The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-01-26
A TYPICAL ""BoER.
NclLEYre IN THE LIFE OF GENERAL
RI JousHKTi.

Years. -Joubert Camo "within an Ace" Of
Being Elected President--He Was Made
Commander in Chief by Kruger. ,-sif
II is fitting, says the Chicago Trib-
une. that the man who won back in
dependence for the Beers should lead
them In their last night for that which
they prize - dearly.
General Joubert, in many ways o
typical Boer-tall, burly. brave. pro-
foundly attached to his country-has
none Of the obstinacy which usually
marks the Boer character. He is six
ty-eisht years old. II is thrilling to
think of this brave old warrior leading
the little Boer army against the might
OF England. He is probably wiser
than Kruger, who earnestly believes
that the Beers can beat England again,
as they did in 1891. Joubert Is under
no uch delusion. He knows the power
of England. "I leave II now to God,"
he said the other day. 1T may be His
will that the Transvaal shall perish. I
can only do my best"
More than his best, Of course. he
cannot do. But the fear that this
may be the last war he will lead will
not deter General Joubert from enter
ing into the fray with great hope
that God may be on the side Of the lit
tie battalions. He will night with
sword In his hand and Bible In hi3
pocket. D.,
But. though General Joubert is rea-
Ionabls. and even progressive in peace.
he In fierce in war. ] well remember
talking OF war with Verestchasin. the
great war painter. who has taken part
In the wars he has painted, writes q
Pretoria correspondent Of London pa
per. War" said Verestchagin.
makes beasts OF US ALL The soldier
foHstets he Is a man when he Is cut,
ing his fellowmen to pieces and shoot
ing them down like dogs He forsets
when he is killing a man that some
where there is little child crying for
Its father What has he to do with
that? It is like killing game-1 never
remember feeling sorry that had
killed a man. That was what / was
there for. 1t is so absurd to be human
in war. The savages are the only log
tcaa fighters ! ever knew: they wiz
kill their men and eat them"
Joubert does not XII British soldiers
and eat them. but he does not pretend
to find room In war for pity and hui
manitarianism. How can you murder
a man gently? he would probably ask
II attacked on the point. ... -'a
For thirty years Joubert has been
one Of the Boer leaders. Born in Cape
Colony. he comes of an old French
Huguenet family, which had long been
settled In South Africa, and he grew
up. like most other Beers, on farm
Joubert still works on the farm when
the State can do without him, but his
abilities were recognized from the he
ginning OF the republic, and in Cue
course of time he became State attor-
ney and vice-president OF the council.
Once for a short time, he was acting
president OF the republic, but he has
never attained his ambition 10 be elect
ed president, though once or twice he
has come almost within an ace"
OF II. !
Though Kruger and he grew up as
bosom friends, Joubert was Kruger's
opponent in the nrst race for the presi-
dency. He lost. Kruger pollsd twice
as many vetss as Joubert. and at the
close Of the election went up to his
friend shook hands with him, and
made him commander-ln-chief And
this relation they have maintained
EVER since. 4
Tho general knows his army well.
He has divided the Transvaal into
seventeen sections, with a commander
for each division. These again are
ubdivided, and at Joubert's signal the
hat 70 To hair i've .
and march to the field. Every Bcer
has rife always ready, and food
supplies for q fortnight in his house
hold. and he is ever ready to respond
10 his generals call. O.. ..s.
The faith Of the Beers in the general
Is touching, but 1t is not surprising
remembering that Joubert has led .he
Beers IN three successful attacks on
the British. He led at Majuba. where
he lost but Eve men, against 280 Brit
lsh. He defeated the British troops at
Laings Mex. and he taught the raiders
4 sharp lesson at Krugers dorp. tsE'N
At Majuba Hill, where Sir George
Colley fell, JouIbert asked an English
correspondent the name of the British
,fficer who had fallen. The cores
spondent did not know. and together
they walked to the place where the
body lay, the helmet covering the face.
You have killed the bravest man Of
he field" said the journalist, and Jou-
bert replied; Yes, he fought we'll"
He had been writing to England. he
said. for three years to try to prevent
the war.
Joubert had entertained Sir. George
-olley at his house on the latter's frst
,isit to Pretoria. and the British officer
wrote home at the time In appreciatiye
terms Of the kindness Of the Boer COM
nander and his wife, The flushed face
" Mrs. Joubert, he said, could be seen
,eering through the kitchen door. anx-
lous to know II her guest enjoyed her
.ooking. Mrs. Joubert, a marvelously
active woman Of 90, accompanies her
husband In his campaigns, providing
.oT him In his tent, and It is said that
was she who urged the general on at
Mai.aha Hin WHARF he WAS loath IN ha.