The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-12
MAN OF THE HOUR.
London Populace Turns Out to See
..--s~ the New Hero.

London, July 12-Lord Kitchener
reached London at 12:48 p. M. and his
one OF the most memorable of the many
remarkable events OF the past three
weeks. The small procession OF car
riages containing the general and his
staff, in simple, serviceable veldt dress,
lacked spectacular features, but evil
IDENTIFY the crowd was there in it's tens
of thousands to see the man of the hour
and not pageant From the moment
he set foot in London to the time OF ms
disappearance beneath the portal OF St.
James palace, Kitchener received such
an outburst of popular enthusiasm as
quite overshadowed the demonstrations
on previous and similar occasions.
The platform at Paddington railroad
station, when Kitchener arrived. looked
more like a reception room of the war
office than a railroad station 1t was
covered with red carpets and decorated
with a profusion Of flowers and palms.
while rows of decorated stands. crowd
ed with spectators, had been erected at
all parts from which view of the re-
turning cereal could be obtained. The
platform itself was crowded with dis
tinguished personages, including Indian
princes in resplendent costume, generals
and other officers in full uniform and
many ladies in summer dresses Tne
Prince of Wales, the Duke of Con-
naught, the Duke Of Cambridge, Lord
Roberts. the COMMUNICATIVE chief; Lord
Lansdowne, the foreign secretry; Mr..
Brodrick. the war secretary; the Ouch
ess of Somerset, Lady Roberts, Lady
French, Major General Sir Francis r.
Wingate, who succeeded Kitchener as
sirdar of the Egyptian army and COVER
nor general of the Soudan, and Major
General Slatin Pacha, British inspector
general of the Soudan, were among who
assembled to greet the general.
When Kitchener's train arrived pune
tual to the minute, tremendous cheer
greeted the latest hero he emerged
from his car and shook hands with the
Prince Of Wales He stood head and
shoulders above nearly every one on
the platform and his workmanlike
khaki uniform, with the large, brown
sun helmet, made familiar by his pic
lures, was in striking contrast to the
glittering uniforms and rows of medals
and orders worn by most OF those m
waiting. The reception lasted ten or Is
minutes, when the Prince of Wales and
other members of the royal family
drove off. After an interval Lord
Kitchener and Generals French and Ian
Hamilton took seats in one OF the royal
carriages and followed by the brilliant
headquarters staff, headed by Lord
Roberts, and an escort, left the station
amidst loud cheers from those inside
which grew into perfect roar as
Kitchener and his companions came in
sight of the great gathering outside.
At Victoria Gate the mayor of West
tional hero. expressing high admiration or
his tenacious genius. indomitabIe energy
and devotion to duty and Kitchener with
the brevety habitual to him, uttered ten
words of thanks and drove off,
The vast stands Constitution hill
were crowded with people beionsing to
the highest classes of society and kitch-
ener's well-known antfpsthy to drawing
room folk Immediately became apparent
Whereas he had been all smiles to the
man-in-the-street, his features here be-
came irnmobiie and he contented himself
with cold, military salute until he again
reached the open ground in front OF
Buckingham palace. where the popular
ovation was repeated.
shortly before the arrival of the pro-
cessfon at Buckingham palace. Queen
| Alexandra and the princesses appeared on
| a balcony and remained there until the
victor Of South Africa had passed in his
triumphal journey to St. James palace
which he entered amidst final hurricane
OF cheers.