The Irish standard., 1899-10-07
LEADER OF THE BOER ARMY.
Joubert Has Supreme Contempt for
The English.

Joubert Has Supreme Contempt for
The English.
General p J. Joubcrt is the most
celebrated fighter in South Africa. He
is vice president and the colnmandcr-in-
CHIEF OF the Bocr army, and is looked
upon as the country's savior in the
event OF war with England. The gen
eral is 6S years OF age now, and Scared
by many 4 wound from English bullet
and native asscgai. Yet he is sturdy OF
frame and keen OF eye He led the
Beers at Majuba Hill, where $50 Eng
|isl gave up their lives. General Joubcr;
losing but five man. Hc beat the Eng
fish at Laing's Neck, commanded the
Tcrces at Bronkhorst and Spruit, and
finally caught Jameson like a rat i'll a
trap through quick mobilization OF
troops
He fought in the native wars when
Paul Kruger was commander, and these
two became bosom friends. They and
one other Bocr were selected to conduct
the affairs OF the Transvaal when it was
in rebellion against England in 1881,
and General Joubert has several times
come within few votes oil beating Dom
Paul for the presidency He will prob
ably be the next to assume that posi-
ton, as he holds different views from
Kruger. He believes that ii the iran
chise were given to the Uitlandcrs in
a reasonable time they would become
good citizens, and that this is the way
to solve the problem. At the same time
he will not sanction any sort OF re-
volt, and when the Jameson raiders
were landed safely in Pretoria jail he
was one who favored shooting them.
Dom Paurs diplomatic powers stand
out i'll distinct contrast to Joubert, who
is essentially a lover OF powder. Ten
thousand Beers were gathered about the
Jail, specializing as to the fate OF the
prisoners. Some were for instant death,
and others, as a grim joke, suggested
cutting off their ears. This was taken
up by the press Immediately, and in a
lew hours the world was shuddcring at
the bloodthirstiness OF the Transvaal
burgllcrs. In the meantime the ques-
ton was being settled by Dom Paul,
who was trying to save the lives Of the
prisoners, and to this end used every
art OF persuasion with Joubert, the two
being closeted whole night.
Dom Paul finally prevailed, and Jou-
bert went out before the assembly to
win them over to the lencnt position
This was his speech: Fellow burghers,
i you had beautiful flock OF sheep,
and a neighbours dogs got into the pas
ture and killed them, what would you
do? Would you take your rifle end
straightway proceed to shoot those
dogs. thus making yourself Liable to
greater damage than the value OF the
sheep destroyed, or would you lay hold
on those dogs and carry them to your
rcighbor, saying: Now, here's your
dogs. I caught them in the act Pay
NE and they shall be returned ,"
The general waited a moment for the
words to take effect, and then added:
we have the neighbours dogs in Jail.
What shall we do with thcm?" There
was hardly voice against returning the
prisoners to the English, and events
proved how wise the Beers had been.
Joubcrt can collect his whole army in
iorty- eight hours, a speedicr mobiliza-
lion than any other nation can boast Of
He has divided the Transv;al into u
divisions. each under commander.
They arc subdividcd into sections. COM
inanded by field comets and assistant
field ccrncts When the tocsin is
sounded the officers ride from one farm
to another until the whole country is
warned Tile Bocr has rifle and ammu-
ritior ready. and piece OF "biltong'
or dried beef, on which he can subsist
ior two weeks. lie jumps on his horse
ard hurrics to the gathering place. leav-
;l.g the women to farm and herd the
r:itic.
General .Touhcrt knows the might OF
nc English, but has little respect for
heir craftsmanship When I was a
boy" he told The writer. AN English
'c&imcnt was quartercd on orr farm.
One day three iartbccstc sprang up on
lhc vctt and hall the regiment shot a.
them and missed. and two other lads
then brought DIR rifles TO our shoulders.
and each brought down one beestc
That is shc way we shoot at the Eng