The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-27
SOUTH AFRICAN MIULIONAIREs.
They Have Penchant for PaIntiRl
Residences In London.
From the New York World.

From the New DIRK w 4flu.
London, Sept S.-The South African mil
lionaires are undoubtedly the most re-
markable band of plutocrats which has
captured London society in the memory
OF the present generation. Despite the
slump in South African affairs 1t is evil
dent that they have come to stay. They
have made good their footing by lavish
hospitality and by a systematic policy of
putting their new-found arlstocratic ac-
qualntances on the good things of the
South African market. They are enter
ing their sons at Elton and Harrow, and
probably in the next generation their fam
lilies will have established themselves in
perrnanence by alliances with the noblest
in the land. AS the outward visible sign
of the plan of campaign on which they
have embarked they are setting them
selves up in palatial residences in Park
Lane, a site that seems to have an ire
sistible attraction for the mushroom mil
lionaire.
In connection with the purchase Of Give
den Mr.. w. w. Aston had rather an un-
pleasant experience Of the rigid view Of
the Duke of Westminster takes Of his priv
ileges. The story of the visitors book Is
known all the world over by this time Mr.
Alfred Belt, the principal member of the
firm which pays nearly f3,0O0,O00 year for
the output of the De Beers diamond mines,
has been rather more unfortunate than
Mr. Astor in his dealings with the duke.
Mr.. Belt paid, II is said, 900 for a plot
of ground on Park Lane IN order to build
a house The Duke OF Westminster is the
ground landlord, and he insisted on re-
serving power In the lease not only to de-
eide what kind of n house should be erect
ed but that 1t should actually be designed
NV fG a " he a
brother of Mr.. Arthur Balfour Mr.. Belt
Offered a large additional sum to the duke
to forego these terms, but without avail.
The house was duly planned and when
the first story had been built the Duke
suddenly bethought him that If IT were
carried to the contemplated hight 1t would
intercept the view from his own residence
towards Hyde Park corner He therefore
ordered that the next story should not ex-
coed q certain hight. Mr.. Belt naturally
became FESTIVE under this Interference,
bot there was no remedy for him in law,
as the duke had taken care to protect
himself in every way in the lease. Again
ne was offered a substantial sum to per-
nit the house to be finished as contem-
plated, but again he gave a peremptory
refusal.
The house is now almost completed and
It is difficult to know what to make of It.
II has stunted and ineffective appear
ance the superstructure being altogether
too diminutive for the ground plan. But
sach as 1t is Mr.. Belt, who is personally
probably the most respected Of all the
South African magnates must only grin
and bear It. The duke. during the month
or TWO he lives at Grosvenor house. can,
IL he Is so minded, see Hyde Park corner
ana Mr.. Belt will probably in time become
accustomed to the deformities Of his cost
ly residence. ~
Mr.. Barney Barnato when he conceived
the ambition Of becoming the proprietor
OF palace in Park Lane, was wiser In
his generation. Mr.. Barnato, Snowman
Though he be, has seemingly more con-
celtrated grit In his character than all
the other Rand millionaires combined
Though intimately associated with Cecil
Rhoces, he alone contrived TO keep his
feet clear of the reform movement and
the Jameson raid. His name never turn
ed up in those discriminating cipher dis
patches that compromised all his friends.
More than that, he contrived 20 be the
only one OF the band who got any kudos
on; of the raid and it's consequences. He
tuIned UP at johannesburg at the psy-
Geological moment when the fate of the
reform leaders was supposed to be hang
ing in the balance He conducted the
negotiations which ended In their release,
doing what Mr.. Chamberlain had con-
spieuously failed to achieve and covering
himself WIN glory as Nne man VINO cut
the Gordian knot Of an apparently in
extrlcable diplomatic tange.
Mr.. Barnato purchased Stanhope House,
facing Stanhope Gate, paying, It IL said.
$4,000 for II. He then proceeded to de-
rnoilsh II, and there Is now rising out of
the ruins "A magnifoent renaissance struc-
ture decidedly hamboyant in style, as
BELTS the character OF It's owner. His
neighbor on one side is Mr.. Alfred Roths-
child, and an alcove window which lights
one end OF Mr. Rothschild's famous white
dra wing room was threatened by Mr.. Bar
nato's building operations. Mr.. Roths-
child opened negotiations with Mr.. Bar
nato, Offering him compensation If he
would So alter the construction Of his
house as to leave this window unaffected
Barney" was too tactful person to start
housekeeping on bad terms with so in
auential neighbor. He generously de-