New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-10-16
T\LIISUUEN N C1LIFORNIi.

Mr. WarhurioII the British COnsul-ticncrai
al San Francisco. has recently made report
10 the Foreign Office. which has now been pub
lished on the mucE complained of frauds
on British immigrants in California. Many
British families have, he says been swindled
nv land companies and immigration agencies.
and reduced TO q most disiressful state OF pow
crty. They have been induced 10 invest their
all in land before they have seen II. on the
strength of advertisements and prosI"cfuses
only 10 find il faf other than II was repre-
scented. Sometimes II is utterly worthless.
Sometimes il can he made valuable ana pr0llia'
bic only through years OF labor ana mu'h
expense. which the purchasers are FOL abe 10
give There are numerous other ways III
which the bargains have proved not oniy I'M
satisfactory hut actually disastrous. Mr.. war
burton explains them all with admirable de-
tail and his report is to have the Widest pos
sihle publication in the United Kingdom. III
the hope that it may serve as warning ana
prevent further victimizng Of the guilcess and
confiding Briton.
While il must be confessed that Mr.. War
burton's charges are, In many eases. only 100
well founded. il is gratifying TO observe that
he also gives a hearing 10 the other side Of the
case Often. probably in the vast majority OF
cascs the unfortunate immigrants have them
selves TO blame as well as their swindlers.
They do not act with ordinary business pru-
dence or cOnm0n-sensc What is TO bc said
of a man who buys n pig in a poke. and then
laments because il Is a black instead Of n white
one: This is not TO Justify the swindler II
| is simply to recall and emphasize the old rule.
"Caveat emptOr." If people will neglect that
rule. they must expect to pay the penalty.
| There are INSCRIPTIONS men in every land
| ready TO take advantage Of such neglect. Prob
ably there are no more In California than else
| where even in England itself. In Mr.. War
| burtons report strong reasons are given for be-
lieving thai Englshmcn. as well as Americans.
| are guilty Of The fraudulent practices COM
| ploiued Of NOt within the lifetime of Jabcz
| Balfour. at any rate, nor while the lucrative
| business Of persuading Americans that they are
heirs 10 mythical British estates still -four
| islies. will there he lifting opportunity for the
British kettle 10 call the American pot black.
Mr. WarburtOn. moreover. pays glowing
! but amply deserved tribute TO the State under
! considerations The soil Of California Is cx-
| cccdingly fertile. and will grow anything.
The climate is delightful. Despite the enor-
nous output of the last half-century. valuable
minerals are still abundant. The scenery, for
| variety, beauty and grandeur. is unsurpassed
There is room for millions Of new settlers But
! the Englishmnnand every ON" else-gOnc
thither should exercise little prudence aud
Judgment He should not buy land until he has
seen II and knows what II Is like He should
not bind himself to the place by investing his
all until he has lived there six months. lie
should have good legal aid In searching titles
and drawing up contracts He should not In.