Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-21

Africa. where he established himself as
merchant at Queenstown. He was very
successful. and in 1873 he went 10 the
diamond fields, where he carried on the
business of diamond merchant and Dig
ger There, TO use n homely but express
sive phrase, ne struck II rich," and to-
day he is recognized as one of the great
and wealthy men of South Africa.
TO RENEW ACQUAINTANCEs.
The object of Mr.. Sonnenberg's visit to
this part OF the country is TO renew his
acquaintance with the battle-helds. He
has never been to Richmond before, he
says, but he tried hard to get here in
81 and 90.
He left the Cape after the adjournment
of Parliament last June. and since that
time ne has been travelling in Europe and
on the Continent. His peregrinations
carried him recently TO Washington, and
ne Is delighted with the attention and
. courtesy shown him there, and with the
aspect Of the city in general, which ne
does not scruple to say is the finest he
has ever seen on this or any other Con-
tinent.
vice-President Hobart placed his Office
at Mr. Sonnenberg's disposal during his
stay In Washington. and gave him seat
on the floor of the Senate, while Mrs.
Sonnehberg was given the freedom of the
distinguished strangers gallery. Mr. Reed
placed his family gallery at the disposal
of Mr.. Sonnenberg and his friends. and
Mr.. Porter introduced him to President
Mckinley, who discussed many important
matters with him, and gave him one of
his photographs.
ENTHUSIASTIC OVER HIS HOME.
Mr.. Sonnenberg lives in the District Of
Vryburg, and he represents this with the
districts of Taungs, Kurnman, and Cor
donia, In the Cape Colony Parliament.
He speaks In enthusiastic terms Of South
Africa and its prospects. 1t is a good
field for emigration, he says. and British
Bechuanaland is particularly happy
hunting ground for the farmer. Living
Is very cheap, he says, but 50 is labor,
the natives being willing to work for very
small wages. The diamond-fields are now
controlled by one powerful consolidated
company, which Is paying a dividend of
70 per cent. The ill-starred Barnato.
with Cecil Rhodes, A. Belt, and Fred.
Stow, were among the directors. The
river diggings. says Mr.. Sonnenberg. are
still open TO the public, where man has
right TO take a claim S0x30 yards, for
the nominal sum of lq shillings a month.
which he pays to the government as a
license tax.
There are many people working in these
| tggings now, and though the finds are
| scattered. they are invariably rich. Mr..
Bonnenberg was Intimately acquainted
with the late Barney Barnato. His sui
eide. he thinks. was due TO an uneasy
conscience, for" he said. 'he was not
byer-scrupulous in his financial dealings
and ruined many people. some OF whom
were his best friends.
GREAT GOLD-FIELDS.
Speaking OF the late difficulties in the
Transvaal. Mr.. Sonnenberg says the gold
nelds In that country are practically in
exhaustible, and II once the country is
fairly settled. heaps or money will be
made, and the land will be exceedingly
prosperous. The disputes between the
governments OF the Transvaal and Great
Britain as to the rights OF the Uitland-
ers. he thinks. may soon be satisfactorily
settled The Beers. ne thinks, are dis-
rinctly within their rights in refusing
franchises and other privileges TO the
1itlanders President Kruger he says.
r. perfectly honest. and rs doing mis- ut
most to give these men the right TO re-
side peaceabiy in his country. and. says
Mr.. Sonnenberg. "he deserves the great
est credit for ruling the Transvaal in the
way he doea"
He regards the efforts at colonization
on the part OF European governments
other than England, as fairly futile but
says Britain should have kept Germany
out. English prestige IL as great In South
Africa. ne says. and the loyalty Will be
maintained. He speaks in highest terms
Of Sir Alfred Miner. the new Governor OF
si:e Cape. and OF Mr.. Joseph Chamber
lain, who. he says, Is undoubtedly one
Of the best Colonial secretaries that Eng.
land has ever had.
AFRICA AHEAD Or US.
Drawing a comparison between the con
ditions in this country and in South
Africa. Ar. sonnenberg declares tn,
balance altogether In FAVOR OF the latter
Next year, he says. that country viii
produce 10000 ounces or gold, and vii
export diamonds 10 the value Of $4,000
90 sterling. besides which there VIII
be large exports OF wool. mohair. Ostrich
fcathers. sheep and goat skins, and hides
Mr. Sonnenberg, IN speaking OF the gov
eTnnent ownership OF railways. says tn
ffattm has answered sDlendidly al tn
<'frc and has paid nearly per cen,
Ehey carry. moreover, all the necessarie
..>e at the rate OF ! cent per ton pc
nile. and articles for the protection OF in
&<Htriss are carried free Of charge.
when Mr., sonnenberg was asked 70
a<f opinien on the recent investigation @
y<@e4l Rhodes. be hesltated smiled, an
~: You must excuse me from an
e<ipe that question. Cape Colony ad
~ thai the encroacnmcnt Of ID
notfpn was the most disgraceful tnroa
kF pefftSrated on a friendly State.