The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-07
To Convert Jewels
Into WarsbiPs.

ing families of Spain have sent thou~
sands of dollars worth OF precious
stones TO London to be sold To raise
funds for war. This suggests what an
enormous sum might be placed at the
disposal of this government should the
women Of America offer their jewels in
and rubics and other gems are seen w \
hundreds in Madrid they are TO BE-
counted by thousands in New York..
There is million dollars worth OF
jewels on view on nearly every box
holders night during the Metropolltan
Opera House season. ard the precious
stones that fash there arc but small
part Of the gems that Americas mi!-
lion-heiresses could proffer for the needs (
of their country to meet the cmergcn~N
cies OF war.
With the enormous surplus in the
treasury and the vast resources OF this
country TO draw upon Uncle Sam stards
In no immediate need OF funds 20 nrcse-
cute farreaching war but If the time
should come when necessity demanded
an appeal TO his countrymen the vo~
men OF New York alone could surprise
tht Wtfiu With the fnGSnltuut Oh tittII
aid, and this would not necessarily
mean the Offering OF the fortunes--just
the sale OF their superb Jewels.
a battleship might be built with the
proceeds OF the sale and leave snug
sum for cruiser or two or more tor
pedo boats. Several cavalry or infantry
regiments might be equipped or even
formidable batteries OF flying artillery
added to the army os the United States.
Released from their settings. the jew-
els would run in quarts. even in gall
Ions, and form such a glittering pile an
the merchants of the world had never
before seen. Many of the largest and
purest diamonds and rubes known to
man are owned in the United States.
and the pearls that adorn the thr0ats
of Americas wealthy women are such
as would have made Cleopatra envious,
In nearly every great war woman has
flown to the succor of her native land
and pledged her Jewels or even sold
| them for the nations veal In New
York are gathered many of the richest
women in the world, and II they alone
SOLE. their gems the sum realized would
be astounding.
II Mrs. william Astor should dispose
of her Jewels in aid of the nation, Un~
Gle Sam would be fully 100000 the
richer.
A pearl girdle frequently worn By
Mrs. Astor is valued at fully 100000.
This sum would equip 1.200 infantrymen
for immediate service, besides furnish-
ing them with rations for several weeks
The diamond collar which has been
seen about Mrs, Astor's neck many
times at the opera Is valued at more
~.~1 4. n n
eral rare Indian diamonds.
The two regal diamond sunbursts
Mrs Astor wears are worth at least
$40. 900. and her diamond. pearl and em-t
erald stars represent an expenditure or
fully $685. 900.
The Jewels owned by Mrs. John Jacob
Astor are nearly as many and quite as
fine as those OF Mrs. William Astor.
Her diamond tiara Is worth $4,000. ana
her crown of emeraIds and diamonds
flashes with the seeming consciousness
that Il Is worth $50. 900 II penny. The
emerald and diamond necklace about
her throat on state occasions cost $zo.-
900 In addition TO these she wears q
diamond star. q $4,000 trinket. heart
of opals and diamonds representing
81. 900 and a diamond crescent ana q
bowknot Of rubies. diamonds and en-
eraIds the twain valued at nearly $20.-
aoO norton of the Jewels OF this.
Young matron would furnish Uncle
Sam with $4,000.
Probably one OF the most valuable coi-
lections OF Jewels belonging 10 any
American woman is that OF Mrs. Brad
lev Martin. She has 100000 worth or
precious stones Her glitterng diamond
! breastplate alone is worth slOo,oOo' ana
L. lat =
her ruby set--tiara, necklace. praceiets
and pins-is valued at 100000 As 20
pearls. Mrs. Bradley Martin possesses
many ropes OF these white gems worth
In the neighborhood of $4,000. Her pms
and jeweled fans and hair ornaments
would sell for more than 100000.
Another collection which closely ap-
proaches I'm value that OF Mrs. Bradley
Martin belongs TO Mrs. George Gould
/ One piece. flashing ruby and diamond
| girdle. is valued at $4,000. Its COM
panion. a necklace. cost $4,000. Tho
constellation OF ruby stars and cres'
cents scintillating In her hair represents
SOS. 900. TT Mrs. Gould should dispose Or
all her Jewels. set and unset. she could
realize fully s4S0O00. This would buy
four torpedo boats for Uncle Sam.
Mrs. oliver III. p. Belmont has for~
tune I'm Jewels. and IL was by depicting
her own caskets that she made ner
daughter. the Duchess OF Marlborough.
the most bejeweled woman In all Eng
land. The pearls that once decked the
person of Marie Antoinette are the prop
erty now OF Mrs. Belmont. Her dia-
monds are magnificent. They represens
a kingly sum. fully s45o.ooo.
The diamond and emerald tiara OF
Mrs. William c. whitney IL known
throughout this country. With her
necklace and the other ornaments she
has worn so many times at the opera
this represents the sum or Vo,ov BUY
there are other jewels In the whitney
caskets. all of which could not b purs
chased for less than 100000.
Among the other women Of New 1oru
whose precious stones may be valued ~
the hundreds OF thousands. enough %
give Uncle. Sam q mighty bft from
any possible slough Of despond. are Mrps
Henry sloane. Mrs. Frederick oeDhar4
and Mrs Harry Payne whitney. 1ho1y
1 ~