The defender., 1900-01-27

Germany is not generally regarded as
/ land of rich men, and yet the golden
booR should have a very large section
devoted to Germany and Austria Hun
gary. 1t is true that most of the names
would have Prince before them, but
being of royal blood does not alter the
fact of wealth. Without counting the
pSivate properties of the sovereigns.
who ought not to be included. there
are dozen or so Teutonic Highnesses
whose wealth. not merely in lands, but
in money, Is enormous. For example,
that of the father of the present Prince
of Bulgaria was counted by many mil
lions sterling. Many of the dethroned
monarchs, again, are very rich, for roi
en- exil has ceased TO be a synonym for
poverty. No one. of course, knows the
exact wealth of the Orleans family.
but it is very great, and even the Bour-
bons are well off. Don Carlos. in spite
of the money he has spent on Spanish
and other adventures, is a millionaire.
The Russian Empire would also make
good show, for although the great
landed prOprietors have suffered Of late
years, many of the merchants and
hnancierS have done exceedingly we'll.
II rumOr is to be trusted, some of the
officials are also very rich. Fabulous
sums are attributed to one in particular.
The milliOnaires of Africa would, we
suppose, be confined to Kimberley and
the Rand; but possibly there are some
large fortunes in Cairo among the
Levantine colony. Asia will probably
make very respectable show in the
golden book. 1t is true that in the
Turkish and Persian empires million
aires are never lOng-lived, and this
fact tends to their non-existence; but
for all that, some of the Smyrna Greeks
and Damascus Jews ought to be able
to gain admission. India, on the other
hand, if the native princes who do not
possess sovereign rights are counted, as
they must be, contains q great number
Of extremely rich men. Not only are
there merchants in the great cities who
are worth several millions In personal
property, but there are also four or five
great Zemindars who have incomes
which represent the interest on two or
three millions sterling. The reaction
against thinking of India as place of
wealth has, in fact, been carried too
far; and we are apt to forget that
princely fortunes are still made and
kept there.
The truth about the Chinese fortunes
would be most curious If it could be
discovered. Unfortunately, it is the
land of the cryptic millionaires, Of the
men who live in little low houses and
hoard gold ingOts in the shape Of
Naples biscuits. 1t is known, however,
that the Empress DOwager is among
the richest, if not the richest, persons,
alive; while Ii Hung Chang, unless he
has lately been plundered, which is un-
likely, must also have vast wealth. Out
side China the Chinese are often very
rich, and dare to show their wealth.
For example. it is always said, and as
far as we know with ttlth, that several
of the Chinese merchants of Singapore
are men of enormous riches. With the
American millionaire it Is hardly nee
essary to deal. What place is not full
Of the report Of his dollars? 1t should,
however, be noted that, though one or
two of the American fortunes are be-
yond the dreams Of avarice, the number
Of warm men" is, In proportion to
not so great as it is here.
There are, that is, not so many great,
but far more small, milllonaires In
England The man who reaches the
S., 100000 mark is apt either to lose Il
all again, or else to turn it into $50.
900, 1000 or $1OO,OO0,O0O.
Spanish South America is not, as .
rule, regarded as a place for rich men,
yet, as a matter of fact, Chill, Mexico,
Brazil and the Argentine have all with
In the last thirty years produced for
tunes on the great scale, and not very
long ago the greatest heiress in the
world was said to be the only daughter
Of a South American millionaire
London Spectator.