The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-31
AN african war Imminent
Political Crisis in the kaffir Re9iOn
May Start a Panic.
THE ENGLISH RESPONSIBLE
Their Efforts to Incite n Revolution Has
Aroused tho Anger Of the BOcrs-A
Glance Mt the Land of
Gold and Diamonds.

rights with the Beers. has reached a
most acute stage. The exodus of wo-
men and children is increasing. All
trains leaving this place are crowded
and food stuffs have become high
priced.
All kinds of bellicose rumors are cur
rent and the government has notified
the burghers to be ready for active
service i'm case OF emergency.
The Mercantile association has formed
itself into a town bodysuard, for the
purpose CT preserving order and pro-
tecting life and property. They will
not take part in revolution or riot
of any kind and have asked the govern
ment To supply them with arms and
ammunition.
Several of the leading mines are ex-
pected to close today.
President Kruger, in an interview,
expressed regret for the present agita-
tiOn, and said:
If the position is aggravated many
disastrous consequences are to be ap-
pretended especially in mining and COM
mercial enterprises. The present atti-
tude of the Uitlanders does not con-
duce to calm consideration of their al
legged grievances. The government will
give them an opportunity for free
speech, such as does not incite to re-
beilion; but the government is fully pre-
pared 10 stop any movement aiming at
disturbance of law and order"
Hopeful View in London.
London, Dec. 30.-The stock exchange
was quiet today. In connection with
the settlement the failure of an opera
tor in American railroads was an
nounced. Consols We're 5-l6 lower on
the less hopeful view now taken of ,..e
political situation.
The feature of business on the ex-
change today was the weakness of
south African securities. due to the sit
uation in the Transvaal. Prices IN
"kaifirs' are still failing.
Those who have watched the course
of affairs In the South African Reuub-
lie are not at all surprised at the news
from johannesburg. The source of the
trouble there is conjectured to come
from one Of two sources. Either the
Diamond Syndicate, composed of Cecil
Rhodes De Beeres and others, are de-
termined to add to Cape Colony, and
thus bring under the British flag the
rich diamond mines of the Transvaal.
or the reported Revolutionary" move
ment Is merely part of II great stock
Jobbing plan, engineered by the pro-
moteiS of "kaftirs" on the London stock
market II the latter is true, 1t prob
ably marks the beginning Of the end of
the "kaffir" speculation abroad. which
has made a few enormously rich and
thousands.
In the Witwatersand district are To-
Gated the gold mines, and the yearly
output of these mines is estimated at
the extraordinary sum Of $4,000 900.
England has had a longing eye upon
this valuable territory. In March, 1890.
an attempt was made to create a revo-
luton there. The inception of this at
tempt was easily traced to British in
tluences President Kruger at that
time had to flee for his nfe to Pont-
which is thirty miles from
Johannesburg.
The present attempt to create trouble
has attracted widespread attention in
France and Germany, and the English
will receive a decided pro-
test from both these Powers If the
trouble is not soon settled.
English Own the Diamonds.
The rich fields OF diamonds and gold
in the Dark Continent" are almost
i'm the hands of English
men, who have formed a syndicate
headed by Cecil Rhodes, the British
Premier of South Africa: Barney
Barnato and Albert Bite. whose wealth
Is set down as $45. 100000. and others.
There is French syndicate. but Brit
ish financial influence Is far in advance
of 1t. The English syndicate Is so pow
erful that it has cornered the diamond
market, and simply sells from its i'm
mense stock when there is a demand.
This is done to maintain high prices
One of the members of this syndicate
told an American theatrical
manager recently that if he desired ne
could reduce the price of the valuable
diamond that he wore in ring on his
finger to ten cents by overs.oCking the
market.
1t is therefore plain that the revolu-
talk in johannesburg is due to
the Vaccinations of these millionaire
Englishmen, who are dcsirous of OBJ
tanning control of other property that
belongs to the Beers.
There is no love lost between the
Beers and the English. The former are
a race of men who are magnificently
endowed physically. They are as fear
less as they are upright. and will not
brook interference with their rights
without making stubborn resistance
The English have good reasons for
knowing the fighting characteristics of
these people.
Johannesburg. the largest town in the
Transvaal, Is just 1000 miles from Cape
Town by rail through Cape Colony and
the Orange Free state Eight years ago
there was not a house standing on the
site of what Is now bustling city of
65. 900 to 10000. The greater part. by far.
of this development has been within
the past two years-since the new rail-
road was extended to the gold mines
The buildings are mostly of frame, zinc
being used for ornament. Quite recent
ly brickmaking was started In johann
nesburg. so that brick structures are
now beginning to bob up over the town.
On the whole. the stores, public build
ings and residences are of a substantial
and creditable character. Johannes
burg has fair climate. but is ham,
pered by the terrific dust storms pre-
valent in that country.
Another trouble in Johannesburg is
the lack of a sewerage system. and
equally inconvenient is the scarcity
Of water. The town has sprung up in
a wilderness. with only a few scanty
creeks available. A project to bring
water from a distance of sixty miles Is
now under advisemnt.
The white population Is mostly Eng
lish and Dutch. but there IL quite n
French colony, while In the Transvaal
at least $500 Americans are making
their homes. All the prominent gold
mines have American managers.
brought over from the Western states
and territories. 1t Ia evident that
American skill and experience In this
department Is considered Indispensable
The mining companies cannot do with
out them. European concerns pay
Americans such salaries as from 5000
to $4,000 year.