Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-04-02

Lourenzo Marques, March z9.-Gen.
Joubert, commander in chief OF the
boer forces, died of peritonitis Wednes-
day after a brief illness, and President
Kruger has assumed the chief COM
mand of the boer armies.
Gen. Pietrus Jacobus Joubert was
born about sixty-eight years ago. he
was descended from an old French
Huguenot family which settled IN
south Africa many years ago. He was
born in Cape Colony, but was taken
by his parents. when years old. to
the Orange Free State. He is de-
scribed as having been utterly fear
less.
He was educated. In conse-
auence of the acquisition of Natal by
the British his family moved from
Natal and settled in the Transvaal.
Soon afterwards he became burgher
of the South African Republic and
daring fighter. It was claimed in his
behalf. that he could lead body of
men more successfully against hostile
natives than any other man in the
Transvaal. He came to be so feared
by the natives that the knowledge that
he was at ahe nead CT the punitive ex-
petition usually resulted in their sur
render.
1t was during these wars with the
natives that Joubert became acquaint-
ed with Paul Kruger, and the two men
became bosom friends. He was elect
ed vice president of the Transvaal in
1896. defeated Sir George Colley at Ma
! juba Hill in 1881, and acted as presi-
dent of the republic in 1883-S4 during
Krugers absence in Europe. Gen
Joubert was always in favor OF the
use of force instead of diplomacy, and
President Kruger on several occasions
had great difficulty in depressing his
! hot-headed colleague, notably in 1879
when Joubert, with Kruger and Pre-
| torius, was planning the rebellion tc
overthrow the British rule in the
Transvaal. The result was MaJuba
Hill and the practical independence
of the Transvaal.
Kruger Takes Command.
Brussels, March pa private dis
patch from Pretoria says President
Kruger has taken chief command OF
| the Transvaal forces.
Advance May Be Long Delayed.
j London. March 29.-General French,
who arrived at Bloemfontein from
Thaba Nchu, says Commandant Olivier
has 5000 men and is north of Landy-
brand. Immense quantities OF stores
have now been accumulated at Bloem-
fontein and Lord Roberts infantry is
seemingly about to move. The I'M
preston, which can be traced to the
war office, is abroad that the advance
will begin next Monday. Boer obser-
vation parties are lowering near
Bloemfontein, but Gen. Roberts has
/ 1876 miles to cover before reaching the
great position which the beers are pre-
pairing at Kroonstad. Moving ten
miles day is probably the best he can
| do with field transport. Therefore
he can hardly engage the beers II
1CNOAA~S@
ton of the railway behind him may
even delay the invasion Of the Trans
vaal until May Meanwhile all I'M
portant towns in the Free State WITHIN
Roberts reach are being garrisoned'
Thaba Nchu, Philippolis, Fauresmlth
and Jagersfontein are thus held. Sir
Alfred Miner is touring indisturbed
the newly-acquired territory investl-
eating conditions and arranging the
administration. He is understood TO
be getting materials for report 70
Chamberlain concerning a plan OF civil
government. All morning papers
print singularly kind editorials con-
corning General Joubert. They praise
his military skill and uphold his chlV-
alrous conduct. Although some
Younger commanders thought the old
soldier wanting in dash and enter
prise, his raid into the country south
of the TugeIa is considered the pest