The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-23

sketch OF the Commander OF the
Orange Free State Forces.

Orange Free State Forces.
In the concerted plan OF war agreed upon
by the Boer republic and the Orange Free
State the forces Of the latter will be under
the Of General Eyart r. Grob]er<
a notable figure in the commercial. legfs>
iauve and military affairs Of South Africa
General Grobler is decidedly versatile I'm
his attainments. He is a grain grower. an
ostrich farmer. a stock raiser, and a dia-
mond mine owner. Though only thirty-sfx
years old. he has been an influential MEM
Der of the Volksraad. sitting for Philopolis.
He is described as a man Of intrepid and
dogged temperament. able, shrewd. but.
withal, conservative. He is descended from
Dutch and Huguenot stock. He speaks and
writes fiuently Dutch. English, German and
French. He is also accomplished IN the
vernacular of many OF the native tribes
around the Free State.
He is nearly six feet tall, of slight build
erect, and is a man of active physique ana
quick mental conception. While at all times
genial and measurably transformations he
mas "a q reserve which at once engages the
eye when enjoying recreation, but an ear
nest, severe look in a serious mood. His
home In his native land, for he is Boer-
born-a native of the soil for which he r.
hghting-is one of open hospitality.
General Grobler was the Orange Free
states commissioner TO the worlds fair,
at Chicago. In 1893. His government also
designated him for the Antwerp exposifion
ana Tor the forthcoming Paris exposition
Inese honors he declined because his South
African interests demanded his time. He
has had much TO do with matters of trans
Portat1on over the line of railway between
ape Town and the Free State and I'm ar
ranging the customs troubles between the
two countries.
He took a prominent part In the develops
mHnf 0f the IL QorGfnnfaf a. 1f.-.~ 49,
he has one OF the largest ostrich farms in
South Africa. He periodically loves his ma
tive land. and ne has been looking at a war
cloud for several years. AS far back az
1888 he said. while in this country: nd
does not mean TO let US alone or TO leave
with us our liberty IL she can steal or wrext
it,, She desires US to sleep. and then she
VIII burglarize our constitution and pull
down our flag. When that day comes-and
IL Is not far oh-there will be a line OF dead
men from the border TO Bloemfontein. IIke
water and oil. Boer and British blood viii
never mix. We won our freedom with blood
ana We may have 10 repaint our old battle
fields. We do not desire war, but IL they
force II. God witness the fight and hallow
our graves"
mand OF the Free States available army OF
Fl 900 men. He has a beautiful and patriofic
young wife: She Is OF Huguenot extraction,
ano, like himself. is very refined, well bred
and well educated. They have been mar
ried about twelve years. but have no chr
intelligent interest in South African AFFAIR."
and Is helping TO get together food and
clothes 10 be sent TO tue front.
A letter received I'm the United States re-
Gently by a friend OF the commanding gem
eral told Of the coming clash at arms and
outlined the work of the LADY auxiliarfes~
of the army in the field and the minute de-
tails OF this relief work for a protracted
campaign. The Transvaai and Free state
mothers. wives and daughters have been
getting their men ready for long marches.
camps and cold nights for the last year. In
fact. they have been Informed quietly that
there would be a bloody sequel TO the Jane
son raid. so they have gone steadily on
weaving and sewing"
The army will thus. I'm both republics. be
mainly home clothed and fed from home.
The purpose OF the women was, and il. 70
make each home a miniature army camp
ready 10 move. The governments efforts
were TO make each Boer home a small. we'll
equipped arsenal or armory, ready for ac-
ton at any call. In the last three or Pour
years these results have been virtually ac-
complished. All the Boer soldier had 10 do
was TO get up and go TO the front. with hie
equipment moved mostly with his own stock
and wagons. That is the kind OF force
General Grobler Is leading into British
South Africa from the Orange Free state