Evening star., 1906-06-15

output OF the four great diamond-produc-
ing mines Of South Africa.
Barney Barnato's fate was pathetic"
said Mr.. Williams. You remember he
jumped overheard from steamer on his
June, 1897. His tragic death was q dis
tressful close to phenomenal career. II
Is sad to recall how his brilliant and ver-
satile mind gave way under the enormous
merous and various enterprises In which
he was engaged"
How much money did he ieaveY
Nobody knows except his executors
They paid death duties on several million
pounds sterling but everybody was con-
f1dent that he was worth a great deal
and and : his fortune was inherited by his
brothers Harry and sSoily, or Solomon;
and Joel. his nephew. who were associ-
ated with him in business.
Rhodes Friendship for Belt.
Another of Cecil Rhodes friends and
associates who Is still living IL Alfred
Belt, a native of Hamburg, who went to
the diamond fields in 1875 as buyer for
the firm of Lippert & Company Of that
city. After a few years he established
himself on his own account, and in 1882
Porges & Company OF Paris. In 1889 Mr.
Porges retired, and the Arm Is now Wern-
her. Belt & Co., and they are the largest
dealers in diamonds and the stock Of dia-
lives at 26 Park Lane, London, where he
has conspicuous residence that has been
frequently written up in the newspapers.
Mr.. Belt acquired large holdings at
Kimberley. and for several years has been
one. of the most influential men in South
Africa. His great business ability was
him into cooperation They became very
intimate and he assisted Rhodes In Sc
curing control Of important interests. He
was largely instrumental in building up
q 7fyrfr, fv,1r lrfx,
Ing the dream Of Rhodes into practical
shape.
The rivalry between them in early
days was very keen, ana an interesting
story is told Of the clever way in which
Rhodes was outwitted by an agent of
Belts named Robinson In January, 1887,
while Rhodes WAS trying to buy farm
from Boer owner and was carrying on
negotiations with him in the orchard,
Robinson arrived on the ground and got
clue to what was up. Rhodes was MAX
bad Dutch, and the Boer was responding
in Dutch and bad English, when Robin
son went to the house and opened negotf-
ations with the vrouw. He knew the char
acter of the race, and when he placed a
pile Of gold sovereigns on the table she
would not let him go. She accepted his
offer for the farm and called In her hus-
band to confirm 1t. The latter left Rhodes
in the orchard, and when he was first told
what was wanted of him refused to have
anything to do with Robinson. But when
ne saw the nSdp OI SllllSIlHS sOld Ou tiiS
table in the kitchen he indorsed his wtfe's
action and Rhodes lost his farm.
Jameson Rhodes Successor.
'Who has taken Mr. Rhodes place "
asked.
Or Jameson has taken Rhodes place
as much as any man can. He Is director
in the De Beers Mining Company, prime
minister Of Cape Colony, and the leader or
the progressive element He came to
South Africa in early days as physician
and hung out his shingle at kimberley,
where he became intimate with Rhodes
and afterward lived with him. He was
Rhodes right arm in political matters and
was appointed administrator of Mashona-
How much money did Rhodes leave?"
His fortune, like Barnato's, was very
large, running way up INTO mhiohs VI
pounds sterling, but the amount mas never
been stated A large portion or II was IN
vested to sustain the Rhodes scholarships
at oxford University. He left his home.
near Cape Town, to the government as
a permanent residence for the prime MN
ister of United South Africa. Ihere is
no such official now. South Africa is not
vet united, but 1t will be one of these days
DIR. Jameson occupies the house now.
Rhodes had several brothers; one OF them;
Col Frank Rhodes, was distinguished
officer in the British army, who made hne
record with Lord Kitchener in Egypt He
died last year from a fever which he ac-
Quired during q hunting Trip iiito III
erior of Africa.
Rhodes Aims.
RHODES died March &C. 1902, near Cape
Town from disease of the heart whlch
had always clouded his hopes of life. He
had political projects that were visionary
and impracticable, but his heart was right.
He used to urge union of all the Eng
lish-sp speaking people to dominate the world;
to transform barbarism to civilization; to
maintain perpetual peace among the nations
and promote universal progress. His last
will and testament, in which he provided for
perpetual scholarships at Oxford for two
students from every state and territory IN
the United States, from every province IN
Canada and Australia and other English
speaking countries, showed that this idea OF
amalgamating the English-speaking races
was at the core of his heart. He was an
idealist, while such men as Barnato were
merely spectators.
ITO create a powerful company In Kim
berey was substantially all that the lead
ing men had been working for. but this
was far from satisfying Rrodes. Barnato
viewed the situation as a speculator and
investor Money-making through mining
on a sound basis was ayowediy the limit
of his scheme, apart from natural pride
in figuring as the foremost operator in these
of the first magnitude on the London stock
exchange. But money making was, at
most a minor consideration with Rhodes.
He, too, valued nancy highly, but not for
the bare delight of piling 1t up or for the
Iuxuries which 1t could purchase. Great
wealth was to him the essential means for
the furtherance of great plans He wanted
millions In hand or the assured control Of
millions to push his design for lighting
up of the dark continent by the torch
bearers of civilization, for the carrying of
the flag of Greater Britain from the cape
to Cairo.