The Irish standard., 1905-05-13

peace hath her victories no less
renowned than war;" So said Milton,
and so repeats Gen. G. D. Joubert, the
cavalry leader of the Orange Free
State, says the New York Sun.
"It is quite true," he says. chat
if we had not been defeated in South
Africa 1 should never have known
the pleasure of meeting the Ameri
can ladies on their native heath. That
is compensation for many battles"
But the women who gather about
Gen. Joubert at receptions, at after
noon teas and elsewhere are only
small percentage of the sympathizers
he has discovered in his lecture tour
about the United States, during which
he has explained the mystery of how
so small number Of unframed Boer
farmers could wage battle for three
years with the disciplined troops Of
the British empire.
It has been roughly estimated that
every Boer soldier cost the British
government 100000. The Boer lead
ers, of course, came higher. Gen.
Joubert repeats remark made on
this point by w. T. Stead when he
entertained him and two companions
while they were travelling in England
to regain their health after the war.
AS the imposing trio entered Mr..
Stead said:
"You men are interesting to meet.
You cost the English government
AsO0,OO0,O0O."
Until that moment" says Gen.
Joubert, although we knew the price
was heavy one, we did not know the
exact sum. It really did stagger us
to hear it in round numbers"
Gen. Joubert is stalwart and swar-
thy with coal black hair and the
regulation cavalry mustache. His
eyes are dark and flashing and his
gestures constantly remindful of a
man accustomed to command.
"You know" he says; with just
touch of the Dutch accent, Gimme
diately after the war I went to Europe
and for the last year have been in
California and other parts of the
West. The trip has not been one en-
tirely of recuperation, but rather a
study of conditions.
"The California land is in many re-
spects like our own, only it is more
productive. I think of all the cities
of the United States, If I were to
settle in your country, should choose
San Francisco, perhaps because it is
in a rolling country and we of South
Africa love our hills. But it is a
much more attractive land than ours.
1T would almost seem as if God
was on the side of the strongest bat
talions. He certainly has cursed our
land since the war.
"Not only has there been the pest
of insects, but the longest drought on
record, one lasting twelve months,
has caused the inhabitants much dis
tress. ! 1t is country, like some of
your lands in the West, requiring
constant irrigation, but never has It
seen such terrible time, and now,
too, when it needs all the help of ma
ture to recuperate!
"When I made my tour through the
states it was with the half formed
wish that somewhere in your borders
we might settle, finding country
where we could make second
Orange Free State; but your land has
been picked over, the best has been
taken and what is left is not suit
able for our purpose.
Land such as we need has been
offered us by the Argentine Confed-
GRAFTON of South America, and 1t is
there 1 intend to make my home.
Thither many families have already
trekked and many others are merely
waiting the word to come.
"They have offered us an almost
unlimited tract, 500 hectares to each
man. The place is 1,200 feet above
sea level at the foot of the Andes.
IN many respects it resembles the