The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-14
THE BOERS' NEW COMMANDER.
Gen. Louis Bothn Described by n
COrrespOndent.


Correspondent.
CINCINNATI. Ohio. May ia letter
from Lourenco Marques, under date of
April /. says:
The untimely death of General Joubert
has brought to the front one of the most
remarkable of the younger Afrikanders,
Louie Botha. He was but thirty-six years
of age when he was suddenly called upon
to take supreme command of the Federal
forces in South Africa.
THE nomination was made in the first
instance by the late General Joubert him
self. 1t was confirmed by President Kruger
and enthusiastically approved by the bur-
ghers in arms. No instance OF such rapid
progress has ever occurred in modern
times.
When the war broke out he was SIM
pie commandment. General Jouberts tenn
porary indisposition placed him in COM
mand at the battle of Colenso. Then Presi-
dent Kruger sent him to supersede Gener-
ais schalk Burgher and Cronje at Spion
kop. March 3.
he was appointed Lieutenant General Of
the forces in Natal, and at the end of
the month he succeeded General Joubert.
Rapid as was his promotion, 1t has ex-
cited no heart-burnings. nor have those
whom he has superseded refrained from
enthusiastically approving his selection for
the supreme command.
Louis Botha was born under the British
flag. The Bothas are an old Natal family
and Louis saw the light of the world at
Greytown. Natal. in 1864.
when but a boy ne left Natal and set
tied in the Free State. He was from his
youth lad of mettie, restless, pushing.
and energetic. When, therefore. the Boer
filibusters. or emigrants. from the Trans
vaal went forth to help Dinizulu and set
tied that part of Zululand which was called
the New Republic. and afterward became
an integral part of the Transvaal Republic.
Louis Botha, mere youth, went also.
He was one OF the early pioneers who
took up farms in the newly acquired terri
tory. There. close to the Swat frontiers,
some thirty-five miles northeast of Vry-
held, he has built his beautiful homestead
and laid out his estate. He lived there
rather in a style of an opulent English
squire than of a Boer herdsman.
Louis Botha speaks English fiuently. He
has strong prediction for the Irish and
married beautiful Irish lady, stately in
appearance and very charming in DISPOSE
ton. Mrs. Botha was Miss Emmett and
belongs to the identical family of which
the celebrated ill-starred Irish patriot was
the most famous member.
THE Botha homestead could compare
very fayorably with first-class American
farm. Theb uildings are substantial and
attractive in appearance. the park laid out
in English style. 1t is altogether a SUI
peTior home.
"A plentiful supply of good books in sew
eral languages are to be found in library |
which. for African conditions, must be |
termed a well-stocked one. flrst-class |
piano and organ and excellent furniture |
complete an ideal country geItlemans |
home.
Here he lived quiet life, taking, how
ever. his full share in the government.
He was a member of the Volksraad and
belonged to the progressive party. in COM
mon with General Joubert.
He was strong opponent Of monopoies
and the dynamite concession, of which
Oom' Paul was the stanchest supporter.
He seldom spoke in the Assembly. but
when he did he spoke to the point and
earned the soubriquet of The Wise in
Council
He had his baptism of fire as young
officer under Lucas Meyer in the war
igainst Dinizulu's enemies. Ever since
lie has been a marked man. De Villebois-
Nareuil was an ardent admirer of Botha.
md many a time expressed the belief in
MS irresistible courage and sagacity.
THE army chaplain whom Sir Charles
Warren sent to bury the English dead Z
lfter the battle at spion Kop described
lin vehement. full of fiery indigno ,
ion against the English. resolute. but
lot disincined to listen to common
ense
He is very unassuming in his looks. 1
lie seems just what he is-a hardy.
trong minded, well-built and shrewd
on of the soil. The audacious tactics Of
he Beers during the recent weeks are l
o be attributed to his guidance solely,
s he is the ideal leader for a guerrilla
warfare carried on by means of swift,
arassing movements.
THE Beers look up TO him already
nth the same confidence which they be-
lowed upon Joubert, and the temporary
iscouragements have given way to conf
epp nd cd cpiri |