Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-08

Then came the memorable war; with
Laings Mex, Ingoga and N1ajuba Hill
foliowinS in rapid sequence. Joubert
was the hero of Majuba Hill. He per-
Sonally led the force that dealt Eng
land the blow she has neither forgotten
nor forgiven
Joubert remarked the next day that
ne always had supposed the English
nag was red, but now lie knew it was
while; he had seen it ut Majuba Hill.
rms remark has been much quoted.
Many things written about Joubert
comment on his fairness. as we'll as his
moderation. The Beers, in an effort to
possess outlying raids. raided Bechuan-
aland In 1884. The movement was a
popular one. The Beers were flushed
with victory. They believed the land
was more theirs than Englands for
they had broken the ground before
England possessed 1t. But Joubert stop
ped IL.
Il positively refuse" he declared, ito
hold office under government that
dellDerately breaks its covenants, and
land"
He meant it. He would have resign
ed and gone back to his farm, and the
Beers knew It,
Joubert organized the present army
OF the Transvaal. He divided the coun-
try into seventeen military depart
ments. and each department again and
again into smaller divisions. with COM
manders field comets and lieutcnants
IN charge. Every man in the Transvaal
became n trained soldier without leav-
Ing his farm. Each had his complete
equipment ready at home. and was
pledged to appear at an appointed spot
a the summons.
To m0hIlf1n hn
Republic Joubert had to send only sew
enteen kilograms. The word was pass
| cd down the line, and in an incredibly
shot time hundreds of post riders car
ried the summons from farm to farm.
Within forty-cight hours the entire ma
ton was in arms, fully equipped and
prCvisioned for month awaiting only
the command to assemble.
In the days of Majuba Fill the army
thus assembled was an army of sharp
shooters. Then Joubert's oft-quoted
saying was true-"forty bullets per SOL
der, and a man per bullet" 1t. is still
true In lesser degree.
This story is told of Joubert and
Kruger in Paris: The General was ask
ed how he trained the Beers to such
srlendid craftsmanship. I'VE are her
cditary marksmen," he said I'VE had
to send our children TO school. and the
country was full of wild beasts and
kaftirs. So everybody had to carry n
rifle and know how to 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
puffed his pipe contentedly for a few
moments and then said:
Yes; but we make our boys under
stand that-tho meek nherit-the earth"
Jcubert and Kruger, it is said. had
not recently been the warm personal
friends they once were. Not that there
vas enmity or even coldncss between
them but they had drftcd apart. This
was unavoidable between two such
men. when Joubert grew big enough to
become serious rival to the Boer
President. Twice they ran against each
other for the Presidency, but in the last
election Kruger. because of his more
pronounced antiBritish attitude. far
outstripDed his rival
Like Kruger. General Joubcrt has a
popular nickname in the Transvaal, but
not one nearly so affectionatc as loom
Paul, though it is compliment to his
abilities. He is known far and wide as
Slim Piet." "Slim" has no reference
to his physical being. 1t is the Rocr
word for shrewd. or crafty. and how
slim" Joubert really is the British
have discovered to their sorrow.