The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-13
THE SOUTH AFRICA COMPANY.
Nearly All Of Britain's Royal Family
Have Made Money Out OF 1t.
Chicago Rec,

While there are some who allege that.
owing to it's aristocratic composition, the
which Mr.. Cecil Rhodes is the presiding
deity, will never forfeit it's charter in spite
of the inconceivable act Of aggression upon
administrators, there are others of a more
cynical turn Of mind and acquainted with
the financial circumstances Of the company.
would be the happiest thing that could pos
sibly happen to the company, and that
DR.. Jameson's raid across the British border
was undertaken with the express purpose
doubt that the company for some time has
been in a very bad way financially, that
and pay to it's stockholders dividends on the
shares which the present holders have pur-
chased at enormous premiums from the
noble founders of the enterprise.
If the company were to go into liquida-
ton by ordinary bankruptcy, due to the
failure to fulfill it's undertakings, there
which might affect even the stability of
the throne, since 1T would be found that not
only members of the aristocracy but even
of the reigning house have realized vast
sums of money by the sale OF shares in
the concern at huge premiums to the pres
ent unfortur ate holders, NEST or whom Will
be ruined. The natural disposition or peo-
pie under such circumstances is to allege
fraud and, unfortunately, there has been
much in connection with the enterprise that
appears exceedingly fishy. to say the least
Now, a forfeiture Of the charter would
practically relieve the company Of much of
the odium with which II would otherwise
be saddled in the event of failure, and the
blame for the latter could be laid to a
great extent upon the government, :ne
| directors Of the company claiming fhat
gagements had not the British government
stepped in and ruined the concern by re-
pealing its charter.
otherwise absolutely insane freak of Dr.
Jameson. one of the most clever levei-ncad.
ed and brilliant Of lieutenants OF Mr. Cell
Rhodes-in one word man possessing all
the traditional shrewdness OF the ScotchHan
coupled with the spirit Of adventure OF the
Englishman. He is. just the kind or man
ready to sacrifice himself to cover the re-
treat-the financial retreat-of his associates
The founders of the company are. first ard
foremost, Cecil Rhodes, member or the
Queens Privy Council and Prime Minister
OF Cape Colony, next In importance 10 Ills
principal partner in the corncsTn heing
the duke of Fife, son-in-law OF the Prince
of Wales. and the one Of all the members
of the British nobility to whom the Queen
has shown the. greatest degree CT favor
OF the Prince of Wales's household. the
leader of the Conservative party In Ireland
and brother Of Lady Blandford: mother of
Earl Gray. son Of that General Cray who
was so many years private secretary 10 the
Queen and the Prince Consort and governor
Of the Prince of Wales before The latter at
tanned his majority
II will be seen from these names that the
social and political Importance OF the leading
spirits of the South Africa Company are
such that neither Lord Salisbury nor Mr..
Joseph Chamberlain. the Secretary OF State
for the colonies. would dare to take upon
themselves the responsibility of annulling
the charter save with the consent and APP
prevail Of the two Dukes. the Earl and the
privy councillor and colonial Premier chiefly
interested in the affair
Let il be added that there Is hardly a
member of the royal family. from the Prince
| of Wales down TO Prince Henry of Batten-
| berg, who has not made money out OF the
concern and held shares In II, and the same
may De said of the principal members of the
royal household and society, the grand send
| off which Cecil Rhodes's company received
| being in a great measure due to the dis
| elimination which he displayed in allotting
| founders shares only TO those who. either
| through their social or official influence,
could promote the interests OF the con-
Germ. Most OF them. however. have been
clever enough to unload their holdings when
| the shares were at the highest notch