The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-07

ence for well-nigh two hundred years, and
it is a curious fact that in spite of the
wars, of the revolutions, and of the almost
continuous strife that has been raging
around it's former headquarters at Bagdad,
and around so many of its branch houses.
no attempt should have ever been made In
China, central Asia, Persia, india, Arabia
and northern and central Africa, even
IN Turkey, to confiscate it's vast wealth or
to loot any Of its treasure The fact is that
no Asiatic prince, no Chinese mandarin. no
Arab nor African chief would ever dream
of doing anything to offend the SassOons,
knowing by experience that the latter never
class that never forgives an outrage on one
of its members, and that to be boycotted
by the financiers when there are troops to
pay, firearms and ammunition to be OBJ
tanned, whims to be carried out and harems
to be kept contented and in luxury, is, to
say the least, nconvenient The conSe-
quence is that in the dangerous passes or
Afghanistan, in the provinces of China
where white men are the most abhorred iii
the most fanatic of the khanates, in the
wilds of Arabia. even among all the savage
desert tribes, which infest the northern and
central portions of Africa, passport or
Sassoons constitutes an infinitely better
protection than any papers bearing the
stamp and the seal of the Gar of Russia
of the Emperor of China, or of Queen Vic
toria. Empress of India.
Most of the money lent by the Sassoons-~
and it is their money, that finances almost
the entire native trade of Asia and north
ern Africa-iS lent personal security
often in astonishingly large amounts. and
is repaid, as a rule, not in money, but in
goods so that the Sassoons in reality reap
a double return on their advances. namely,
the interest on the money. and the profit,
often very great, upon the sale of the goods.
And though nothing but personal security
is ever asked by the SEASONS of these ma
tive borrowers from every part of the
Asiatic and African world. yet the losses of
the house are few and far between, infinite
ly less, indeed than those of any European
or American bank. the traders knowing
no n o. hn hn n
the very possibility of ever trading again
They are honest in the payment of their
debts. not from any question of high moral
principle but merely by reason of policy
This explanation may give some faint
idea of the extent of the vast power and
influence which is quietly. nevertheless
one remembers that this influence has ever
been at the disposal of the British govern
in Asia and in Africa it is only surprising
that. instead Of contenting herself with re-
warding the services of old Abdallah Sas-
soon with mere baronetcy. the Queen
should not have conferred upon him peer
age.
Sir Edward Sassoon has an uncle who is
infinitely better known in London society
than himself, namely, Reuben SaSSoon
who invariably accompanies the Prince of
Wales each summer to Homburg acting as
master of revels, as purveyor of amuse-
England's future King. He is married to a
remarkably beautiful and clever woman, q
Miss Perugia, sister. Of the equally lovely
Mrs. Leopold Rothschld The Perugias are
regarded by the Hebrews throughout the
world as constituting the very cream of the
aristocracy of their ancient race.
In conclusion, If may be stated that the
Sassoons, whose generosity in connection
with all philanthropc institutions and en-
terprises has been as lavish in England as
1t has been in India, controlled for more
than one hundred years the entire opium
trade of the Orient. Possibly they do still
Indeed, it would be difficult to find either
in Asia or Africa any great commercial or
industrial undertaking in which the Sas-
soons are not more or less Immediately
concerned.