The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-29

haps of not a little Polish, Joubert came
OF an old French Huguenot family, long
settled in South Africa, with strong in
fusion of Dutch blood
Like President Kruger, he was born in
Cape Colony. He was bred on farm and
began life as farmer. But his innate
ability soon lifted him into public life.
He became State Attorney to the South
African Republic, and .afterward Vice
President He had long been ambitious
TO be President, and in 1893 came within
ISL votes of winning this honor from the
great Kruger himself Joubert was very
popular.
In the late seventies, during the troubles
with England that eliminated in the war
under the memory of which England has
smarted ever since, Joubert became a very
prominent figure N Transvaal affairs. He
accompanied Kruger on his memorable
visit 10 England, when the demand for
the independence of the Republic was
formulated. This demand was finally Ie-
fused. and on December 30, 1880, Kruger
Joubert and PretoTius formed themselves
into the triumvirate that declared the Re
public independent.
Then came the memorable war with
Laings Mex Ingora Rion, and Majuba
HILL following in rapid and fatal Sc
quence. Joubert was the hero Of Majuba
Hill. He personally led the force that
dealt England the blow she has neither
forgotten nor forgiven.
Joubert remarked the next day that he
always had supposed the English flag was
red but now he knew it was white; he
had seen it at Maiuba Hill. That remark
completed his conquest of the Beers.
does not comment on his fairness The
Beers, in their Unsuitable ambition to pos
sess outlying lands that England seized
before them, raided Bechuaualand il 1884
The movement was a popular one. The
Beers were flushed with victory. They
believed the land was more theirs than
England's. for they had broken the
ground before England possessed it. But
Joubert stopped it.
Il positively refuse he declared. ito
hold office under Government that ielib-
eTately breaks its covenants. and We have
made covenants with England"
He meant it. He would have resigned
and gone back to his farm. and the Beers
knew il.
JCubert organized the Army of the
Transvaal. He divided the country into
seventeen military departments and each
department again and again into smaller
divisions with commanders. field coTnets
ard GeuteuanJs of various ranks in charge
Every man in the Transvaal became
trained soldier without leaving his farm
Every man had his complete equipment
ready at home. Every man was pledged
to appear at an appointed spot at the
summons.
To mobilize the entire force of the Re-
public Joubert had to send only seventeen
kilograms. The word passed down the
line, and in an incredibly short time hun
dreds CT post riders carried the summons
from farm TO farm. Within forty eight
hours the entire nation would be in arms.
fully equipped and proyisioned for
month, awaiting only the command 10
assemble.
In the old days Of Alajuba HUI the army
thus assembled was an army of sh..rp-
shooters Then J0ubert's proud toast sss
Forty bullets per soldier. and
man per bullet" But game is almost as
scarce in the Transvaal now as in New
Jersey. and with practice lacking the
Beers are not the marksmen they were
Nevertheless. Stevens story of Lombards
kop shows their arm deadly enough.
This story is told OF Joubert and Kruger
in Paris: The general was asked how he
trained the Beers TO such splendid marks
| msnship.
we are hereditary marksmen." he said.
We had TO send our children to school,
ana the country was fuil OF wild beasts and
hafiirs. So every boy had to carry rife
and know how 10 defend himself and his
sisters. He was expected to prove his
| skill by bringing home bags of game
That's how We teach our boys Isn't that
so. Kruger
The burly President, thus appealed to.
pulled his pipe eoatentedly for a few me-
ments and then said: Yes, We make our
boys understand that the meek inherit the
EARTH"
Joubert and Kruger. II IL well known,
were not the warm personal friends they