New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-19
CECIL RHODES'S SCHEMES.
NEGOTIATIONS WITH GERMANY NOT
YET ENDED.
STRIKING FIGURE IN EUROPEAN POLITICS
VIEWS on AMERICAS EXPANSION
MEET WITH sCEPTICIsM.

MEET WITH SCEPTICISM.
London. March 1S-The newspapers this week
reprinted from the American papers an interview
with Cecil Rhodes on board the steamer Haps-
burg in the Mediterranean. The remarks OF MI
Rhodes on Americas imperial future have at
tracted much attention. The Spectator how
ever 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 abil-
ity. is probably not favorable to the develop
mont Of n meteoric genius and without such
man the work can hardly be done rapidly. Eat
ing I'D South America like an artchoke state
by State Is n task TO overstran any people even
the Americans The carrying out OF the work.
too might bring TO a head the great danger or
the United States-the difference in the ideal and
permanent tendency between the North ana
South. 1t is true that the State system OF Amer
lea is n wonderful system of empire. but II Is
also wonderful provision for disintegration
The North may refuse TO persist In career OF
conquest which wearies II. and with Canada
may elect 10 form republic with another ideal
than governing which, although attractive,
wears out the surplus energy Of the governors.
II any one tells us the United States Will eX-
pand to the Strait of Magellan In spite Of them
selves we may believe him. But If he says, as
Mr. Rhodes SAYS that this expansion will be de-
libcrate. We shall hesitate and ask for evidence
that they wish the expansion to last"
Mr. Rhodes's striking personality stood out In
bold relief this week against the political back
ground Of minor interest The press OF three
countries-Great Britain. Germany and France
was full Of him. His visit TO Berlin marks an
important onward step in the Anglo-German I'M
derstanding and the French papers realize TINS
and the idea that the assistance OF Germany
might eventually be counted upon in war be
tween France and Great Britain is preposterous
The Figaro sees in Mr.. Rhodes's reception at
Berlin sure proof OF a secret convention between
Great Britain and Germany. while the Temps
says:
Frankly. II is impossible to overrate It's I'M
portance 1t is plain proof Of Emperor Willlan
desire for a rapprochement with Great Britain,
and the power and weight Of such a combination
cannot be exaggerated. II ought to furniSh iood
for reflection for those who fancied that "rah'e
had only To make Overtures In order 10 prins
Germany to her feet, and who, acting under this
dcusion. have been striving To bring about
rupture with Great Britain
MIR Rhodes however. has not yet arranged
hard-and-fast agreement respecting the Cape-to-
Cairo railroad. Politically Mr.. Rhodes and the
Er1paror have agreed. but financially their ar
rangement is hanging fire, and the Negotiations
between Mr. Rhodes and a German syndicate re-
specting financing the German portion, OF the
ra abroad have not yet been concluded. though
Mr. Rhodes has expressed the hope that an early
agreement will be arrived at.
II further appears that Mr.. Rhodes expressed
establishment at the German Emperors surprls-
ing knowledge Of the details OF the matter, ana
German official quarters. in their turn. were sur
prlsed at Mr. Rhodes's candid illusions 10 future
political projects including an Anglo-dermah
partition Of POrtugars East African possessions
which Mr. Rhodes fully expects Portugal VIII
no willing 10 sell to the two Powers within three
wears At present Mr.. Rhodes is al Amsterdam
arranging for the financial support OF the Dutch
Gpo