Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-17
OUTPUT OF DIAMONDS
FROM SOUTH AFRICA WILL BE CUT
OFF FOR THE NEXT
THREE YEARS.
MINES FLOODED AND IDLE.
An Interesting Talk with a Veteran
British Soldier Who Was in Ac-
tive Service In the War of 1881,
and Who Lived For Many Years
in South Africa.

Last evening reporter for the Reg
lister had a long and very interesting
interview with Mr. C. C. Wyatt, long
a soldier of Her Majesty's forces in
South Africa, who fought through the
war Of 1881, in the ninety-fourth regi-
ment, and who later was a member OF
the colonial forces atsthe Cape. For
over fifteen years he saw and took part
in South African events and only left
the Kimberley region about year ago,
where he spent some time in the dia-
mond regions, and became perfectly IA
miliar with the mining situation. Upon
this phase of the situation he said:
NO diamonds have been mined since
the outbreak Of the war, and none could
be produced for two years to come,
even if peace was declared to-day. The
mines are flooded with water, some to
a depth of four hundred feet, the ms
chinery has been disabled or destroyed,
and much time and millions of money
will be necessary before the output of
gems can be resumed. This means,
practically, that the worlds supply has
been cut off for an indefinite but long
time to come. Not only are the mines
at Kimberley idle, but also those at Jag
erfontein, which are Immensely produce
tive, and where the largest diamond
ever known was found, weighing 700
carats and still uncut. The effect upon
the market is bound to be great, for
the demand is bound to go on, while
the chief source of supply is cut off.
81 know the contry we'll, the people
and the conditions. l was in the war
of 1881, with the Ninety-fourth regi-
ment. | was not at Majuba hill, but
in a battle nearby, at Bronkhurst
Sprutt. The Beers are wonderful
fighters, and command the respect of
every one as such, but their oppres-
sion of the Uitlanders has been some
thing intolerable, and yet abe outsiders
have paid the bills. In 1884, when the
Beers had a seven year naturalization
law, and were willing to give outsid-
ers almost everything, the revenues OF
the Transvaal were about six thousand
pounds year, and they were practice
ally bankrupt. In 1895 their revenue
was G7,S40,000. They have been pre-
pairing for this war for fourteen years
past, and have purchased arms, ammu-
milton and supplies right and left.
They made one fatal blunder, however,
and that was in not laying in a supply
of corn.
1.-THE English could sit down and
starve them out, but the war will not
be fought that way. 1t will be hot
work to a finish, if it takes every man
under the British flag. There as a great
lack of understanding as to the sitla-
ton and conditions there. In the first
place, the Beers are not Dutch SO
much as a mixture of Dutch, German,
French and Flemish, with a great
mingling of South African blood. Hhey
have great courage and sticking quail
ties, and make good fight. Their
losses arc not known, however, as they
have no means of outside communica-
ton. l have had many letters from
my brother-in-law and old comrades,
since the war started, and know the
situation very WELL"
Mr. Wyatt, who is stopping at the
Mcclure, will be in the city for several
days to come.