The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-03-19
ALL EYES On RHODES
While He Is Booming His
Cape-to-Cairo Road.
GERMANY AND ENGLAND
Are Getting Together, TO the
Despair of France.

Copyright, 1899. by the Associated P-ess)
London, March 18.-The newspapers
this week reprinted from the American
papers the interview whicn q correspond
ent Of the Associated Press had with Mr..
Cecil Rhodes on board the steamer Haps-
burg, on the Mediterranean and which
was mailed from Alexandra. Egypt, on
February Il, and printed OF Narca II
America. The remarks Of Mr.. Rhodes on
Americas imperial future have attracted
great deal Of attention. The Spectator,
however, suggests that the energy OF the
Americans may not prove persistent
enough for the vast task Of conquest and
occupation which the South African
statesman sets before them, adding:
Their system, though it produces men
of ability, is probably not favorable 10
the development OF a meteoric genius,
and without such q man the Work can
hardly be done rapidly. Eating up South
America ike an artichoke. state by state,
IS a task 70 overscrain any people, even
the Americans. The carrying out Of the
work, too might bring 10 head the
difference in the ideals and permanent
tendencies between the north and the
south. II Is true that the state system Of
America is a wonderful system Of empire;
but il is also a wonderful provision fcr
disintegration. The north may refuse 10
persist in a career Of conquest and with
Canada may elect to form a republic with
another ideal than governing. which, al
though attractive, wears out the surplus
energy of the governors. II any one tells
Us that the United States will expand TO
the Straits Of Magellan in spite OF them
selves we may believe him. But il he
says, as Mr.. Rhodes says, that this ex-
pansion will De deliberate, We hall hesitate
and ask for evidence that they wish the
expansion to last"
Mr.. Rhodes striking personality stood
out in bold relief this week against The
political background Of minor interests.
The press Of three countries, Great Brit
ain, Germany and France, was full OF
him His visit TO Berlin marks an i'm
Dortant onward step in the AnglO-German
unders landing, and the French papers
realize this and that the idea that the
assistance of Germany might eventually
and Great Britain is preposterous. The
Figaro sees in Mr.. Rhodes reception at
Berlin sure proof Of a secret convention
between Great Britain and Germany,
while the Temps says; Frankly, it is
impossible to overrate its importance. It
is plain proof OF Emperor Williams de-
sire for a Impeachment with Great
Britain and the power and weight Of such
a combination cannot be exaggerated. 1t
ought TO furnish food for reflection for
those who fancied that France only had
10 moke overtures in order to bring Ger
many to her feet, and who, acting under
this delusion, have been striving to bring
about a rupture with Great Britain"
Dir. Rhodes. however. has not yet ar
ranged a hard-and-fast agreement respect
ing the Cape-to-Cairo railroad. Polite
ally, Mr.. Rhodes and the emperor have
agreed. but financially their arrangement
IS hanging fire. The negotiations between
Mr.. Rhodes and a German syndicate re-
specting financing the German portion OF
the railroad have not yet been concluded. !
though Mr.. Rhodes has expressed the
hope that an early agreement viii be ar
rived at. It further appears that Mr.. |
Rhodes expressed astonishment at the
German emperor's surprising knowledge /
Of the details Of the matter, and German
officials. in their turn, We're surprised az
Mr.. Rhodes candid illusions to future
political projects. including an Anglo |
German partition Of PortugaPs East
Africa possessions. which Mr.. Rhodes
fully expects that Portugal viii be willing
TO sell the two powers within three years
A. present Mr.. Rhodes is at Amsterdam /
arranging for the financial support OF the /
Dutch Ersuciers.
Dealing with the report that an arrange !