The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-08-18
RECEIVED BY KING
BoER GENERALS VISITORS ON THE
ROYAL YACHT.
GIVEN GRACIOUS RECEPTION.
KING STEAKS OF THEIR GALLANT
CONDUCT.

Hour of Departure From London
Kept secret, to Free Them From
Annoyance of Cheering Crowds
Welcomed Aboard WiIdhre by Rob-
erts and Kitchener, and Then Con-
Veyed to Victoria and AIbert-Ed-
ward Came Forward to Give Them
GreetinG-IntrOduced to Queen ana
Princess VictOria-BOers Pleased
With Reception.
London, Aug. 17.-Boer generals, who
so lately have been in arms against
the British Empire, were received by
King Edward aboard the royal yacht
Victoria and Albert to-day.
on the royal yacht a gracious recep-
ton was rendered them-a reception
that seemed to have done much to
heal the ugly scars of war. 1t was a
significant occasion, when the sover-
eign head of a great Power met in
friendly converse the three men who
most contributed to the Beers gallant
opposition
Gems. Botha, DeWet and De la Rey,
who reached here yesterday from
South Africa, left London at $50
o'clock this morning for Cowes, Isle
of Wight to see King Edward, 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.
On BOARD the Royal Yacht.
Upon arriving at Southampton the
Boer generals were welcomed on board
the commander chiefs yacht Wild
fire, by Earl Roberts and Gen. Lord
Kitchener They Immediately visited
King Edward on board the Victoria
and Albert, and were then taken for a
trip around the fleet in the Wildfire.
They returned to London this even
ing accompanied by Lord Kitchener
and Earl Roberts, who took leave of
the Boer generals at Waterloo station.
In an interview with representa-
tive of the Associated Press, Gen.
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 Beers
We're highly pleased with their recep-
ton.
After a brief and informal talk of a
non-political character with King Ed
ward they were introduced to Queen
Alexandra and Princess Victoria.
Edwards xingIy Words.
The reception by His Majesty lasted
quarter of an hour. The King spoke
of 1.-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. His Majesty expressed his
warm wishes for their futures. 1t was
at the Kings suggestion that the
Beers took the trip around the fleet on
board the Wildfire
During the voyage from South At
RIGA Gen. DeWet did not mix much
with his fellow passengers. He was
IF time in writing
his book on the South African war.
In common with his colleagues snap
shot photographs were constantly be-
ing taken of him and he was worried
with requests for his autograph until
he had to protest against the nuisance.
Gen. Botha, on the contrary, was eX-
tremely genial and INDUCED in all the
sports on shipboard. He was constant
Iy in the smoking room where he
played cards. Gen. De la Rey, besides
playing draughts, took keen pleasure
In discussions with British army otti-
GERS on board the steamer.
1t is said that Gen. Botha is greatly
annoyed that his home at Vryheid has
been annexed to Natal. The premier
of Natal is reported to have offered
Gen. Rotha a place in the Natal min
istry, which the general has declined.
Reporters kept Away.
The refusal of the Boer generals to
witness the review of the fleet at
Spithead or see King Edward yester-
day caused great exultation in the
Continental press, and undoubtedly up
set the plans of Colonial Secretary
Chamberlain. Mr.. Chamberlain had
appeared extremely anxious that the
generals should see no newspaper rep
resentatives before their visit to King
EDWARD. and he accordingly caused in
structions to be issued that no repor-
ters be allowed on board the Wildfire
or Nigeria, while very unusual restric-
uons were placed on all reporters.
The general impression is that Gen.
botha and his companions declined the
invitation to witness the review. and
see King Edward because 1t came di-
rect from Mr.. Chamberlain; but. on
receiving the Kings personal invita-