The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-14
THE BOER LEADERS.

Some vivid pen sketches of the Boer
generals who have distinguished them
selves are given i'm the Revue Bleue, by
Mr.. Arthur Lynch whose knowledge of
them judged by his descriptions. seems
to be most intimate. Here are a few OF
the most striking extracts:
GENERAL BoTHA.
General Botha is yet young-.too
young, IL may be said, In the eyes of
many of the Beers who are accustomed
to place confidence only I'm gray hairs.
Judged even by Boer standards,
he Is tail. nearly six feet, broad-shoul-
dered, deep-chested. powerfully built and
muscular. Everything In him bespeaks
health and strength Still there Is moth
ing forbidding In his appearance--his ex-
preston, on the contrary, being very
midland his clear blue eyes beam with
such good will that one feels Immediately
at ease with him. His features
are strongly marked, but very regular,
brown hair and rather thin beard and
mustache completing an admirable
whole.
GENERAL. DE WET.
"De Wet is born tactlcian. He is
older than Botha. being nearly 50. OF
medium height for Boer. he is vigorous,
solid, tough and dry as well-seasoned
timber. His bearing. his gestures. even
his profile, seem TO express resistance.
He has brown hair and beard, rather ir-
regular and ordinary features. and deep,
meditative eyes lit at times with savage
resolve. He has become more and more
taciturn: formerly he consulted his Of
ficers before making decision: now he
hold aloof from them. Silently and pru-
IDENTIFY he studies and prepares his plan
until the minute for its execution. He
then becomes infexible De Wet
has that great quality which also dis
tinguishes Botha-he never grows dis
couraged"
DELAREY.
"Delsrey looks like a peaceable. little,
old, retired farmer He is more than so,
but time has not robbed him OF his youth
full vigor He is thinker. a man OF
learned calculations. At first sight the
superficial observer would refuse to rec
ognize one OF the most energetic and au-
dacious chiefs of the Boer army In this
simple. addressed, patriarchal old man.
His almost yhte beard frames a thin and
whithered features. but his eyes are full
of intelligence. and have the keenness OF
steel. Delarey has the face of a man
who has lost everything but the deter
mination TO fight to the bitter end
vILJEoN
"viljeon Is very tall. straight as a rod.
his athletic muscularity. not excluding
slenderness. well-proportioned. and his
features are Of Grecan regularity. His
mustache and beard are chestnut brown.
lie Is about the same age as Botha, and
20 one would be better qualified 20 supply
the post OF commander-in-chief should
such a necessity occur Viljeon impresses
one as n genial. open-heaterd, cordial
good fellow, but In action he shows all
the dynamic force OF a born soldier"
CHRISTIAN BoTHA.
christian Botha. the youngest brother
OF the eommander-in-chlef. is more than
six feet and although not heavy. he IL
extraordinary muscular. | have seen
few ahtletes-world champions-whose
physiaues could sustain a comparison
with that of Christian Betha-- -Fh4- Young
giant Is very dark. and his features are
anything but classic. but he has fine eyes
and very affable manners. The roar OF
the cannon transform him. All his i'm
mense reserve Of energy is then brought
into play; his ardor animates the whole
band"