The Portland daily press., 1899-12-23
HOW BOERS GO TO WAR.
Die and Boys Take Their Rifles and
Join the Troops.
(London Chronicle. }

(London Chronicie.)
The following 10 n TRANSLATION from q
letter, written from johannesburg, dated
October 1:
On Wednesday Maussr rifles were dis
tributsd over the whole country to the
burghsrs and to those outlanders who
Voluntarily enrolled themselves, upon
which n general commanding (calling
up) followed. There was tremendous
panic in the town, for it Is not SO very
| tranquillzsng 20 sss everysother man with
ride on his shoulder. All large shops
were subs usntiy olossd and nailed up
" It'll iron and wood. The horses, asses
and mules were taken from tie carriages
In the streets to be USED by the troops
On Friday, only from here. six trains
loft with troops for volksrust. do not
| think that there is another country In
the whols world where anything Of the
kind is possible. In twenty-four hours
the burshers armed. called up and trans
ported Ny landlord, D., hos left all In
bis house as 1t was only asking me TO
| look bit after his things and has left
| also.
1t IL a very interesting sight at the
station, and have admired the African
wives and girls for their admirable atti.
tuds. No weeping or crying. nothing OF
that. "Do your duty then kiss, a
| shake hands, and the train went OF with
husbands, brothers, fathers, possibly not
to return again. Thoss left behind
fiourished still long time with hats. etc.
| after the train, above which the four ooiors
| of the flag unfoldsd themselves.
Touching scenes took place. There was
| old Ferreira with his five sons, for In.
stance, he himself a Boer Of the OLD
trekkers' type. and his sons, all six feet
odd.
years or whereabouts has stolen away. and
has asked fer rifle from the weld
kornet," % Join the troops. fhe OLD
man In the end approves his sons desire
"Behave as q man." Is bis word OF leave.
dsmurring, Without Encouragement, all
| have tlocked together at the INST sum-
| mons, leaving all behind, because the
country Is In want OF them. No glitter
| ing epaulets or buttons, no music, no
| bombast or boasting; only calmness and
| Seriousness In those rssolute. tawny
| headsi England win never winl
l was with On old German lady. whose
heart, SO susceptible to love Of the native
country. grew too big. She could not
| help going along all the wagons to press
| Ike rough fists. :,
1
| Is the reply, I'VE cannot positively prom
ise you this, but we shall nevertheless
try"
Il is also q vsry pathetic sight to sac
how great the love for their native conn
try Is with the Beers. Four hundred
| were called up In Qaarter :. krugers-
dorp District, and GO presented them
selves. The commander tried to refuse
these 270, but there was no question OF
| that. In Marankburk $50 were summoned
and 500 appeared. Everybody joins. All
| from the highest to ths lowest rank ars
ready and full of enthusiasm and reliance
| In the Lord Yesterday q clergyman
asked me whether he could not get
place to preach to the Beers. Tho trains
with troops were ready TO start, but wers
detained because the Natal lines were
blocked mp.
I gave him the shed and listsned to tbs
preaching. In very good Dutch he stirred
| the hearts OF those sturdy Beers, their
wives and children. and a general sobbing
was the consequence.