The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-02-14
CECIL RHODES.

Kafirs on the farm. Wealth came to
them swiftly. In five years Cecil Rhodes
was worth IS, 600, 900. Cecil returned
home and entered Oriel college, Oxford.
I'll health compelled him to return to
Africa. But he studied at the mines, re-
turned to England and passed the exaht
ination for his degree.
Cecil Rhodes became the leading spir-
it of the De Beers Mining company.
which owned the richest mine in South
Africa. After nine years of fighting be-
tween the companies the De Beers com-
pany, under the guidance Of Rhodes, alb
sorbed the others. 1t has a capital of
nearly $40, 600, 600 and controls the
diamond industry of South Africa. He
has long been known as "The Diamond
King"
1t is agreed that Cecil Rhodes sought
great wealth only as a means to an end.
That is why he devoted his energy to
getting rich for so many years. He is
worth now about $50, 900, 600.
Kimberley did not content him. He
longed to control the great mineral
wealth lying to the north. In order to
carry out his schemes he organized the
British South Africa company, and then
it was that the world first recognized
the genius of Mr.. Rhodes, for he OBJ
taned a royal charter. The Duke of
Abercorn was made president and the
Duke of Fife vice president. Mr.. Rhodes
was, Of course, made the managing di-
rector. 1t is unquestioned that he is real
ly the company and that his power in
Mashonaland is complete. 1t was while
carrying through this scheme that Cecil
Rhodes gave $50, 900 to the Parnell par
liamentary fund.
Before he was 80 years old Mr.. Rhodes
entered the Cape house of assembly. In
1884 he was made treasurer general of
the Cape. Afterward he was deputy com
missioner in Bechuanaland.
1t was in 1890 that Mr.. Rhodes sue
ceeded Sir Gordon Sprigg as premier Of
Cape Colony. 1t was then that he began
to push forward theoretically the
planned for many years.
Nearly ten years before he had drawn
a line across q map of Africa, from ocean
to ocean, near the sources Of the Kongo,
and exclaimed:
"All that English, that is my dream! |"
With all his might he extended the
power of the British South Africa COM
pany northward, aver toward the Fam
bezi. To the west and east were the pos
sessions Of Germany and Portugal,
whose agents had been for years schem-
ing to gain that central stretch Of land
which the English call Zambezi. Rhodes
outschemed them. Slowly but surely he
crept around the Orange Free State and
the South African Republic, cutting
them of completely from communica-
ton with the north, except through his
land.
And then English politicians began
asking themselves, "Is the South Afri.
a federation to be a British colony OF
q great r~epublic?"
For this man is a leader among men.
He has such followers as DR.. Jameson,
whom he selects with rare knowledge.
He gains confidence, when he seeks it,
among savages or among the cultured.
When he thinks it necessary, he kills.
He quarreled once with General Cor
don, who said: !
"You are one of those men who never
approve Of anything they don't organic
? themselves"
/. Mr.! Rhodes reflected and then said:
! II am inclined to think you ar
! right. New York World.