New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-29

he was nineteen years old. In spite of this lack OF
educa tionaI advantages he acquired fair knowl-
edge OF history and the languages through his
efforts
Joubert was taught from childhood 10 hate the
British, when the latter acquired Natal ne de-
cded to into the TransvaaL Here his
abilities as q fighter soon brought him the front,
for fl the frequent conflicts with the blacks his
capacity leader against the natives caused his
services to be in great demand It in Of
these expeditions TO put down native rising that
Joubert made the acquaintance Of Kriger. They
became fast friends, and although they were
times rivals the Presidency and differed on mat
ters Of policy, they were always devoted to each
other
It in the late seventies when Joubert first saw
any Of the world outside of South Africa He then
accompanied Kriger 10 London, and with him
sought the independence of the TransvaaL On
their South Africa from their unsuccess-
ful mission Joubert joined KRUGER and Pretorus in
the triumvirate that declared the republic inde-
pendent In the with Great Britain that fol-.
lowed Joubert distinguished himself Tor the lf5t
time, SO far the work outside OF South Africa
was concerned, by defeating the British forces
under Sir George Coley at Majuba Hill in 1881
The straIghtforwa ardness Of the character Of Jou-
bert is shown by two incidents. The first was in
1871 when. after Sir Theophllus shepstone issued
his proclamation annexng the Transvaal TO the
British Government, KRUGER and the other coun-
cillors. after formally protesting against the act
nevertheless straighrway took Office British Of
hciaIs. Joubert the other hand positively re-
fused TO accept such Office, for In doing so he
must swear allegiance to the British Crown and
recognize its sovereignty Again in 1884 when i'm
mediately after the Beers had signed the conver-
ton Great Britain by which the borders of the
republic were defined, they seized BechuanaIand
and attempted 10 annex ii, Joubert stopped the
movement by refusing 10 lead the army. Y posi-
lively refuse" he declared Ito hold office under a
government that deliberately breaks its covenants
and we have made covenants with England"
The success Of the TTansvaaI against Great
Britain 1881 and the ability of the Beers in
present war hold the British army in check for
many months doubt largely Gen
eral Joubert's organization OF the South African
forces. In preparing for the contest which he
thought TO come he divided rhe country
into seventeen military departments, aI' each de-
partment again and again into snalle divisions
with commanders field cOrnets and liel Of
various ranks in cnarge- Every IN the Trans
vaal became a trained soldier without leaving his
farm. Every man mad his complete equipment
ready at home. Every man was pledged 10 appear
a. an t II,t4 80 ~, sarS
lhe elITe Iorce OF lle It~iy1lC lat ~
the line and IN incredibly short time hundreds
farm Il was Joubert too. who was responsible
for the purchase OF the excellent artillery employed
Although he had early become the military leader
OF Beers. he aspired 70 civil office too At
various times he served as State Attorney and as
Vice-President anq for snort time once was
btion 70 be President of the republic though once
rival President KRUGER. on one Of these occasions
when ne defeated al the close of che election
Kruger shook hands with his friend and appointed
him Cornmander-in-Chef.
II was reported by some authorities that Joubert
was in the earlier contest with the British, in
clined make no use Of diplomacy also that after
e had caught Dr.. Jameson and his raiders he
favored their immediate execution. But at the be
ginning of the present ne showed a mod
crate spirit. II KRUGER who dragged the Trans
vaal into the war, while Joubert favored a further
appeal for diplomacy.
In appearance JOubert was about i've feet ten
inches in height and soldly built He had a bushy
gray beard and d face tanned by the african sun.
There was not ounce Of superfuous flesh on
him. He strong an OK, and possessed an
endurance that remarkable for OF
siXtv-eight As tacttCan he acted
verely on the defensive. concealing mis- behind
earthworks and other obstacles. and trusted TO
their craftsmanship TO prevent their position from
being taken
Reports of his III health have been common of
late and there stories too OF mis- unpopularfty
loss Of authority but the general opinion
that he experimenting the construction OF
defences for Pretoria in readiness for the expected
siege by Lord Roberts. HIS death following the
capture Cronje deprves the Beers of the services
of their able nders