The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-04-20
A MILITARY GENIUS.
Without Any Training He Astounds
the Taciicians.

Without Any Training He Ast0unds
the Taclicians.
The man OF the hour for South .Afri-
ca, Christian De Wet, has proved him
self hero and statesman in one, says
George Stevens, the war correspond
ent. He has been the Wellington Of
President Kruger. Outside of that
there is Il simple loyalty of thought
and purpose expressed in his acting
similar to that which was shown i'll
the simple life and devotion of Presi-
dent Lincoln.
We who have known him have Il
thorough appreciation of the man. To
look at Christian De Wet one would
not think that he was anything out of
the common run of humanity. Had
events shaped themselves differently.
he might have made Il new page in
history.
There is no doubt that his strategic
work will be regarded as one of the
masterpieces of military tactics.
Reports may get a little twisted over
the cables concerning the character Of
his maneuvcrings. 1t may be alleged
that De Wet has punished men to the
full extent of military law, not omit
ting the eXacting of the full penalty.
Left in supreme command, he is en-
titled to adopt that position. No inter
national tribunal would adjudge him
guilty of having exceeded his author
ity Britain would not dare do so.
Such action would be- picayune.
Has there been cause for asserting
that De Wet acted unfairly i'll carry
ing out his purposes? Has he made a
treacherOus use of the white flag? Has
he allowed his men to fire on ambu-
lances loaded with the victims of his
sharp-shooters? Has he taken unfair
advantage of his foe in any way what
ever that would not he classified as Il
justifiable act under the ordinary
rules of war?
These are the questions to be an
swered that will undoubtedly be
threshed out despite the pro-British
sympathy of the press We who know
Christian De Wet do not believe that
an inconsiderate act could be done by
him. The unseltshness and humanity
Of the man is an absolute denial to
such propositions.
One instance is enough to prove this
Three scouts belonging to- a yeomanry
regiment We're captured by him. They
had been captured before, and were
liable to have met a short shrift ut the
hands of certain captors
When they We're brought before
Gen. De Wet they were expecting that
the end of their cnemy's patience had
been reached. The calm impressive
eyes Of their judge gave no sign of
what he was contemplating Finally
he said: My boys, will you take
from me Il message to your gencral?''
To men who imagined that they had
reached the end of their rope this
question created such II revulsiOn of
feeling that they We're speechless.
II simply want to give you letter
for him which | shall trust to your
honor to deliver" said the general.
He retired for II brief time and re.
turned with IN official document from
the rear of his tent, where his private
secretary was located.
The captives with surprise accepted
their discharge under the conditions
and were soon on their way back to
Gen. Rundle's camp
Their immediate idea was that the
Boer general had entrusted them witt,
peace negotiations and had been only
too glad of the opportunity to open
them up in this way
Upon reaching the presence OF Gen
Rumble they We're welcomed warmly
. Tho general tore open the letter and
read:
. dear Gen. Rumble: This is the
fourth time l have captured these
raging devils of yours. Please chain
them up. They annoy me.
DE WET"
5 From the beginning of his career rs
a soldier De Wet has been the same
: man always. He received no military
) training beyond what he got in the
present war and from the skilled sold
iers of various nations that tiocked tC
, his service
But with his command of the geo
: graphical situation of South Africa he
was able to nstound tacticians.