A Prime Minister's Romance.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 69, 25 March 1904, Page 3

A Prime Minister's Romance.

Twenty-six years ago, long before South Africa hail been painted red on the map, a modest young Scotsman went on tas a -doctor to Kiuiberley. To-day, still young at 51, he is Prime Minister of the Cape. The most romantic game that ever was played is the great game of politics, and iveander Starr J ameson has played his hand in many of its exciting moves. All the world knows the strung,' career which has brought him to the highest, post the will of the Cape can give a man. It is quite like a page from a novel. Sharing his quiet rooms in Kiuiberley was another man whose name the world knows well. Cecil Rhodes, who had gone out to Africa to die, came to Dr. Jameson to live. "AVe Bhared a quiet little bachelor establishment together," says the new Prime Minister, "walked and rode out together, shared our meals, exchanged our views on men and things, and discussed his big schemes." It was the beginning of •an alliance which was to change the face of Africa. It is right to remember, when men speak of Dr. Jameson as a raider, that he gave up a practice said to be worth £SOOO a year to help in the making of an empire. The man who had caught the spirit of Cecil Khodes as the Great Colossus lay sick in liis bed and talked of his dreams was to take his place 011 many a balllcheld. Thirteen words decided the first Jlutalrele war. The -Matubelc Here attacking the Chartered Company's workmen, and Jameson wired to lUr Rhodes that he must, assume Hie offensive. "Head Luke xiv. HI." ,j„, wire Unshed back, and |ir. Jameson took down liis Bible, n .;nl n„. p.,J_ sage, wired back, "All rigbi : |„,j„ read Luke xiv. a :nl war. Jlu bas net it | k ,.„ afraid. |||„ father li.nl a euiint.ee „f hi-, to say that llucoii was Shnla'snere--and tile son inherited liis pluck. There is a story of 1111 angry town which threatened to lynch a native ra Salisbury gaol. The gaoler stood at the gate, rifle in hand, keeping the mob at bay, and "in- jj m : - was sent for. "Gentlemen," he shouted, when the mob allowed Mm to spoak, "just a few words—only hear me " : and then. "For God's sake don't, do this thing. We are 011 the eve of n boom !" l;,-hels liavc been Prime Ministers before, but lie would be a daring man who would have prophesii.fi 011 New Year's Day in lK'.Ki. Unit "Dr. W( ,u|,| be sent for in the name of t|„, j v in K to form a Cabinet . Yd there is much to admire even in "Dr. dim" the Haider, lie has been candid, at least. 'devolution, to be just iiied, must be successful ; ours was uol " he told n public nifvting : and he said, again, "I made a mess, and got 15 months. That is all. No : I may add one thing. I deserve fifteen years—for failing." |l e has reached another sphere now, and the stormy chapters have been closed. It will not be his fault, if the next chapter in his career is as the lirst Prime .Minister of a South African Commonwealth.