The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-03
LEADKR or THE BoKR ARMY.
Gen. Joubert. His Fighting Qualities and
tho Boer Army.

Gen. Joubert. His Fighting Qualities and
tho Boer Army.
Gen. p. J. Joubert Is the most celebrated
fighter In South Africa. He is Vice President
and the Command In Chief OF the Boer army.
and Is looked on as the country's savior in the
event OF war with England. Tho General is es
years old now. and SCARED by many wound
from English bullet and native assegai. Yet
he is sturdy Of frame and keen of eye. He led
tho Beers at Msjuba Hill. where $50 English
gave up their lives Gen. Joubert losing but
five men. He beat the English at Laing's
Neck. commanded the forces at Bronkhorst
and Spruit. and finally caught Jameson like a
rat In a trap through quick mobilization OF
troops.
He fought In the native wars when Paul
KRUGER was commander. and these two be-
came bosom friends. They and one other
Boer were selected to conduct the affairs Of
the Transvaal whom 1t was in rebellion against
England In 1881. and Gen. Joubert has several
times come within few votes OF beating Dom
Paul for the presidency. He will probably be
the next to assume that position. as he holds
different views from KRUGER. He believes that
IL the franchise were given to the Uitlanders 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 sane
ton any sort of revolt. and when the jane
he was one who favored shooting them.
Dom Paul's diplomatic powers stand out
out IN distinct contrast to Joubert. who is es-
sentially a lover Of powder Ten thousand
Beers were gathered about tho jail. speculatng
as TO the fate OF the prisoners. Some were for
instant death. and others. as a grim Joke. sug-
gested cutting Off their ears This was taken
IN by the press Immediately. and In u few
hours the world was shuddering at the blood
I, IT.
meantime the question 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 bort won't
out before the assembly to win them over to
the lenient position. This was his speech:
Fellow burghers. IL you had a beautiful flock
Of sheep. and neighbours dogs got into tho
pasture and killed them. what would you do2
Would you take your rife and 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
neighbor. saying. Now. here's your dogs.
caught them in the act. Pay mo and they shall
be returned
The general waited moment for the words
to take effect and then added: I'VE have the
neighbours dogs in Jail. What shall we do
with them?" There was hardly voice against
returning the prisoners to the English. and
events proved how wise the Beers had been.
Joubert can collect his whole army in forty
eight hours. speedier mobilization than any
other nation can boast Of. He has divided the
Transvaal into seventeen divisions. each under
a commander. They are sub-divided into Sec
tions. commanded by field comets and assist
ant field cornets. When the tocsin ia sounded
the officers ride from one farm to another
until tho whole country Is warned. The Boer
has rife and ammunition ready. and piece OF
"bltong' or dried beef. on which he can sub
stat for two weeks. He jumps on his horse and
hurries to the gathering place. leaving the
women to farm and herd the cattle.
Gen. Joubert knows the might Of the En- glish.
but has little respect for their craftsmanship.
When wasa boy" he told the writer, IAN
English regiment was Quartered on our farm.
Ono day three hartbeeste sprang up on the
veldt and half the regiment shot at them and
missed. l and two other lads then brought
our rifles to our shoulders, and each brought
down one beeste. That Is tho way we shoot at
the English"