The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-07-05
WAR HELPS TRANsvAAL.
Traveller Says Country Is Booming as
Never Before

NGvST Before
John w. Kirkland. of the General Elec-
trfc company, has just returned from a
business trip of several months in South
Africa. Mr.. Kirkland has just completed
journey OF 1900 miles in the interest
or his company and he will hereafter be
stationed in Chicago
Concerning the present condition of the
country SO lately devastated by war; the
traveller asserted that it was only to be
characterized as booming. There was a
great deal of damage done by the war
he declares, but 1t was worth the price
in advertising the country. which Is now
being invaded by rich men from all parts
of the. globe as well as men of many ma
tionalties who are in fair financial cir
cumstances
When l first saw Durham" said Mr..
of stagnant habit, and with mighty small
indication that 1t would ever become the
bustling city that 1t rs now. Now Dur
ban Is one of the busiest ports in Africa.
Huge quantities of railway supplies and
other material are being taken in through
Durham, which is destined to be one of the
large marine towns of the continent
GAS matter of fact all the South
African towns have thrived by the war,
having taken their share of the profits
out of the immense quantities Of war ma
good money out of the refugees and out
of the new immigrants to the country who
have been pouring in since the war closed.
'At the present time there are hun
dreds of millions of dollars seeking invest
ment in all parts of South Africa All
the ports are booming, and 1t is the most
difficult thing In the world to secure
competent labor, because the Kaffirs made
so much money during the progress of the
campaign that they now refuse to work
except for tremendous wages. They are
and will not work unless it is an actually
necessary thing for them to do. All a
Kaftir needs is a breech clout and suffi
cient to eat and drink. To his mind
these essentials 9 a
fool to work.
although they have been building at a
great rate at Johannesburg since the war
it IS a most difficult thing to get house
to live in. Rents are nearly prohibitive.
having gone up 80 per cent since the war
ended.
so per cent of what 1t was before the
war. About $25, 900. 900 is now being ex
pended in extending the railway systems
of the country. and this gives work to the
majority OF competent laborers at high
scale. The Importation OF Chinese labor
seems to be absolutely essential to
success in mining operations. and in fact
there are so many mines now compelled to
remain imperative because of tabor con-
ditions that the country Is being retarded
seriously in its development.
1.-THE coal developments of South Africa
since the British obtained possession have
been extraordinary. The coal is as good
as first quality Welsh coal and in many
places crops right out of the ground. but
diamond mines and gold mines are dis
covered so frequently that it is hard to get
capital interested in anything but gold
or diamonds. Once the fever for gems
and gold subsidies there will be Won
derfui legitimate development Of the ter
ritory. There Is not doubt that South
Africa is the richest mineral territory In
the world and its possibilities are not yet
half realized.
"At present the government Is that OF
a crown dependence. There is a British
governor and a legislative council ap-
pointed by Lord Miner and the governor
of the Transyaal. Seventy five graduates
of American universities attended the last
celebration of Washiugton's birthday at
johannesburg The country Is full OF
Yankees and they are being employed in
many of the more important capacities.