The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-10-27
NAN WHO MADE soUTH AFRI "a
Career OF Cecil Rhodes, Whom Beers.
Are Anxious 10 Capture.

Career OF Cecil Rhodes, Whom Beers.
Are Anxious 10 Capture.
From the Baltimore American: Ce-
ell Rhodes, who is often described as
1.-THE man who made South Africa"
Is reported to be cooped up In Rlmber-
lev. 1t is also reported that the Boers
think so much of him that they have
placed a price of $4,000 on his head.
Mr.. Rhodes was formerly premier of
Cape Colony, and is certainly the most
prominent and most powerful man in
South Africa. He is likewise the
wealthlest man in that section. He has
achieved that place in twenty-six years.
In 1873 he left Oxford because OF lung
trouble, and went to the Cape In search
OF health. He Is the youngest son OF
an English clergyman, and. was born
vt IS.shOp Stortford, on July 8, 1858. He
did not 60 to South Africa to seek Ola.
monds. but because his physician mad
ordered q change. He continued MS
studies while living in Natal. and re-
turned to Oxford each year until he
took his degree at oTiel College.
II is hardly too much TO. say that
Mr.. Rhodes has made his fortune In
diamonds. Diamonds had been discoV-
cred In South Africa few years before
he got there. Finally, he too caught
the fever, and 1t was not long before
he had staked all he had In claims.
These he shared with his brother Her
bert, who later rellnQuished his share
and went to the north, where he met
his death while hunting elephants. Cecil
plodded away in the diamond fields,
where he was experimenting his gang
of Kaffirs. He was successful In his
ventures, and 1t was not long before
he found himself the possessor OF some
El,O0O, 900. He was elected to the Cape
parliament, and by his political adrolt-
ness was made prime minister In 1880.
He sought and won riches. but 1t Is un-
fair to assume that he has done so
solely for his own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
With the advancement OF his personal
fortune he has also striven to realize
an curly dream of bringing Africa un-
der British dominion.
THAT'S my dream-all English" he
said, many years ago, moving his hand
over map OF Africa up to the Zambe-
ii. Coupled with the acquisition OF
wealth, he has lahored toward that
end.
Mr. Rhodes financial schemes includ-
ed the combination Of the four leading
ullHlllk NpLlkllAAllE1f AhAHA kNN
dated de Beers mines. which yielded
vast results Soon after Its formation
came the discovery OF the great Trans
vaal gold fields and their exploitation by
Rhodes g. Company. His plans for
territorial expansion for English inter-
csts on great scale led to the lorna
ton OF the British South Africa Com
pany. This was formed to open up,
administer and Improve Newfoundland
and all other Buchana countries up to
the ZambeEl. One OF thu results was
the Matabele wal and the defeat and
death OF King Lobengul1. The jane
son raid across the Trlnsvnal frontier,
vas probably due to the influence OF
Cecil Rhodes. for he never denied COM
plicity with II, and as n result he re-
signed In 1896 as prime minister OF
Cape Colony. He had been maintained
In that office through Dutch influence,
and Mr.. Schrelner, the present premier.
was at that time his trusted lleuten-
ant. Or. Jameson was punished for
his connection with the raid. but, In
spite Of the rather damaging revela-
tons brought out against Mr.. Rhodes
nj the British parliamentary Inquiry,
It was permitted for the Inter to re-
turn to South Africa. with his power
ana prestige practically unlmpaired.
IN September, 1898, he was ngain elect
ed to the Cape parliament.
On his last visit to Europe he was
received with favor on nearly every
hand, He had several Interviews With
tho German emperor. who gave n din
nor In his honor. He obtained from the
German government franchise TO
build Il railway and telegraph line
through German territory in Africa
IhS WAS long step towards carrying
out one Gf His great dreams Of q Cape
ig.CJiro railway. In England. oxford
University honorcd Mr.. Rhodes with
the degre Of d. G. l.. His rehabIllta-
ton with the British public, therefore.
seemed 10 have been well-nigh COM
pctcd.