The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-04-18
DIAMOND POLICE.
Precautions Taken in South Africa Against
II Theft.
Netc York Sun.

| Q wonderful institution" q gentleman lately
from the diamond mines at Cape Colony
said. "They are appointed by the Govern.
ment and are incorruptible, although you
may hardly believe that. John Fry, their
chief, Is most remarkable man and has the
best memory of any man 1 have ever met.
He was formerly Judge. His present po-
sition Is one of the greatest importance in
South Africa. He is about 80 years Of age
and very quiet In his manner. He has un-
l der him many white detectives, each Of whom
employs forty or fifty black men and women
to aid him In discovering the theft Of dia-
monds from the mines"
"Are many diamonds stolen ?"
"In the thirteen years that the diamond
mines around the Cape have been worked
more than sl3,O00,0O0 worth Of difmonds
have been stolen. The miners are Cafres,
who steal the diamonds everv chance they
get. Take, for instance, the diamond mines
In Kimberly, which are two miles In diane
ter. In them are forty or fifty mining COM
panies and nearly 10000 miners and other
employees. The diamonds are imbedded in
q dark. colored rock, which is blasted out.
The fragments containing the gems are
spread out on q level field and left to the ac-
tion of the atmosphere. In few weeks the
rock crumbles away and tn, diamonds are
gathered. In blasting out the rock there are
often found free diamonds, which the miners
try to steal. The Kafirs are divided into
squads of ten or fifteen, which are under q
white overseer, who never turns his back on
them. If one of the Kafirs can pick up q
free diamond without being seen, be swal.
lows Il. That is the only way they can con.
ceal 1t, as they are searched before and after
they 60 into the mines"
'Where are they searched?"
ain houses built for the purpose. When q
man goes to work he first enters the search
Ing houses, As they are called, where be Is
compelled to remove all his garments and 10
put on canvass trousers and jacket, which
have no pockets In them. On their return
from work they are again searched, after
which they are allowed to change the can
vas suit. for their own clothing. The search
ers receive $40 q week salary. But these
precautions by no means prevent the steal
ing of diamonds. 1t is impossible to entire
ly prevent the stealing, but these precautions
keep the steslings down to very large ex-
tent. The searching, however, is only a
small matter, compared with the other pre-
cautions"
"what are they?"
"Unless the diamonds can be disposed Of
after they are stolen there Is little good in
stealing them, and toward preventing the
sale of stolen diamonds the diamond police
have done much. Each diamond buyer,
seller, cutter and broker must have license
from the Government. The licensed dia-
mond buyer must have q register, in which
be is required to enter the size, weight snc
appearance of each diamond that he buys,
the name Of the person from whom he buys
1t and the price paid. He must also enter
OH the same register each diamond that he
sells and the name Of the person to whom
he sells 1t. If he Is suspected Of buying
stolen diamonds, the diamond police quietly
seal up his place and compare his stock and
the records on the register. Ifthey do not
tally, and 1t Is apparent he has been buying
stolen diamonds, he Is sent to the prison to
await trial. If he Is convicted, he may be
sentenced anywhere from five years to
twenty years imprisonment. If man buys
or sells diamonds without license he Is
subject to the same penalty"
"What is the cost Of license ?"
"Ths license itself costs 81 900 q year, but
In addition the applicant has to deposit $lO,-
600 to be used as bail for himself If ar
| rested"
"How often are the registers examined p
cat the end of each month they are al
sent to Mr.. Fry, who examines and com
pares them. II some of them appear sus
picious even, Fry has the right to close NJ
the dealers places and to examine theil
stock. He has also the power Of magis
trats. He Is so sharp that he can detect ,
discrepancy at q glance"
"Is IL not possible to buy and sell stoler
diamonds without being found out?"
"Anything Is possible, but there Is great
risk. II person without license buys o.
sells single diamond, he knows that II he Is
found out he may pass the next fifteen year
of his life behind the prison bars. Tho dia
mond police have secret agents, both blaci
and white. Many of the blacks are women
II . miner is suspected Of stealing diamonds
one or more Of these secret agents are told q
watch him. The agent makes the miner
acquaintance In casual way, gains his CON
fdence and has him locked up. Any dia
mond broker who Is suspected of buying
stolen diamond Is also watched. The polio
send Kafr who Is In their employ to hin
with diamond to sell. II the broker buy
II be is arrested and the diamond found 1
his possession is used as evidence agains
him on his trial" ~ ....sa
Have these diamond police TO do Wit
the detection Of crimes other than the stsa
ing Of diamonds ?"
"No. Itiss department established b
tha Government for the one purpose Of pre-
tecting the diamond mining companies, wh
pay to the Government for this protection
per cent. Of the gross receipts"
CO.. pr~rt.tior PbfIosophv