The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-08-15

Sir Philip Sassoon. who is arriving
on board the Mauretania enjoys the
distinction of being the youngest NOM
Der OF the House OF Commons. 10 which
ne was elected last spring, Tor Hythe.
lie mas also quite recently come into a
very large fortune. In the neighborhood
Of fifteen or twenty. million dollars
through tho death of his father, the
rate Sir Edward Sassoon, and from his
mother. the late Lady Sassoon, who
was daughter and helress OF Baron
IustaVe Rothschild. Or Paris. Third
nafonct OF MS family. he has also taken
over nus fathers controlling interest
~ ana supreme direction OF the entire
British telegraph system in Asia and
northern Africa. The services when
tHe 4ate Sir Edward and his father be-
loVe MIN rendered to the British gov
erhment in this connection. have been
so great that Sir Edward would have
neen raised to the House OF Lords had
y not been for his premature death.
Is likely to be bestowed upon his H.
Slr Phllip, as soon as the Union.st
party returns to power
II IS not only that the control Of
inns telegraph sysem in Asia and Afri-
ca py the Sessoons ensures the safety
from any interruption of communica-
uohS through the cutting of the wires
6y the natives but that tho Sassoons
Tor the past POO years. and from long
before they migrated from Baxdad 10
Honoay, have been the principal bank.
rs o. tne orient. 1t is their money
mat mas nnanced almost all the native
trade Of Asia and OF Northern and Cen
"a Africa. and though nothing but per
sohal security is ever asked by them
rom the native borrowers. and coli
lateral is never demanded vet their
losses arc few and far between Tho
traders, the tribesmen, and the various
chieftains ana rulers knowing thai 40
t1lI the Sassoons' would be to lose
all possibility OF trading again The
consequence is that in spite OF the all
most continuous strife raging about
Us former headquarters at Bagdad. and
1I,r9uiaa SO many Of It's branch estab-
Hshments In Asia and Africa. no at
tempt has ever been made to COINS
cate the wealth Of the house. or 10
loot its treasure.
Moreover. in the dangerous passes or
AiShanista in the provinces Of china
Wnere white men are most abhorred in
tne most fanatic Khanates of Central
the savage desert tribes which tnfes7
the sahara and Soudan. a passport or
safe conduct bearing the signature and
seal of the Sassoons constitutes an
INFINITELY better protection than any
document bearing the stamp OF the
Car of Russia. or OF King George,
Emperor OF India.
The Sassoons are descended from \
J."Lih sept known as the Ivn- Shoshan.
VINO In olden days prior to the expul-
sion OF the Jews from Spain, held the
position of Nossii or chiefs OF the
Jewish community Of Toledo. Tie
name OF shoshan, which signifies Lily
IN Hebrew was corrupted into Sassoon.
WH!cn means "Sladness." Tho family
claims descent from King David. and
ifeDrah1m sassoon, who aourished at
nusuad In the seventeenth century, is
SAID TO have secured records and com
pi4ed q seneaiosy showing that he Was
Il Ilrcct descendant of Shepaatiah. lie
y! IN son OF King David. Not only are
tnere numerous references t. the name
OF tne family In ancient Hebrew lit
vIature. but even In the ralmud I'm
IKE the Oppenheims. the Cansn dan
NeIs, ana several other famous bank
crs' the Sassoons have always remained
true to the faith OF their fathers, and
Even when Edward VII and King
Seorse were guests OF the late A-thl9.
Sassoon at rulchan Lodge, in SET.
!1ne, the host and hostess faithfully
observed the Day OF Atonemcnt 4,
silence and Tasting. and out OF fesnac,
d dGT their feelings their royal guests
Copyright, 1912. by the Brentwood
Company