The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-28
WARS EFFECT ON THE RAND
UITLIyDER vJEW GIVEN BIZ JOHS
NAYS HfMNOND.

Boer Authorities. He Thinks, VIII Protect
the Mines, n Possibie-war Negotiable
but VIII he Ultimately OF Greater Benr-
TT Than Reforms Grudgingiy Granted
John Hays Hammond. the American mining
engineer. IN an interview with representa-
tive ~ tho Engineering Magazine. has dealt
with tho industrial situation in South Africa
and the effect Of the present war upon II. The
article explains how. from the Uitlander
point Of view. II Is expected that tho min
ing industries Of the Rand will be bet-
tered by the establishment OF new gov
eminent In the Transvaal. Mr. Ham,
mond argues that tho situation affects
tho whole Of tho civilized world for
tho reason that IN 1879 the Witwatersrand
fields alone contributed 25t, per cent. Of tho
gold product Of the globe. and within i've years
they will reach s3G 100000, which will be more
than double the output Of that year.
Mr.. Hammond does not think that any de-
structon Of equipment in mines will receive
official IIocr sanction. Contrary To tho
generally received opinion. British in
forests are minority in the owner
ship Of the mines. the majority OF the
shares being hold In Germany France. and
other European countries and even should the
Geneva Convention exercise little influence
upon the conduct Of tho Transvaal officials. the
large neutral interests involved would deter
the heads OF the Governm ent from directing or
sanctioning any wrecking OF property or plant.
But tho Young Boer parti'ans are hardly
likely TO weigh very accurately proper
tionate ownership or the after consequences
OF wreakng their bitter feelings on tho
nearest tangible object identified. in their
minds. with their enemies. and 10 great con-
fdencc can be felt. therefore. that the heads o.
tho Government will be able. even II DESTROYS. to
protect the mine property from injury Whole.
sale destruction is not TO be apprehended. but
more or less vandalism OF o desultory cha racter
f. For the present; it IL likely that some OF
Worked inY Tor the go 4a nscdsd w the
Boer Goyernment: but no attention 70
robbng Of the mine and driving Of the ma.
chinciy to death, The mines themselves-the
underground wOrkings-arc, OF course. not
much subject to damage. They will remain,
and viii be reopcp"d and evcatpally worked
under a better order OF things than any that
While II IA 70 b, regretted that the, desired
tainsd by peaceful means there can be no no
doubt In Mr., Hammond's opinion that. having
regard TO th1, financial nspcct. tho drastic
far greater benefit To the mining industry Of
south Afrcn than tho economic reforms which
otherwise would have been grndgingy granted.
The sum OF Bs. per ton would be a cOnserva-
tive estimate OF the direct and indirect benefits
OF gool government THIS saving would he
81 $40 10 El2.OOC aud would result In an IN.
crease OF annual dividends bT e. $50. I3l. based
ON last years tonnage Of orc crushed"
The mining economies directly secured ~
the removal of the present abuses will he In
connection with the cheapcning OF costs
Of mining supplies. especially OF dynamite.
the suppression Of the traffic in stolen anal gam
md gold AMI with tho Improvement ia the
labor situation. with which IL closely connected
the regulation OF the traific in liquor. This.
as II has been iictly carried on Mr. Hammond
saye. has been costly Item % the mining COM
pnnies and the cause as we'll Of many accidents
Ia the expected Improvement in the labor
expects that South African m, i indnstra
interests will find large pront The trouble,
he says. Is that conditions have been
blacks would submit 10 working in the Trans. |
Naal. and even these hardly at all except under |
pressure ~ absolute necessity. Abuse. ex- |
tGr , ion , enforced shor on ihc farms with;
earnings by Eoers-these have not attracted |
the negro to the South African Republic. M |
doubt the regulation II poit cal conditions as |
Boer of the Transvaal has not even approached |
T.. Oppresson Of the blacks has ruined the |
labor snprIy Of the Wity3tersrand. ana not the |
will be the amelioraton OF con- |
ditions In this respect
England has not embarked on my war Of |
bur nnon definite undertaking TO right in
tolcihhc wrongs. 10 bring liberty and Justice
in place OF Oppression and cXtortion. and.
OF guot What Mr. ch1Immsrai9 TO do for
Whatever the outcome OF the present struggle
hHr statesmen m,nst not and will not forget
their aim nor he blinded to 1t by greed oi ac-
guIsui9n. The Beers are struggling for in
dependence. as they conceive ~. Their fatal
mlstnke has been IN seeking Independence 10
90 do,v wrong Eng,and's mistake would be
control