Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-09-09
D0ER WAR COUNCIL
DESCRIBED By ONE
WHO WAS THERE.

government = naive, picturesque re-
port OF kroonstad. the Boer flight
thereto from Bloemfontein, and the
subsequent great council OF war held.
"Happfly.". he says. for the Beers.
the English did NOT follow them ND, or
they might have cut up and captured
the lot and secured the important
crossing. As there were no more
troops between us and the English, we
decided TO retire to Kroonstad.
Writing from Kroonstad. he contin-
ues: Here prevails the most extra
ordinary life it has ever been my lot
10 witness. All hotels and private
houses are filled to overfiowing. while
little laagers are spread everywhere in
and outside OF the town. A wild
stream OF wild horses, mules. donkeys
and oxen. and little bodies OF troops
and solitary riders, pour through the
streets, broken by heavy OK wagons
and mule carts driven by whips and
shouts All nationalities and all coll
ors are present, and the most Babylon
ian babble of tongues resound on all
sides. Here are foreign military at
tacnes, surgeons, nurses. regular and
irregular Boer troops, volunteers OF all
arms; officers as well as privates, and,
besides, a goodly lot which | can
stamp only as 'freebooters," for they
40 not belong to any fixed commando,
but look upon the fighting as sport or
ono
them I come across men of high Gull
ture and of first class families, often
fine. handsome men with martial bear
ing, side by side with the worst scum
of the earth.
Many pass from one war to another
nave spoke with some who have gone
through the Greek, Cuban and Philip
pine wars. And what uniform do these
mercenaries wear? None az all, or,
more correctly speaking, each one has
invented his own. The only common
badge is the bandolies across the shout
der and the SLOUGH hat Otherwise
every one wears whatever clothes he
may possess, only so that il is nothing
new. Many OF them who are well off
have donned fantastic costume
SLOUGH hat, with waving ostrich feath-
ers and gold lace, jacket edged with
yellow, orange and green bands, epau-
lets with great gold tassels, white or
gilt buttons, stripes on the trousers, top
boots with spurs, cockades in the hat
and on the breast, and reyolyers in
the belt. At present the Boer troops
are spread all over the place, mostly
without any order or discipline.
Il attended the great council of war
here, presided over by Kruger and
Steyn. Forty Boer leaders were pres
ent. Truly this was a curious collec-
ton of figting farmers 10 the eyes OF
anyone used TO European uniform.
Not one had trace of uniform: no,
not bright button, or a bit OF lace
even, and only one here or there a
clean shirt. But talk they could; flu
emily and expressively they gave their
opinions. Some of them had clearly
natural genius as leaders in war and
showed distinctly wherein lay the
strength and weakness of the Boer
troops. They had not lost courage in
the slightest degree, and had no inten-
ton whatever of throwing up the
sponge. They are powerful, bronzed
anu DNoihCu thithy titeC L<otAH - Win SNt
lines of face and calm and self-con-
scious bearing. Had they and their
men been in possession of more m...-
tary training and skill 1t might have
gone hard with the English President
Kruger opened the council with a pray
er, calling down the blessing of the
upon the cause of the Beers.
President Steyn followed with a brief
review of the situation, and the ex-
preston that if the English thought
they had won the game by occupying
the capital, they were utterly mis-
taken.
'As regards the coal fields at Dundee,
ii was decided, after some discussion,
that they should be destroyed, as they
must be considered contraband OF war,
and would be Of great use to the Eng
fish. General Louis Botha had re-
ceived orders to do so, but refused to
carry them out. as he maintained they
were private property On this point
President Steyn exclaimed. i am not OF
a destructive disposition, but this is
and in accord with the law Of
nations. Does any one think that the
English would let a vessel with coal
for the Transyaal go by? If | had to
blow up half the Orange Free State IN
order to secure the independence OF my
people | would do so.
THE great council then closed with
this passionate appeal by President
Steyn: I close the council In the hope
that every officer realizes the serious
ness Of the situation. II is a question
Of life or death TO us whether we shall
remain an independent nation or be-
come slaves do alf that is In my power
and SO does also my elder brother
{ Kruger). / am no soldier, but you
officers are, and TO you much 10 In
future OF our country.
Your reward will depend ON your ac-
tons. Your task is difficult May God
aid you. We are all mortal, but is
there a more glorious death than TO
fall for your country and people al
the head Of your fellow burghers? May
God help US. The position IL indeed
full Of trouble, but when night is dark
est dawn is nearest. New York
Press.