The San Francisco call., 1895-12-28
SIR CHARLES ROSS HERE,
The Nobleman Has Developed a
Gold Mine in British
Columbia.
THINKS IT Is A BONANZA.
He Opposes Stock Speculation-Does
Not Believe There Will Be
War Over Venezuela.

Sir Charles Ross, who is descended from
one OF the Oldest and most famous families
| OF Scotland. is at the Palace
Everybody remembers his ancestor, Sir
John Ross, the rear admiral who was cele-
brated 100 years ago in Arctic navigation,
He passed through Baffin's Bay to Lam
caster Sound, repeated the trip and was
frozen in for time IN the frigid Gulf of
Boothia. Later he discovered a point in
northern exploration which he believed
was the magnetic pole. Since then, as for
long period before, the clans of the
Rosses have distinguished themselves by
many daring deeds.
Sir Charles, the noble descendant of this
renowned house, has been in this country
since October. He has become interested
in gold mining at Roslyn, British Column
bia, north of Spokane.
He is at present one of the leadin
owners in the Center Star mine of that
camp, and he says experts now estimate
there are $7OO,O00 worth of ore in sight in
it. Thus, it appears, he may soon become
owner of millions in the newer part of this
continent.
Sir Charles, who is above medium
height, about 40 years of age, and wi tn
dark hair, eyes and mustache, is very en-
tertaining conversationalis. He says he
Is here partly for business and partly for
pleasure. He is interested in extensive
coal mines in Japan, and for time
thought of going there to look after them,
but says his interests here will now COM
mand all of his attention.
The nobleman has never been in Califor-
I1E~ Il l. Ill
phere pleasant contrast to the frost and
mud of Vancouver, where he has been for
some time.
Many cablegrams awaited him on his ar
rival, and he received more during the
evening. Sir Charles believes this country
is a far better field for mining than South
Africa.
these properties" he said; 'but for one
thing | was not early enough. Sir Cecil
Rhodes and his associates managed to get
the big properties, so that others who fol-
lowed could only get what was left.
''It is a singular thing that in the new
districts of British Columbia, like Trail
Creek and Slycan, all the big mines
are owned by Americans. My associates
in the Center Star are all Americans also.
The Americans seem to be superior Judges
of mines and they act quickly and usually
manage to get for $20, 900 or $50, 900 what it
would cost English investors good many
thousands of pounds.
81 am told that Cripple Creek is attract
ing many people now, and l am wonder
ing whether the mines are SO good as to
hold it up and keep the place growing or
whether it will collapse and the population
vanish. AT Roslyn, where the Center Star
is located, there was for a time great ex-
element. 1t looked as though an enor-
nous camp would be built up, but after
awhile it settled down on steady basis.
''These stock furries, l am convinced.
single day in London forty firms failed,
owing to the collapse in South African
stocks.
''In reference to the Venezuela difficulty
it would hardly be fair for me to express
an opinion, owing to the fact of my close
connection with certain phases of the situa-
ton. | received some letters and tele-
grams the other day in regard to it.
Il believe rom what / have seen, how
ever, that the majority of the people of the
United States do not want war any more
than England does. There is this about
it: England won't fight unless she has to-
1t all depends on what action Venezuela
may take. If it takes no hasty position it
will quiet down. That, at least, is my
view of the matter from all 1 have been
able to learn regarding it.
Zone thing has slngularly impressed me
in America and that is the ease with
which Scotchmen and Americans get on
together. The Americans seem to like US
be tier than the English. don't know
why it is, but it was a very pleasant reve-
lation to me.
II have never been so far West in this
country before, and what l have seen thus
far of California pleases me greatly. 1t is
certainly the most attractive part of the
coast"
Sir Charles is uncertain how long he
may remain here, but he will probably
stay for some time. He is said to be very
wealthy, his estates near Inverness and
elsewhere in the north of Scotland being
very extensive. On these are some an
cieDt baronial castles.