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Yet in this very exchange, which Quigley cites as evidence of Rhodes's detailed instructions for the scholarship scheme pro- the enduring nature of the Society, we can also see the signs that vided for 60 students from the Empire, 32 from the United States the Society was not functioning as effectively or as smoothly as and a smaller number from Germany to be taught and accommo- Rhodes had envisaged. Milner, Esher, Stead, Rothschild and dated at Oxford for one year. The primary objective of the schol- Garrett besides, there is a dearth of evidence that any of the others arships, according to Rhodes's will, was to instil in the minds of named in Rhodes's wish list was approached or agreed to the students "the advantages to the Colonies as well as to the participate in his secret society. United Kingdom of the retention of the unity of the Empire".” More importantly, it would appear that events in southern While his vision of imperial unity has not been achieved, Africa, coupled with Rhodes's growing health problems, were of greater concern to his thinking than his broader imperial schemes. ship scheme has become one of his more endur- ul legacies. A disproportionate number of its Thus in 1894, citing his increasingly onerous financial candidates have achieved high office. For example, prominent commitments in southern Africa, Rhodes refused a request from Rhodes Scholarship alumni include the former Australian Prime Stead to provide a promised income of £5,000 a year to the Minister Bob Hawke and US President Bill Clinton, as well as at Association of Helpers, by then in least nine senior officials in the Clinton rapid decline, effectively killing that Administration and 11 in the Kennedy part of his scheme.” Administration. This has prompted Judging this apparent fiasco, we can some observers to claim that the best surmise that Rhodes's infectious q By the late 1890s, Rhodes Scholarships have produced a enthusiasm in this case clearly instead of a secret society "permanent party of government as it exceeded the practicality of his idea. Rhodes embraced the idea of exists in law, business, intelligence, But it would be a mistake to conclude . . diplomacy and the military" that he abandoned it. a scholarship for white men (Hitchens). itl i While such claims are debatable— THE RHODES SCHOLARSHIPS drawn from the British Empire there appear to be few Rhodes Scholars Rhodes did not lose his enthusiasm and the United States. in the current Bush Administration— for Anglo-American leadership of an there can be little doubt that the Rhodes imperial federation, but, as his health Scholarships have advanced the careers deteriorated and events in southern of many aspiring politicians and Africa continued to dominate his time bureaucrats to a remarkable degree. and thinking, he turned to other means of achieving his goal posthumously. By the late 1890s, instead of a secret society MILNER'S "KINDERGARTEN" Rhodes embraced the idea of a scholarship for white men drawn Although the "Society of the Elect" failed to eventuate in from the British Empire and the United States. In choosing this Rhodes's lifetime—itself cut short by heart failure in March course, Rhodes appears to have been influenced by the arguments 1902—Milner, with his so-called "Kindergarten", had inadver- of Astley Cooper, editor of the periodical Greater Britain and an tently planted the seeds of its realisation in southern Africa. ally of Stead, and Thomas Beare, from the University of The Kindergarten was a group of young Oxford graduates, Edinburgh. mostly from New College, who had been drawn to southern During the 1890s, Cooper and Beare had advocated the concept Africa to serve in the British colonial administration during and of "Empire scholarships", with the aim of strengthening "those after the Boer War (1899-1902). They included J. F. (Peter) invisible ties...which will keep together...the Anglo-Saxon race". Perry, Lionel Curtis, Hugh Wyndham, Patrick Duncan, Geoffrey Rhodes ruminated on the scholarship idea throughout the last Robinson (who took up the surname Dawson in 1917), Philip decade of his life, eventually incorporating it into his sixth and Kerr, Lionel Hichens, Richard Feetham and Robert H. Brand. seventh wills. However, it was in his final will of 1 July 1899 that This group of recruits, almost all in their twenties and unmarried, the idea took its penultimate form as the "Rhodes Scholarships".”° came with a belief in the superiority of English civilisation and a 50. ibid., p. 50. p. 690. Skinner and Thomas Wilson (eds), Essays 51. ibid., p. 51. 58. Philip Jourdan, Cecil Rhodes: His on Adam Smith, Clarendon Press, 1975, 52. Quoted in George Louis Beer, "Lord Private Life By His Private Secretary, pp. 202-217. Milner and British Imperialism", Political John Lane, 1911, p. 234. 63. Ged Martin, "Empire Federalism and Science Quarterly, June 1915, p. 304 59. Quoted in Marlowe, Milner: Apostle Imperial Parliamentary Union, (emphasis added). of Empire, p. 115. 1820-1870", The Historical Journal 53. ibid., p. 301. 60. Whyte, The Life of W.T. Stead, vol. XVI() (1973), pp. 65-68. : 54. Quotes in Norman Rose, The Cliveden Il, p. 210 (including Rhodes quote). 64. ibid., pp. 88-89; Disraeli quoted in W. Set: Portrait of an Exclusive Fraternity, 61. See W. T. Stead, The M. P. for D. McIntyre, Colonies into . Pimlico, 2000, p. 48; and Gollin, Russia: Reminiscences & Correspondence Sonmomvealith, Be noord Press, 1268, Proconsul in Politics, p. 314. of Madame Olga Novikoff, A. Melrose, 65. Seymour Ching. Yuan Cheng 55. Stokes, "Milnerism", pp. 51-52 1909, vol. I, pp. 130-133. Setters far fie Itadlaattion of the British (including Milner quotes). 62. Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Empire, Columbia University Press, 1931, 56. Quoted in Wrench, Alfred Lord Nature and Causes of The Wealth of pp. 37-39. Milner, pp. 186-187; and John Marlowe, Nations, University Paperbacks, 1961, vol. 66, Nimocks, Milner's Young Men, p. 14. Milner: Apostle of Empire, Hamish II, pp. 137, 139 (first pub. 1776). Seealso 67, Quigley, Tragedy and Hope, p. 131; Hamilton, 1976, pp. 114-115. David Stevens, "Adam Smith and the 57. Quoted in Rotberg, The Founder, Colonial Disturbances", in Andrew Continued on page 30 By the late 1890s, instead of a secret society me a NEXUS + 29 Rhodes embraced the idea of and the United States. FEBRUARY — MARCH 2005 www.nexusmagazine.com