New-York tribune., 1901-06-02

"--S htS aA lnal llfIe E0ltOr OF The P2U Mall |
Hazeiira and labOred under him as a journalist !
Until his newspaper work brought him iDso con- |
tact with Lord Goschen. The latter does not |
give his confidence readily but when once he !
trusts and likes anybody he does so cnthusi- /
asscally and gratefully He in turn was fasci- |
oated by Milner. whose services he secured as .
private secretary
Lord Goschen throughout his long career has /
bad many private secretaries, most of whom
have subsequently, distinction. But not
one of them ever succeeded in winning his af- |
fecaonate regard TO the extent that Milner did |
to whose fortunes he contributed in no small
measure When Sir Edgar Vincent, another of
his former private secretaries, resigned his place
as financial adviser to the Khediye-that is TO
Say. as representative OF the British Govern |
ment in the Egyptian Cabinet-Goschen nomi- !
MATED Miner his successor. Some years later
when the presidency Of the Board of Inland
Revenue became vacant. which is regarded as
one OF the plums Of the English civil service, |
Lord GOschen brought him back from Egypt
and appointed him to the post, so as TO have
his advice and assistance in all matters of ma |
tonal finance. Afterward, when il became |
necessary to find man for the most difficult |
Office OF High Commissioner in South Africa |
possessed of sufficient strength OF character. in
tesrity and tact to remain independent of Cecil |
Rhodes and of his financial friends. who had
until that time been the predominant force in |
South Africa, yet without antagonizng them. |
Milner was chosen for the post. His appoint |
ment hailed with satisfaction not only by |
the government which had made it, but marvel |
IOus to relate, by the leaders Of the opposition,
and by the press representing every shade Of
political and public opinion.
HIS SUCCESS IN SOUTH AFRICA
AS soon as Milner reached the Cape of Good
nland Of the Dutch patois as spoken throughout /
South Africa, so as to be able to communicate !
directly with the Beers and subjects of Dutch |
origin Without entering here into any discus
sion Of his treatment Of the Dutch element in +
South Africa, concerning which a diversity Of
opinion prevails, it be confessed that he
has proved a wonderfully successful administra-
tor For he has without offending the Rhodesian
ring OF capitalists and mine owners deprived its
members Of their former preponderant influence,
and established in its stead the authority Of the
British crown as the all controlling power. Up
TO the time that Miner went to Cape Town
Cecil Rhodes and his friends OVersnadowed .
everything and everybody South Africa
Colonial premiers and governors, commanding
generals and high commissioners We're regarded .
as creatures OF the sO-calIed Colossus" TO be .
broken. and sent home if they declined to sub
NIT to his will, as the late Sir Bartle Frere
English Government at time forced TO
treat with Cecil Rhodes a power with an
other, and under the thny yeiled menace Of his
proclamation Of all British South Africa as
republic under his presidency, 10 defer TO him |
.n many matters In fact, il may be questioned |
whether at the time when Joseph Chamberlain |
became Colonial Secretary. and even after
ward up to the time of Miners going to the /
Cape, Cecil Rhodes did not constitute a greater /
danger to England and a more serious obstacle |
TO her prestige than "Oom Paul" and the two
Boer republics put together
no one hears much to-day Of Cecil Rhodes. /
who has been shorn Of all his power and rele-
gated TO such a degree Of obscurity that his
cOmings and his goings now pass unnoticed by |
the press as devoid of public interest. One |
rarely sees his name in print. or mentioned in |
connection with South African affairs. There is /
only one name there which carries weight, !
which is respected by some and feared and
hated by others, the sole and only power in
South Africa-that Of Miner. the Kings High 1
Commissioner. And, more wonderful than all, |
Nilner has accomplished this without antagoniz- |
ing Rhodes upon whose assistance. indeed. he |
is bile 10 count having cut his claws and trans 4
formed him from the master Of the home gov /
ernrnent in African affairs to a submissive in- /
strument This is the secret of Miners eleva-
ticn 10 the House of Lords That he has been