The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-03-08

THE r. T. BOOTH CO., ithaca, N. 7.
descent and settled in our part of the
world under the Dutch East India Com
sany.
His people joined in the Great Trek
1916 and he settled with them in the
Transvaal.
1--WE first heard of Cronje in 1881, when
he was elected Communicated General OF
the Burgher troops of the Potchefstroom
Division. Against him was pitted Major
Clarke, of the British Army in that year
of warfare which ended at Majuba Hill.
Major Clarke eapitulated to Gen. Cronje.
The peace papers were signed by them.
Gen. Cronje occupied an important
position and figured conspicuously in the
settlement of these difficulties. Let me
say here that we of South Africa con-
sidered Gladstone the fairest statesman
England ever had.
'Cronje has a great heart as well as a
great head He treats his prisoners with
the greatest consideration
| Here is how we of the Orange Free
State came to have Cronie at the head
| of our troops: Our own Commanding
| General was Gideon Joubert, no relative
of Piet Joubert, but he was too old to
direct forces on the field, having reached
his eightieth year. 1t was agreed be-
tween the Orange Free State and the
South African Republic that the Free
State should send men to the southern
border OF the Transvaal Gen. Cronje
for time was at the siege Of Mafeking,
but he was ordered to join Commandment
Lubbe's Free State forces at Magersfon-
TEN. When 1t was learned that Gen. Me-
thuen, with 24.00Omen, was on his way to
relieve Kimberley. Cronje brought 5000
men only with him.
"CronJe took command Of the united
forces. He is a cIear-headed and deter
mined man. A man of uncommon COM
mon sense and a brave man.
L was in Bloomfontein before the war
and during the early part of the war. I
saw Sir Arthur Miner ride through the
streets of our capital with his face set
He did not want the difficulty settled.
Brabant, now Of Brabant's Horse, said
he would ride the length and breadth of
the Free State with 1900 horse, but he
was told that he could not do it with ten
times that force,
err of the Free State forces we wish that
our grave old Gideon Joubert were able
to take the field. He fought in the Basu-
to war. His strategical planning was
marvellous. Indeed the art of strategy
is born in South Africa. There is some
thing about the topography of the coun-
try which lends itself to such skill and
the wars with the natives have added to
the Beers ability to stand off the enemy
men of the moment, and unlike many
generals, our leaders confer with the
humblest private and follow advice, if
considered good, no matter whence the
source.
Although we do not allow an ordinary
burgher to come and make suggestions,
interviews with men in camp are regard
ed as part of the plan of campaign. Our
generals and field comets may be seen
listening to an ordinary soldier. In this
way ideas are developed and good plans
9nsue.
IF a mans advice is followed his rise
from the ranks is immediate, and thus
there are always men in line for promo
ton.
MY own brother, C. H. Vessels, is
chairman of the War Council. He was
in the Basuto war, but that was moth
ing. 1t may be said that this is his first
experience in warfare. He has read ev-
erything on the art, however. He Is a
student of Napoleon and Washington. He
recently visited Europe. AS O. result he
is carrying on the work like an old cam
paigner.
II have been in New York but a short
time, but letters and visitors are over
whelming in their expressions of good
will. I accept no offers from those who
want to fight for the Beers, but 1 tell
them TO wait. The time may come
IF you see boy and a. man fighting
and the boy is doing pretty we'll you do
not interfere, do you? But once let the
man overpower the boy and you will
separate them
The South African Republic and the
Orange Free State never will be slaves"