Washington sentinel., 1901-05-18
SOUTH AFRICA.
An Interesting Sketch or General
De Wet by Allen SaDgree.

De Wet by Allen SaDgree.
According to the testimony oi
the foreign military attaches, DE
Wet is not only the most brilliant
military genius that this war has
produced, but the most able tacti-
clan of his generation. Like a
skilful prize fighter, he knows
when to jump in and strike fatal
blow and he knows as well when
to retreat.
Compared with his achieve
ments, those OF Baden Powell or
Kitchener are like burning match
dropped in the ocean. De Wet
himself has not been out OF the
saddle in two years except TO catch
a few hours sleep every day. He
has been surrounded a hundred
times, with no apparent loophole
to escape. In this emergency he
gives a quick order and his alert
though wearied troopers, with the
cry OF "Oop sci, oop sa'el, burgh-
ersr' I'm the saddle, in the saddle,
burghersD, leap to horse and scat
ter like flock of birds. Thew ride
right through the English lines,
and emerge only to gather again
at some appointed place. The
artillery at the same time hitch up
their mules and gallop away like
madmen over some stony path that
would seem impossible, get good
position. and annoy the British,
while De Wet has concentrated his
force upon a detachment that his
gifted brain tells him is i'll fitted to
resist. His scouts are the most
perfectly trained in the world, and
they bring him accurate informa-
ton as to the enemy's position.
When ammunition is nearly ex-
hausted, De Wet makes wide
detour and falls nexpectedly on
baggage train, whence his troop
ers fill up their bandoleers with
cartridges and their hampers with
chocolate and Chicago timed beef.
In the midst of this mortal EN-
barrassment, this farmer general
finds time to joke and humor his
men. While retreating with his
commando north from Brandiort,
we came across Transvaal hello
graph corps at sunrise one morn.
ing, that had intercepted signals
between two English patrols.
When De Wet had been told that
the enemy intended attacking on
the lett flank, he ordered his hello
graphers to signal his thanks, as
his men were about to have break.
iast on the right flank and did not
want to be disturbed.
Personally the man is kind
hearted, agreeable and courteous
to women. On one occasion, at |
the Sand River, he was coming
along at gallop in full retreat with |
a troop following, when well |
known American woman who had
been witnessing the battle, halted
him with a rebuke for running
away. "You oughtto be ashamed.
Why don't you stop and fPht9"
she demanded. "AllemachteW
exclaimed the leader, when this
had been interpreted to him. and
looking the lady over cunningly,
would you have us all killed."
But he was greatly pleased, and
expressed admiration Tor her
gameness-
1t is too early as vet to discuss
the ethics Of De Wet IN the alleged
shooting Of so called peace ENJOYS,
for the Information has come only
through British sources. But in.
asmuch as the Beers In all this
war have never killed a spy, al
though many were captured; never
shot a Tommy trying to escape.
though fifteen burghers we're
pierced with bullets at Cape Town
prison In one week, and have never
hanged a traitor, though many a
one deserved it, we could not
blame him # he did do this. When
a man is tlghting for all he loves
best, he does not receive kindly
the cringing overtures of a rene.
gade.
II this military genius were 20
appear on the streets oil New York
or Boston, he would not invite
second glance, except for his un-
couth garments. Black hair and
beard, high cheekbones, narrow
eyes wide apart. and twinkling with
humor much of the time, a nose
large and aquiline, firm mouth
and chin, makes his face strong
but not distinguished. He is six
feet tall, with muscles OF tempered
steel, rides horseback like a CEN
taur, and always carries a ridicu-
lousy small carbine.
hnnne On HE hrnri- Inr.., Z.