f Argyll, the Duke of
Argyll, Lord Roberts, Sir Redvers Buller, Lord Strathcona and Mr.
Chamberlain, he inspected Lord Strathcona's Regiment of Horse and
presented a King's colour to Colonel Steele. His Majesty's speech to the
officers and men was tactful and gracious: "I welcome you here on our
shores on your return from active service in South Africa. I know it
would have been the urgent wish of my beloved mother, our revered Queen,
to have welcomed you also. That was not to be; but be assured she deeply
appreciated the services you rendered as I do. It has given me great
satisfaction to inspect you to-day, to have presented you with your
war-medals and also with the King's colour. I feel sure that in
entrusting this colour to you, Colonel Steele, and to those under you,
you will always defend it and will do your duty as you have done in the
past year in South Africa and will do it on all future occasions. I am
glad that Lord Strathcona is here to-day, as it is owing to him that
this magnificent force has been equipped and sent out." The King then
presented Colonel Steele, personally with the M.V.O. decoration.

PERSONAL INTEREST IN THE WAR

Following this and other similar events came the re-organization of the
Army, in which the King no doubt took a great deal of interest though it
would only be shown the form of advice or expressions of opinion. By Mr.
St. John Brodrick's scheme, as outlined on March 9th, and ultimately
accepted in the main, it was decided to have the military forces so
organized that three Army corps could be sent abroad at any time; that
the artillery and mounted troops should be increased and the medical and
transport service reformed; that officers should be better trained, with
less barrack-square drill and more musketry, scouting and
individuality. It was proposed also to "decentralize administration,
centralize responsibility;" to increase the Militia from 100,000 to
115,000, to increase the pay of the soldiers, to utilize the Yeomanry
and to affiliate, if possible, the Colonial forces. The new arrangements
would provide, it was hoped, a home force of 155,000 Regulars, 90,000
Reserves, 150,000 Militia, 35,000 Yeomanry and 250,000 Volunteers--a
total of 680,000 men.

Meanwhile, peace negotiations had been progressing. On February 28th a
long interview took place between Lord Kitchener and General Louis Botha
who, according to the British general's despatch, "showed very good
feeling and