Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-12
HOW BOERS GO TO WAR.
Men and Boys Take Their Rihes.apd
Join the TrOOps

From the London Chronicle.
The following is a translation from a let
ter, written from johannesburg dated De-
toher 1:
On Wednesday Mauser rifles were dis
tributed over the whole country to the
"purghers" and to those ''outlanders'' who
voluntarily enrolled themselves, upon which
a general Commanding calling up fol-
lowed There was tremendous panic i'm
the town, for ii is not so very tranuuilizinc
TO see every other man with rifle on his
shoulder All large shops We're subsequent
ly closed and nailed up with iron and
wood The horses asses and mules were
taken trom the carriages in the streets to
be used by the troops. On Friday only
from here, six trains with troops left for
Nolksrust. l do not think that there is
another country in the whole world where
anything of the kind is possible In TWEEN
ty-four hours the '.burghers'' armed called
up. and transported! My landlord D. has
left all i'll his house it was only asking
me to look bit after his things and has
left also.
1t is very interesting sight at the STA
ton, and | have admired the African wives
ana girls for their admirable attitude. No
weeping or crying. nothing of that. do
your duty, then kiss, a shake hands and
the train went off with husbands brothers,
fathers, possibly not to return again Those
left behind fourished still long time with
hats, etc, after the train. above which the
=
selves.
Touching scenes took place There was
old Ferreira with his five sons for in
stance he himself Il Boer of the old trek
kers' type, and his sons all six feet odd
An old Boer finds his son of fifteen years
or Whereabouts has stolen away. and has
asked for a rife from the "veldkornet' TO
JOIN the troops. The old man in the end
approves his sons desire. Behave as a
man." is his word of leave. Old and young.
rich and poor. without demurring without
encouragement, all have fiocked together
at the first summons, leaving all behind.
because the country is in want of them. No
glittering epaulets or buttons. no music no
bombast or boasting: only calmness and
seriousness in those resolute, tawny heads!
England will never win,
l was with an 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 the
re Ugh fists.
"Will You all come back?' "Missus.'' is
the reply, we cannot positively promise
you this. but we shah nevertheless try,
II Is also very pathetic sight to see how
great the love for their native country is
with the Beers. Four hundred were called
up in Quarter 2. Krugersdorp district. and
GO presented themselves The commander
tried to refuse those go, but there was no
summoned and 800 appeared Everybody
joins. All from the highest to the lowest
rank are ready and full of enthusiasm and
reliance in the Lord. Yesterday a clergy
man asked me whether he could not get a
place to preach to the Beers tthe trains
with troops were ready to start, but We're
detained because the Natal lines was
blocked up).
I gave him the shed and listened 10 the
preaching. In very good Dutch he stirred
the hearts of those sturdy Beers. their
wives and children, and general sobbinp
was the consequence.