The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-10-22

ton of the British South Africa Company
This was formed to open up, improve and
administer Mashonaland and all other Be-
chuana countries up to the Zambesia. One
of the Iesults was the Matabele war and
the defvat and death of King Lobengula.
The Jameson raid across the Transvaal
border was probably due to the influence Of
Cecil Rhodes, for he has never denied COM
plcity with it, and as its result he resigned
in 1896 as prime minister of Cape Colony.
He had been maintained in that office
through Dutch influence, and Mr.. Schrei-
ner, the present premier, was at that time
his trusted lieutenant. DR.. Jameson was
punished for his connection with the raid,
but in spite of the rather damaging reve-
lations brought out against Mr.. Rhodes at
the British parliamentary inquiry, it was
permitted to the latter to return to Africa,
with his power and prestige practically I'M
impaired. In September, 1898, he was again
elected to the Cape parliament.
On his last visit to Europe he was re-
ceived with favor on every side. He had
several interviews with Emperor William,
who gave dinner in his honor. He obtain
ed from the German government fran
ehise to build a railway and telegraph limo
through German territory in Africa. This
was long step toward carrying out one of
his great dreams of a "Cape-to-Cairo" rail-
way. In England, Oxford University hon.
ored Mr.. Rhodes with the degree of d. CT.
His rehabilitation with the British public
therefore, seemed to have been well nigh
completed.-New York Tribune.
It is said that Rhodes in all his South
African career has never concealed his
opinion that the Beers were an obstacle
which England must eventually remove.
Perhaps this explains why Boer hatred has
t-I l. tt&
the diamond spectators have favored him.
He was president of the De Beers compa-
ny, capitalized for a million, at the time
when fierce diamond competition was ruin
ing every company in Kimberley. After
others had failed he effected companies by
which ruinous competition was ended. He
was so successful In this that at the end of
1899 the De Beers Consolidated mines, limit
ed represented every mine in Kimberley
and controlled all prices. In 1892 this COM
bination of mines, under his direction, dis
posed of 500 900 900 worth of diamonds at
handsome profit. His wealth at that time
was estimated at $40 000, 900. He Is now said
to be worth $60,000,000.
But If Mr.. Rhodes was fond of wealth, he
was more fond of political power. His first
step to secure that power was to win from
England a charter for the British South
African company. At the same time he Sc
cured from Lobengula, king OF Matabele ana
Mashonaland, valuable mining concessions.
These two acts made him the leading power
in the Cape Colony. He announced that he
was now prepared to extend northward the
Cape railroads into Zambesia land; to en-
courage emigration and colonizat1on; to
promote trade and commerce and to de-
velop mines. Then he went ahead and car
ried out ali of his plans. He was elected to
The Capegs house of assembly. He became
treasurer of the Cape and when Chinese
Gordon asked him to go to Khartoum with
him as bis private secretary he declined.
Gordon was angry and replied:
'fYou afeSone of those men who never ap-
prove ofahything that you do not organize
vourselfssE
Rhodess reflected for moment and then
,nswereds
II am .ifchned to think you are right"
He succeeded Sir Gordon Spriggs as pre-
1ier of dhe Cape. He is believed to have
been the principal inspirer of the Jameson
aid intof Traansvaal,and to have taken
is course because HE believed Germany
Yas about to form an alliance with the
-ransvaa1 or assume a protectorate over
He was nominally disgraced for his con-
ct. but soon restored to his old power.
is building a telegraph line from Cape
own to Cairo. He has surrounded the
range Free State and Transvaal with En-
glish railroads and English forts. He has
practically shut France Germany and Por-
tuga out of the heart of Africa. And now
he is preparing to fight for Dot only what
lie has won, but for the homes and land
of the Beers. They say Cecil Rhodes is the
highest type to be found in man of the COM
mercial spirit of England in these last days
of the Nineteenth century. 800