A NEW DE BEERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 826, 14 February 1903, Page 4

A NEW DE BEERS.

FABULOUS IN ITS RICHNESS.

Johannesburg, Jan, 4. The Berlin correspondent of the Band Daily Mail cables particulars of a big diamond boom. He says there is considerable excitement in Berlin consequent on the reported find in German South West Africa of a rich diamond rnino. According to rumours circulating, the yield is fabulous in its richness, and quite eclipses any South African output. A company has been formed to exploit the fields, the exact situation of which is in the district of Sibeon, in German SouthWest Africa. Some Bremen capitalists are at the head of the promotion, and Senator Achelis, who is reported to be one of the richest merchants in Germany, is chairman. The capital has been fixed at five millious, most of which, however, will bo privately subscribed, and about one million will be placed for public subscription. In every large German town, canvassers are busy soliciting subscriptions for shares, which in financial circles, is not regarded as a very good omen. The canvassers are assuring prospective investors that the district of Sibeon is sure to be. come a second Kimberley, and is destined to deliver the world from the bonds of a De Beers monopoly. As a matter of fact there is very little reliable information to be obtained respecting these fields, and there is practically nothing to give the glowing promises of the company any authority. Diamond dealers and experts, who have a knowledge of the country, ridicule the possibility of the venture becoming a commercial success. Most of them assert that if marketable diamonds exist in German, Africa, or anywbero else in the “ dark continent,” Englishmen would have discovered them long ago. The Kaiser, however, is taking the keenest interest in the discovery, and I understand that all necesssary papers have been laid before him.

Paris, Dee. 30. Gen. Moritz, who has just left Marseilles on the steamer Djemneh, for Madagascar, was President Kruger’s guest for five days. He declared that the latter was favorable to the emigration of the Boers to Madagascar, if suitable territory could be procured for them. Whatever happens Mr Kruger himself will nover return to the Transvaal. He would suffer too much to see his people under English domination.