Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-04-09
RHODES GREAT IDEA
Was Of Eng|ish-speaking Peo-
pie Ruling the World.
Had Greatest Admiration for United
States of America.
And Would Have Based Foundation on
Our Constitution.

London, April S.-A letter written by
Cecil Rhodes to VIM. T. Stead in 1882
will appear shortly in the Forthcoming
number Of the American Review of Re-
views. The article, excerpts of which
follow, consists of a frank, powerful
explanation of Cecil Rhodes views on
America and Great Britain and for the
time sets forth his own Utmost aims
For originality and breadth Of thought
it cclipses even his now famous will
yet it is merely collection of disjoint-
ed ideas, hurriedly put together by tbs
colossus. as summary of a long con-
versation held between himself and Mr.
Stead. In those days Mr.. Stead was
not only one of Mr.. Rhodes most init
mate friends, as indeed he was till the
last: but, also, his executor. Mr.
Steads name was removed from the
list of the trustees of Mr.. Rhodes will
only on account of the war, which
forced the two men into such vehement
political opposition. OF this episode Mr.
Stead says:
Mr.. Rhodes action was only nat
ural, and, from an administration point
of view, desirable, and it in no way
affected my attitude as political conf
dant in all that related to Mr.. Rhodes
worldwide policy"
In three columns of complex SEN
fences the whole philosophy of Mr..
Rhodes international and individual
life is embraced. Perhaps it can best
he summarized as an argument in favor
of the organization of a secret society
on the lines of the Jesuit order, for
the promotion of the peace and welfare
of the world, and the establishment of
on Americana British federation with
absolute home rule for the component
parts.
Il am bad writer" said Mr.. Rhodes,
in one part of what might be called his
confessions; but through my ill-con-
nected sentences you can trace the lay
of my ideas, and you can give my ideas
the literary clothing that is necessary
But Mr.. Stead wisely refused to edit
or dress it up, saying: II think the pub
lie will prefer to have these rough, hur-
ried and sometimes ungrammatical
notes exactly as Mr.. Rhodes scrawled
them off. rather than have them sup
FLIED with literary clothing by anyone
else
Mr.. Rhodes commenced with declar-
ing that the key to his idea for the
development of the English speaking
race was the foundation Of society
copied. as to organization, from the
Jesuits.' Combined with "a differen-
tial rate and a copy of the United
States constitution" wrote Mr.. Rhodes.
is home rule or federation" An organ
ization formed on these lines in the
House/of Commons, constantly work
ing for decentralization and nat vast
ing time on trivial questions raised
by DIR. Tanner, or the important mat
ter of O'Brien's breeches,' would, Mr..
Rhodes believed. soon settle the all
important question of the markets for
the products of the empire
1.-THE labor question: he wrote, 'is i'm
portant. but that is deeper than labor
America, both in it's possibilities Of al
lance and its attitude of commercial ri
val. was apparently ever present in Me-
Rhodes mind. ''The world with America
in the forefront he wrote, '.is devis.ng
tariffs to boycott your manufactures
This is the supreme question. | believe
that England, with fair play, should man
ufacture for the world. and, being a free
tTduer, DelleNe tnat until the world
comes to its senses YOU should declare
war-I mean commercial WARMTH
those trying to boycott your manufac-
lures. That is my program. You might
finish the war by union with America
and universal peace for after a hundred
years. But. afterwards, this Millennium.
Mr.. Rhodes believed. the most powerful
factor would be "a secret society, organ
lied like loyoks. supported by the accuni-
ulated wealth of those whose aspiration
Is to do something, who are spared the
'hideous annoyance daily created by the
thought as to which ''of their incompe-
tent relations" they should leave their
fortune. These wealthy people, Mr.
Rhodes thought, would thus be greatly
relieved and be able to turn their ILL
gotten or inherited gains to some advan-
tage''
Reverting to himself, Rhodes said:
1T is fearful thought to feel you pos
sess patent and to doubt whether your
life will last you through the circumlocu-
ton of the patent office. / have that in
ner conviction that If I can live | have
thought out something that is worthy OF
being registered in the patent Office. The
fear is, shall have time and opportunity
and believe with all the enthusiasm bred
in the soul of an inventor. that il is not
Qualification that ! desire; but. the
wish to live and register my patent for
the benefit of those who. / think, are
the greatest people the world has ever
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