The warning addressed a month ago to the public by
Lord Wolseley in regard to the " treating" of home-coming soldiers has been repeated and endorsed in a farther appeal from Lord Roberts. In the admirable letter which he addresses to the nation he pays a remarkable tribute to the army under his command. From first to last its conduct in the field has been exemplary ; " the men bore them- selves like heroes on the battlefield, and like gentlemen on all other occasions," and the distrust of non-combatant residents in the Republics, due to "malicious falsehoods" circulated by the authorities, speedily gave place to perfect confidence born of personal experience. Lord Roberts's only misgiving is lest from the very kindness of their hearts, their innate politeness, and their gratitude for the welcome accorded them, the men may find it difficult to refuse what is offered by their too generous friends. He therefore expresses the earnest hope that this welcome may not take the form of indiscriminate " treating," and so lead the men into excesses which must tend to degrade those whom the nation delights to honour, and so to lower them in the eyes of the world. We note with satisfaction the practical steps which are already being taken by the Duchess of Bedford and others to give effect to Lord Roberts's appeal by forming hospitality committees throughout the country with a view to organising welcomes to returning soldiers on the basis of cordiality rather than excess. The Daily News makes the excellent suggestion that, with a view to giving the widest possible currency to Lord Roberts's appeal, it should be posted up, like the war bulletins, at every post-office in the kingdom.
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