The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-12

would be q really conspicuous figure
In contemporaneous public life. 1 be-
leve him to be good man In the
truest sense OF the word, but some
what misled In political matters by
Hollanders, who are highly trained in
state craft. l am persuaded that If
President Kruger were left to act ac-
cording TO his own natural instincts
and intelligence, the trouble in the
Transvaal would never have occurred.
Or, IL anything had, by inadvertancy,
occurred, it would have been settled in
the most amicable and satisfactory
manner"
What about other prominent men
of the Cape Colony?" was further
asked of Rev. Mr.. Hughes.
MANY ABLE MEN.
"Well in addition to these two pre-
viously spoken of. we have liberal
sprinkling of very intelligent public
and professional men. The prime min
lister at present in Cape Colony Is Sir
Gordon Sprague, and ne is a gentle
man who stands high in the estima-
ton of nearly every section of the
country. He is the son of q Baptist
minister, and served, years ago, as par
lament reporter in the house of COM
mons for a leading London daily. Sir
Gordon is surrounded in the Cape leg
islative assembly by a fair number of
practical statesmen. Men of consider
able erudition, energy and self-sacri-
fice."
"In the legal profession we have gen.
tlemen who rank high in the opinion of
even the great legal lights of England
and we, of the Cape Colony, are proud
of our judges and barristers. Com
mercial men are to be found in every
great centre of industry of the coun-
try, who are distinguished for their
business capacity. energy and success.
Many of them have thus made their
fortunes in South Africa.
what are the general prospects of
the country" was the next query. In
answer to that question 1 would say
that, judging from statements which
| have received from reliable experts
in different branches, my deliberate
conclusion is that there is a very bright
prospect before South Africa. The
mineral resources of the country are
both varied and rich. The agricultural
capabilities of the country, especially
fruit cultivation, warrant the conclu-
sion that profitable fields of industry
years to come wherein thousands of
poor men will find remunerative en-
ployment.
LACK OF WATER.
"The great drawback to agricultural
pursuits is want of water. The Cape
Colony government has coped some
what successfully with this difficulty
by procuring a quantity of diamond
drills and using them in locating water
in every locality of the colony that
was advisable. This was and is being
done at the governments expense. In
every case, water of a good quality has
been found in abundance at depths
varying from a few feet to several
yards.
"These testings unquestionably prove
the existence of abundant water, but a
short distance below the surface. Act
ing upon this proof, the more energetic
members of the Cape parliament have
decided to advocate a scheme of irri-
CATION throughout the colony at the
full or partial expense of the govern
ment.
This will make, should it ever come
to pass, and no doubt it will, the means
of living in South Africa considerably
cheaper than at present. The two
great items of expense in living out
there, dre house rent and fuel. The
fuel obtainable is almost entirely wood
The climate, on the whole, is really
charming and where there is sufficient
water, vegetation, fruit and flowers are
luXuriant.
"At present however, 1 would GER
tainly not recommend young men to
go there unless they have employment
to go to when they arrive. Because
the labor market is glutted to very
large extent. In addition to that, war
clouds are lowering over the country.
Though 1 do not believe this present
misunderstanding will end in war,
still it would be wise to allow the
clouds to pass away and mutual corr
cord be realized between all the states,
before men without capital at least,
rush out there.
A GREAT OUTLET.
"I am fully persuaded that South
Africa in a very, very short space of
time will prove one of the grandest
outlets for the congested population
of the older countries. Also country
where labor will be adequately renum-
Grated.
"And what bearing has the press up
on the aspect of affairs in Cape Colony"
queried the reporter. THE press of
South Africa in the Cape Colony is do
ing a great deal of good in the coun-
try" said the speaker. The tone of
many of the papers is high and honor
able. The management of the press
generally is very creditable and re-
liable"
"Of course the religious part of the
community is we'll taken care Off" was
asked. ''As far as Cape Colony is
concerned, nearly every section of the
church of God is found there in a -four
ishing condition, In the year of 1875
the Episcopalean, or Church of Eng
land, was disestablished and since that
time all churches enjoy the same legal
rights and 1 am pleased to say that
the whole of Cape Colony seems to be
interlaced with religious organizations
and Christian influences.
How do the recently established
Baptist missions prosper there?" "It
is indeed only of late years that the
Baptist church in South Africa has