The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-21
FROM FAR OFF SOUTH AFRICA
Continued from First Page)

sponsibe for a continuous growth OF vege-
tation. and as soon as one fruit or yege-
table goes out of season another comes
in
Are the diamond fields yielding much
wealth now?"
THE main diamond fields are owned by
the Consolidated Company. which has been
paying a dividend Of 40 per cent for sew
eral years Cecil Rhoads is a life member
Of the company. and so was Barney Bar
nato. who. by the way, was an intimate
friend Of mine.
There are still some open fields. how
ever but they are scattered. and one may
work for months without meeting with
success. and again he may ind at any
time diamonds Of great value. The river
dlggings are open for the public and
claim OF 3Ox3O can be secured for the pay
ment Of a lease Of ten shillings a month
to the government.
RICH GOLD FIELDS.
The gold fields in the Transvaal are very
rich. and big fortunes are being mace
there constantly. and If once that country
reaches a settlement and the deposits De-
tween the Transyaal Government ana the
british Government cease, ana the llsH'7
cf the Ultlanders defined, lots OF money
Will be made. and the country VIII pros
per. for the gold fields are lneNhauallu'e'
As conditions now exist, the brltish Ho'
eminent is quite cautious ~ making "i-
yestments. Ii the British public VIII only
understand that the B0er IN the Trans
vaal is in his proper place ana grant W
him mis- fields and franchises ana o.ner
nriyueges the contests will cease. Inc
Transyaal is fairly governed. our opinion
,s thar the president Is honest IN giving
the people every opportunity OF uecla'l'7
peace with the English Government anu
ne deserves great credit for ruilhs the
country as he does.
TIE GOVERNMENTS MlsIAhh'
9TH. ,-rempt of France and Germany
~ ancroach upon South African lerrl'ol
a,,ounts to little from our STANDPOINT
E,rorca ia out of our sphere, but Germany
has the territory adjoining our coun'iS :,
which however. they will make ho'N'"5
Of n was mistake in our government,
IN allow them 10 creep In; lncy shou'u
have been kept out. .,,.or
English prestige is as great as ever
and will BE- maintained. Inc people az
ioyal and are satisfied with British rule
O,,r standing army embraces the 'dpe
Mounted Rifles. which has just beeh '"-
creased by the addition OF 100 men
There is no depression IN traae III
South Africa. We produce az ms uihe
5000 otrces OF gold month ana eNpols
about 100000 pounds sterling worm "t
diamonds and much copper besides
quantities OF wool. mOhair, ostrich teath-
ers sheep and goat skins. IL is just
as hot i'm this country IN summer as II is
i'm South Africa and our winters are
mild. Living is not expensive, save IN
respect OF clothing. which Is costly, Dc
cause Of the fact that little manufactur-
ing Is done there one can live in the
the very best hotels at low rates. and
all OF them are good.
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP.
THE railways and telegraph lines are
owned by the government ar the
freight rates are very low. The IA Dads
pay an annual percentage OF about per
cent.
THE freight on -four corn. meal and
and barbed wire and simsar articles
and on barbed wire and similar articles
for the Improvement and protection OF
herds. etc, are carried fee. The line from
Cape Town TO Beiliwago is about 800
miles long. There IS also a line run
ming from the seaport towns Of cape
Town, Port Elizabeth and East London
10 tn. central Point OF Deaar. AMI thence
TO the interior points Of Bullawago,
Johannesterg. Pretoria and Durham
The action Of Cecil Rh0ads in taking
possession OF land in Jamescn's reserva-
ton In the Transvaai IS considered by our
people as the most disgracetul acton ever
perpetrated upon a free State"
BEGAN AS A MERCHANT
When Mr. Sonnenbarg first went 10
Africa he started as a merchant az
Queenstown dealing in wool and NOR
chandise principally. Later. IN N'3' ne
went to the diamond Fields as Dig sr ana
a merchant and met with phenomenal
success. lie remained there until the
claims were evacuated and returned 70
the coast where he is now engaged IN
mercantile pursuits and real estate bus
mess.
He married seine years age an Nmerl-
can lady, living in Cape Colony and has
tXo sons .u the legal Profession.
''The free school system IN south
Nfrica if quito succoisful.' said Mr..
sonncil org.
'"rh,.- : pcnulation OF lO.occ natives
anone n, constituents. he saiC - They
have no franchise. expect IN certain
cases. Tor. instance. man must be
able TO read and write aad must have an
incomo OF 20 pounds sterling annually be-