The Washington times., 1902-05-04
MICHAEL DAvITT ON THE
B0ER FIGHT FOR FREEDOM
The Mastery of the Pacifc-Destiny in
American History-The Fight
ing Bishop"

The following sketch OF the captor Of
General Mctnuen is from the advance
sheets of Michael Davitt's book. "The
Boer Fight for Freedom" Funk e. wag-
nails Coz. Mr.. Davitt became personally
acquainted with the leading Boer gen.
erals in a visit to the seat of war in
South Africa in 1sso-19oa. Throughout
his book he speaks in the highest terms
of General Delarey's military genius.
He not only ascribcs to Delarey's strategy
the first victory of the war, the cap
ture of an armorcd train at Kraaipan,
and the most demoralizing defeat of the
British. the slaughter of the Highlanders
at Magersfontein. but also gives him
equal credit with De Wet for the change
in Boer tactics after the defeat of cronje,
from organized resistance TO guerrilla
warfare plan Of campaign which
Da"itt confidently asserts is bound in the
end to win Independence for the brave
little nation of indomitabIe Dutch blood
and Huguenot martyr spirit. Declares Mr..
Dayitt:
Jacob Hendrick Delarey. who fought
the first successful engagement of the
tenburg, ffty-four years ago. His father
was born in the Orange Free State and
was OF Huguenot origin. He took part
with Pretorius in driving the English out
OF Bloemfontein in 1913 and had his farm
and property coniiscated after Sir Harry
Smith had reversed the situation by fore
ing the old Boer warrior back again across
the vaal. The DeiaTeys sought new
home in the west Of the Transyaal, where
Jacob Hendrick spent his early life. The
general is a man over the medium height.
sinewy in build and remarkable for his
quiet. dignifed manner. He has deep
set dark eyes, prominent Roman nose.
and large dark brown beard, giving to
his face a strong, handsome and patrician
expression.
He was born Of a fighting family. and
has had the experience aud training of
campaigns in conflicts with hostile Kaffir
tribes. His first command was in the war
which the English melted the Basutos to
wage against the Free State in the early
sixties. when he was quite young. These
experiences qualified him for q promi-
nent military position when the present
war broke ont and he was unanimously
elected TO the command OF the Lichten-
burg burghers, who became part OF
Cronje's western column.
He represented his native district in
the Nolksraad for ten years, and was a
consistent supporter OF the Joubert, as
against the Kruger, following in that as
sembly. He favored a large franchise
concession 10 the Uitlanders as means
of averting conflict with England, but
soon saw that a demand for political re-
form was only a pretext for precipitat-
ing a conflict. He was one of the most
ardent advocates of an attacking as
sgainst a defensive military policy when
England forced resort to hostilities
upon the republic.
Like General COME, he carries no
weapons in the field. His field glass.
wooden pipe. and. last but not least. his
Bible, are his inseparable companions.
He Is universal favorite with the
burghers of both republics, and inspires
great confidence in his men by his al
most unerring military Judgment. splen-
did generalship. heroic courage, an in
domitable tenacity of purpose, and an all |
round resourcefulness in all emergencies. |
''He is remarkably self-contained in his |
actions. never getting excited, even in the /
Lhickest of the fight. but always remain
ng cool, cautious, and alert" !