The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-06-17

Kimberley, where he became connected
with the De Beers mine, even then one of
the most successful, or rather least unsuc-
cessful, of the half hundred mines which
were flooding the market and undersell-
ing each other.
"Mr. Rhodes effected the amalgamation
OF the Kimberly mines. and the success of
the project was attributed throughout
South Africa entirely to Mr.. Rhodes, and
caused him to be regarded as the coming
man. He soon let 1t be understood that it
was in South Africa, not in the old coun-
try, he intended to make his career. He
entered the Cape legislature as member Tor
Barkly West; he made himself sort of
dictator of the diamond fields; he took the
lead of the English party in the Cape, and
he made IL manifest that he belonged to
an entirely different class of politicians
from those with whom the colony had
hitherto been familiar The truth is that
the hour had come for a new departure in
Cape politics, and with the hour the man
was forthcoming in the person of Cecil
Rhodes. ~
at was by the advice of Sir Henry Loeb,
and at his instance, that the chairman of
the De Beers Mining Company. and the
creator OF the Chartered Company, became
downfall of Sir Gordon Sprigg's ministry
in bune, 1890. Since that date, Mr.. Rhodes
has remained in office; and his tenure of
power has only increased his predominant
influence in the colony. He has annexed
Mashonaland; he is about to annex Mata-
beleland, and, if he can carry out his pol
icy, these territories, though up to the
present they are nominally crown possess
sions. will infallibly become part of the
great Cape Colony. He has carried on the
Great Northern railway right through
Bechuanaland, which is regarded by the
Cape as a territory destined very shortly
TO pass under Its direct control. He has
pushed forward the telegraph line, W ich it
is hoped is one day to unite Cape Town
with Cairo, far on its way toward Uganda.
He has established friendly relations be-
tween the Cape Colony, Natal. the Orange
Free State and the South African repub-
lie; he has ind iced the Transvaai to
abandon her policy of isolation, and TO al
low railway communication with Cape
Town on the south and with Durham on
the east. He has constructed the Beira
railway; and he has brought the idea of
South African customs union, which was
previously dream of the future, within
the domain OF practical politics. And,
what is more than all in the opinion of
his fellow -colonists. he has proved, or is at
any rate believed to have proved, that
subdue any of the native warlike tribes
without imperial aid, either in troops or
money.
Even If his endeavors should be frus-
trated, his ministry overthrow and his
influence impaired by financial difficulties
contingencies which in such speculations
as those on which he has embarked are
always possible, if not probable--he has
established the foundations of a united
South Africa. Whether this union, when
established, is to remain part of the
British empire or an independent republic
Is a question which, as We deem, will be-
settled much more by the action of En-
gland than by that of the colony.
The four main features of his policy
NAV be said TO be: South Africa for the
Afrikanders; the gradual absorption of all
territories lying south of the Zambesi In
some description of federal union; the
regulation of the native and labor ques-
tons by the states composing the union,
aud the maintenance of the imperial suzsr-
Ainty of Great Britain.
''In advocating this policy, its author
believed himself to be securing the best
interests of his mother country as well as
OF the colony. Mr. Rhodes Is an English
man 10 the back bone, and strong and
persistent advocate OF tho ideas which un-
derlie all projects of an imperial fedora
ton under the flag of England. But he is
also NlSkuEE MEOUkAFs
that such federation Is only possible II
our colonies, or rather our groups OF COLI
onies, are allowed actual, II not nominal
autonomy, with respect TO the admins
trAtion OF their internal affairs IL the
spirit and temper which have character
ICED the recent attacks on Mr.. Rhodes, the
Chartered Company and the so-called
forward policy OF the Cape Colony should
be DISPLAYED BY any considerable party at
home in their future dealings with South
African questions the colouIsts will IN
doubtedly learn 10 look forward 10 the
formation of United South African Con-
federacy a. the means not Tor consolidate
ing, but for seyering, The connection be-
tween the mother country aud her south
African possessions
To an article in the Revue de Paris Lord
Randolph Churchill attempts 10 tell
French readers something OF what Great
Britain Is doing for the extension OF her
empire, and he pays the following tribute
10 Mr.. Cecil Rhodes: zone cannot speak
Of the Africa Of today nor OF the Africa
Of tomorrow without referring 20 Cecil
Rhodes, probably the best known and
the most powerful colonial statesman OF
this or any other period. Born soSae
foFty-one years ago 81 bishops stortf0rd, 4
little ESSEX village, where he spent his
childhood. he VAS early destined FOR the
church. bat st the age Of 10 symptoms OF
lung disease showed themselves and young
Rhodes Mas sent 10 South Africa This
vas IN l>oa After spending year on =
Natal farm he came back 70 Engsand and
vent 20 Oxford, where be became known
as great sportsman. being, inaeed, for
some time master Of the university drag
hounds. he has always remained faithful
ID k4s 4oFa for hin unsyerssty. aud lie -