National Republican., 1884-05-06
DIAMOND POLICE.
Precautions Used ln South African Din-
mond Mines TO Prevent Theft.

Ns,o ror sun.
"The diamond police of South Africa form
a wonderful institution" gentleman lately
from the diamond mines at Cape Colony said.
"They are appointed by tho government, and
are incorruptiblc, although you may hardly
believe that. John Fry, their chief, is a most
remarkable man, and has the best memory of
any one have ever met. lie was formerly
u judge. His present position is one of the
greatest importance in South Africa. He is
about 80 years of age, aud very quiet in his
manner. lie has under him many white
detectives, each of whom employs forty or
fifty black men and women to aid him in
discovering the thelts Of diamonds from the
mines"
Are many diamonds stolonp
In tho thirteen years that the diamond
mines around tho Cape have been worked,
more than $l3,U000OO worth OF diamonds
have been stolen Tho miners arc Cailres,
who steal the diamonds every chance they
get. Take for instance, tho diamond mines
ofKimberly, which are two miles in diameter.
In them are forty or fifty mining companies
and nearly twenty thousand miners and othor
employees Tho diamonds are imbedded in
dark -colored rock. which is blasted out. The
fragments containing the gems are
spread out on level field and left TO the
action of the atmosphere. In few weeks
the rock crumbes away and the diamonds
are gathered. In blasting out the rock there
are often found free diamonds, which the
miners try to steal. The Cailres are divided
into little squads of fifteen, which arc under
the charge of q whito overseer, who never
turns his back to them. If one Of the Catlres
picks up u free diamond without being seen
he swallows it, That is the only way they
can conceal it, as they arc searched before
and after they 90 into the Mines
'Where are they searched?'
"In houses built Tor the purpose. When q
man goes to work he first enters the search
houses, rs they are called, whore he is COM
PEELED to remove all his garments and to put
on canvas trowsers and a jacket which have
no pockets in them. On their return from
work they arc again searched, after which
thoy are allowed TO change their canvas suits
for their own clothes. The searchers receive
$40 week salary. But these precautions by
no means prevent the stealing of diamonds.
1t is impossible to entirely prevent the steal
ing, but tho precautions keep the stealing
down to very large extent. The searching
however, is only small matter compared
with the other precautions"
What arc thoyY
"Unlcss the diamonds can bo 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 diamond
buyer must keep u register, in which he is re-
quired to enter the size, weight, and appearance
of each diamond ho buys, tho name of the
person from whom he buys it and the price
paid. lie must also enter on the same regis
ter each diamond that he sells, and the name
of tho person n whom he sells it, 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. If they do not tally. and 1t is ap-
parent ho has been buying stolen diamonds,
he is sent to prison to await trial. If he is
convicted, he may be sentenced anywhere
from FIVE years to twenty years imprison-
ment. If Il man buys or sells diamonds
without license he is subject to the same
penalty"
what is the cost of license ?"
"Thc license itself costs $1,000 year, but
in addition the applicant has to deposit $l0,-
900, to bo used as bail for himself if arrested"
"How often arc tho registers examined ?'
"At the end Of each month they are all
sent to Mr.. Fry, who examines and compares
| them. If some Of them appear suspicious
even. Fry has the right to close up tho deal
ers' places and to examine their stock. He
has also the power Of a magistrate. Ho is sC
| Snarp tnuI ue Cdn ueteCb ulsCrepaucy III u
glance"
"Is it not possible to buy and sell stolen
diamonds without being found out"
Anything is possible. but there is n great
risk If II person without license buys OF
sells a single diamond, he knows that if he is
found out he may pass the next fifteen year.
of his life behind prison bars. The diamond
police have secret agents, both black and
white. Many of the blacks are women. If q
miner is suspected of stealing diamonds one
or more of these secret agents are told tt
watch him. The agent makes the miner:
acquaintance in u casual way, gains his con
| fidence and has him locked up. Any dia
mond broker who is suspected of buying
stolen diamonds is also watched The
police send Il Cailre, who is in their employ
] to him with n diamond to sell. The Caif'rC
/ tells the broker that he found or stole it. Il
the broker buys it he is arrested, and the
diamond found in his possession is used u:
evidence against him at his trial"
Have these diamond police to do with the
detection of crimes other than the stealing
of diamondsW
"No. 1t is n department established by
the government for the one purpose of pro
tecting the diamond mining companies, who
| nay TO the government for this protection II
| per cent. of tho gross receipts"