New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-06-17
kino GEORGES First Peer.

Fcfnp C-eorye1s pronounced interest in the
colonial dependencies Of his empire and hts
determination to make the development of
their prosperity and the strengthening OF
their bonds with the mother country the
KEYNOTE of the policy of his reign have re-
cefved a further manifestation by the fact
that the first peerage which he has ere
sted since his accession last month has
been bestowed on a colonial Sir John
Henry de vfIiers. an Africander.
Sir Henry. who has received this honor
On the occasion of the birth Of the Union
Of South Africa, which he has done so
much to foster. is the son Of Dutch pa
rents. was born at Wyneerg. in Cape Col
onv, and studied first divinity, with view
10 the Bastorate. and then medicine AT the
universities Of Utrecht, in Holland, ana or
Berlin before turning his attention to law
and receiving his cali 10 the bar at the
Inner Temple, in London. IN 1855 He was
the first Of the Africanders-that is 70 say,
the English subjects of Dutch parentase
in South Afrtca-to become an Enghsa
harrister. and IT was owing TO this that
he was appointed Attorney General OF the
Cane Of Good Hope at the early age Of
thirty and chief Justice of the colony ex-
actlv two years later He stin retains that
ONCE. = pIFSttCitt VI III IL
ell at the Cape. is member of the judicial
committee Of the Privy Council IN Eng
land-that is 70 say. the supreme tribunal
af the enlpire-and throughout his career
has always sought TO exercise moderat-
ing influence on South African affairs Dur
ing the period which preceded the Boer
war the most eminent Of living Afrf-
canders." as The London Times" called
him did his best to cause councils OF
naaea 70 prevail on both sides. and on sew
aral occasions went TO Pretoria In the en-
dasxor 10 adjust the differences between
President KRUGER and the British authori-
ties.
Sir Henry is learned and anna bic, uni
versaElv popular and respected through
on the length and breadth OF South AFRICA
almost equally we'll known in government
circles in London. is devoted to eotanN
ana to bees and owns estates embracing
some forty thousand acres Of land in some
of the finest fruit growing districts OF
cane Colony His elevation 70 the peerage
is most polite move on the part OF KING
G Jorge. which cannot fail TO give general
satisfaction in South Africa
II viii be welcomed by the English eie-
raent and still more so by the Afrtcanders'
and comedies curiously enough with the
rranafer by General Botha of his house
hold TO Groote Schuur. II may be recalled
that when Cecil Rhodes died he provided
nv his viii that Greote SchuIr. his beautt-
ful and picturesque home outside cape
Town, 70 which he was so devoted, ahe
whore he was happier than anywhere else
sno2,lA become the property Of the colony
err use as the official residence OF the
Prime Minister. Hitherto it has been oecu-
pied by his intimate friend and follower
DR.. Jameson, who was Prime Minister OF
Cape Colony and who has now vacated
II 70 General Louis Botha. the former
{ bitter and sworn enemy of Cecil Rhodes
bu+ who has row become the first Premier
/ of the Union of South Africa.
/ MARQUTsE DE FONTENoY.