The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-16
To Convert Jewels
Into WarsbiPs.

ing families OF Spain have sent thou
sands of dollars worth OF precious
stones to London TO be sold 10 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
the worlds markets. Where diamonds
and rubies and other gems are seen by
hundreds in Madrid they are 20 pc
counted by thousands in New York.
There is n million dollars worth %
jewels on view on nearly every box
holders night" durinE the metropolitan
Opera House season, and the precious
stones that flash there are but small
part OF the gems that Americas mill
hon-heiresses could prefer for the needs
of their country 10 meet the emergen-
cies of war.
With the enormous surplus in the
treasury and the vast resources of this
country 70 draw upon Uncle sam stands
in no immediate need Of funds 20 prose-
cute farreaching war. hut IL the time
should come when necessity demanded
an appeal 10 his countrymon the vo-
men of New York alone could surprise
the world with the magnitude Of their
aid. and this would not necessarily
mean the Offering Of the fortunes-just
the sale Of their superb Jewels.
A hattleship might be built with the
proceeds OF the sale and leave a snur
sum for a cruiser or two or more tor
pedo boats. Several cavalry or infantry
regiments might be equipped or even
formidable batteries % flying artillery
added 10 the army of the United States.
Released from their settings. the Jew
els would run In quarts. even in gal
Ions. and form such a glittering pile as
the merchants Of the world had never
before seen. Many OF the largest and
purest diamonds and rubies known to
man are owned in the United States
and the pearls that adorn the threats
of Americas wealthy women are such
as would have made Cleopatra envious.
In nearly every great war poman has
flown TO the succor Of her 7. tive land
and pledged her Jewels or even sold
them for the nations veal IL New
YORK are gathered many Of the richest
women in the world. and II they alone
sold their gems the sum realized would
be astounding.
II Mrs. William Astor should dispose
Of her Jewels in aid OF the nation TN
Gle Sam would be fully $500 600 the
richer.
A pearl girdle frequently worn by
Mrs Aston is valued at fully 800 600
This sum would equip 200 infautrymcn
or immediate service. besides furnish
ng them with rations for several weeks
The diamond collar which has Drcu
seen about Mrs. Astor's neck many
lines at the opera Is valued az more
han Sf20 600. and has ne pendants sew
sral rare Indian diamonds.
The two regal diamond sunhursts
Mrs. Aston wears are worth at least
40 600. and her diamond. pearl and em-
raid stars represent an expenditure =
ulIy s35 900.
The Jewels owned by Mrs John Jacob
sstor are nearly as many and quite as
inc as those 81 Mrs William Ast0r.
Ter diamond tiara Is worth $50 9H0. and
Ter crown or cmeralds and diamonds
lashes with the seeming CONSEQUENCES
hat fl is worth $50 600 II q penny. The
.merald and diamond necklace about
Ter throat on state occasions cost &2s.-
90 In addition to these she wears "a
diamond star, $4,000 trinket. "a heart
Z opaIs and diamonds representing
= 600 and a diamond crescent and a
owknot 81 ruhies. diamonds ana em-
raids the twain valued az nearly $40
40 \ portion a. the jewels ~ this
Dung matron would f-rnish Uncle
ann with $4,000
Probably one ~ the most valuabieooi-
ections Of jewels belonging 70 any
american woman Sc shat ~ Mrs Brad
~ Martin. she has &5o06a worth -
recious stones. Her glltterinE diamond
alone is worth 500 600 ara
or ruby eet-tiara. necEiace. bracelets
nd pins-ls valued al 91oooG9. AZ -
earls Mrs. Bradley Martin p"7s"sfes
lany ropes n these white gems worth
! tho nairhborhood ~ $3.50 900. Ter pins
nd 1eweled fans and hair ornaUleu's
ould sell for more than ft5 Fff
Another collection which closely ar-
reaches in value that u drH Bradley
lartln belongs % Mra. George snuIt
ne piece. a flashing ruby and diamond
irdle. is valued az $50 900 its rou-
anton. a necklace. cost go oa9 TIE
installation o. ruby stars and rrna-
.ntz sc!nullatinE iu nrr hair represents
3 0g9 n NrH. Gosid Should aispene ~
3 her Jewels. set and guaet rHe cr4fI
.allze fuuy ffs0oo Tbs aoa.d tay
MIR torpedo boats for rneIe Sam.
Mrs oliver r. + Belmont tar r. for
ne IN Jewels. and It WAS ~ Depicting
sr own raskets THAI she made hfs
.urhter. the Duchess r. Aarthar
o most he3eFeied womau in a1 FsF-
rs The pearls thar onra 1e<sf ere
rson - Mare AntoIneffe are 49, rrer-
- n9w ~ Sra belmont Tfer 1a-
onds are r1aguife ent Thfy rerfezt
kinEiy SUM- faIiy sac 90
~ Srr-a--rrH ..--.s.es.FH s#-ar -