleet in the Wildflre They returned to London this evening, &C., companied by Earl Roberts and Lord Kitchener, who took leave of the Boers at Waterloo station.
 In an interview with representative of The Associated Press General Botha' S secretary described the visit to his majesty. He said that when the Boer generals boarded the royal yacht King Edward came forward and after they had been introduced, shook hands with each of them. The Boers were highly pleased with their reception. After a brief and informal talk of a non-polit- cal character with King Edward they were introduced to Queen Alexandra and Princess Victoria.
 The reception by his majesty lasted q quarter of an hour. The king spoke of "the gallant and 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. He expressed his warm wishes for their futures. It was at the kings suggestion that the Boers ] took the trip around the fleet on board the WiIdare.
 l During the voyage from South Africa 1 General Dewet did not mix much with his fellow passengers. He was engaged most oe the time in writing his book Ton the South African war, In com mon with his colleagues snap photo graphs were constantly being taken of him, and he was worried with requests 1 for his autograph until he had to pro- 1 test against the nuisance. General Botha, on the shipboard, was extremely genial and indulged in all the sports on shipboard. He was constantly in the smoking room where he played cards. General Delarey, besides playing draughts, took keen pleasure in discus sions with British army officers on board the steamer
 | It is said that General Botha is great ly annoyed that his home at Vryheid has been annexed to Natal. The pre- mier of Natal is reported to have of- fered General Botha 8 place in the Natal ministry, which the general has declined.
 l The refusal of the Boer generals to witness the review of the fleet at Spit head or see King Edward caused great exultation in the continental press and undoubtedly unset the plans of the sec- retary. MT. Chamberlain had appeared extremely anxious that the generals should see no newspaper representa- tives before their visit to King Edward ard he accordingly caused instructions ta be issued that no reporters be allow ed on board the Wildfire of Nigeria, while very unusual restrictions were | placed on all reporters.
 The general impression is that Gener- al Botha and his companions declined | the invitation to witness the review and see King Edward because 1t came di- rect from MT. Chamberlain, but on re- ceivirg the kings personal invitation for Sunday they readily accepted