The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-18

which cover a total area of about 10000
square miles. Mr.. Rhodes is the head OF
the company in Africa.
While there are some who allege that,
owing to its aristocratic composition, the
Chartered Company OF South Africa, of
which Cecil Rhodes is the leading deity,
Will never forfeit its charter in spite OF
the inconCeivable act of aggression upon
the TranSvaal republic by it's officers and
administrators, there are others of more
cynical turn of mind, and acquainted with
the financial circumstances of the COM
pany, who assert that the forfeiture OF
the charter would be the happest thing
that could possibly happen 10 the compa-
ny. and that DR.. JamesOns raid across the
British border was undertaken with the
express purpose OF bringing about that
event There are reports that the COM
pany has for some time been IN bad way
financially; that it finds Itself unable to
fulnn its promises and undertakings, and
that II is utterly unable 10 pay 10 its stock
holders dividends on the shares which the
present holders have purchased at enor-
nous premiums from the noble founders
OF the enterprise.
Were the company to go into liquidation
by ordinary bankruptcy due 10 the failure
TO fulnll it's undertakings, there would be
a terrible tumult in London, one which
might affect even the stability OF the
throne. since II would be found that not
Of the reigning house, have realized vast
sums of money by the sale Of shares in
the concern at huge premiums 10 the pres
ent unfortunate holders, most OF whom
VIII be ruined. The natural disposition Of
people under such circumstances Is 10 al
lege fraud, and. unfortunately. there has
been much in connection with the entire
enterprise that appears exceedingly hshy.
10 say the least.
Now. a forfeiture Of the charter would
practically relieve the company Of much
Of the odium with which IL would other
wise be saddled IN case OF failure. and the
blame for the latter could be laid. 70 a
great extent. upon the government. the
directors OF the company contending that
they could easily have fulfilled all Their
Eareuents had not the British govern
m-nt stepped IN and ruined the concern by
repeating its charter
This is the only plausible excuse for the
otherwise absolutely insane freak or DR..
Jameson. one Of the most clever. level
headed and brilliant lieute1ants Of Cecil
Rhodes in one word man possessing All
the traditional shrewdUess or the scotch
man coupled with The spirit ~ adventure
Of the EnCllshman lie is Just the kind
Of n man ready 20 sacrifice himself 70 cover
the retreat-and financial retreat-of his
associates and friends.
The founders 81 the company are, hrst
and foremost. Cecil Rhodes, member OF
the queens uriVy council aa3 prime INNS
ter OF the Cane Colony Next IN Importance.
and his principal partner in the concern.
s. the Duke OF Fife. sou-in-iaw or the
Prince OF Wales and the one OF all The
members q the Brtish nobility 20 whom
the queen has shown the greatest degree
Of favor. Then there s. the Duke OF Aher-
corn. chief ~ the Prince q Wales house
hold. the boss" OF the Conservative parfy
ln Ireland. and brother Of Lady biAna-
for1. mother Of the Duke q MARLBOROUGH;
while a fourth Is Earl Grey son ~ laat
Gen. Grey. who was for so many years pri-
vata secretary az the queen ana thA prince
corpcrt and governor 81 the Prince of
wales before be attained his majority
Il WI readily ~ seen from these names
that the social ana political import lance "t
the leading spirits 81 the south A ~ 't'-
rsanv IS such that neither Lord SALISBURY
nor Joseph Chamberlain. the secretary OK
state for me colonies. would dare 20 take
u00n themselves the respo1s .oliify OF an
milling the charter save Eith me rofsehL
ana approval q fhe Two dukes, ne earn
ana The privy councillor an3 colonisl pre-
rutsr chiefly interested IN The ait4tT
Let Il - aAte8 thai there IS h@FAiy
member % thn royal family, from ne
Prince q Wales down - Prince Hen
" of Batteuberr. who has rot mace money
out - the concern an3 held shares n II:
and the same may oe sas3 o. ne pTineiIal
v~s~7N@rs az the rcyai househola a. 49,