New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-06-03

COLONIES WANTED-A SETTLEMENT IN hfhi'A
ADvOCATED-CENTRAL AFRICA EXPECTED
TO PROVE A GERMAN INDIA-MARyELS OF
THE FIELD Posr-THE HERMANN MONU-
MENT.
[FRoM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
FRANKFoRr- ON THE MAIN, May 49, - The
African traveller, Gerhard Rohfs, has noteworthy
article in the AuqSbger AH5emeine Zeitung the
rne and commercial stations OF Germany. Though
nothing official attached the article the fact that
the traveller fav0rite of the Emperor and welcome
guest at Prince Bismarcks lends some Importance TO
whatever he says, the he is in political
isurnas rarely Rohfs urges that all attempts to es
tabHsh German colonies are date attempts have
been made earlier to induce the Germans TO to other
colonies but the powerful attraction" of America rem
ders these attempts useless In regard TO the much
talked of fleet Rohfs does not any necessity for Ger
many endeavOring TO Outstrp England and the United
States. Germany now possesses tho third mercantile
fleet in the world, following England and the United
States this has been created under the pro-
lection Of strong German fleet, but solely by German
energy and in spite of difficulties rarely met with by the
other Powers The Spanards Portuguese Danes Dutch,
French and English have long had their own colonies,
from which they import products and with which they
are able to trade the favorable terms and had
fleets protect their interests long before the Germans
ever thought of building their marine. The question is
says Rohlfs it, in spite of all difficulties, the German mer-
camille interests have developed well under the pro-
lection OF the small marine is it necessary to have
feet equal to Englands, Frances 10 protect it in
future Rolfs says ~ Germany has no colonies
to protect; her coasts are secured she Is more
military than marine nation. Germanys fleet is neces-
sary only for the protection OF her foreign shipping in
terests.
The naval strength OF Germany is now 35 steamers in
part ironplaed with So sailing ships, with
1907 and SO smaller vessels with 69 cannon oneninh of
the size Of the French feet 1871 however, will see II
plated ships and II corvettes added to it, and even
then France will have fleet three times the strength OF
that of Germany This however, says Rohlfs, will be
amply sufficient to protect German shipping interests
abroad But with this increased strength there arises
all the greater necessity for naval stations, OF which
Germany does not possess single one and mercantile
stations of which she only has SnyakO the Slave
Coast. Now, German commercial shipping interests are
greatest on the Atlantic though is also true Drouyn
de Lhuys the French exMnster has shown that since
the Anglo-French campaign against China, German
trading interests have immensely increased in the Ash
attic waters, and will be still further increased when
direct commerce is opened with Japan, China. and the
East Indies For the Atlantic, then, naval station for
Germany appears essential. But where shall it BET On
this point quote Rohlfs' own words:
"The Atlantic II bounded by Europe and'Afrca the
side by America on the other. IL Is very evident
that we 40 nS' Wish TO come INTO SdSus
foothold in America Indeed, we have seen of late
desire manifested by all the European Powers 10 get rid
OF their possessions with as good grace as they can
1t well known how little Importance England attaches
with the United States for the ccdng Of ST Thomas
still fresh In memory; we know how ingorously ended
tinent by means OF dependent Mexican Empire
this moment Spain Is negotiating With the United states
she possesses in Amerca-Cuba; while Russia has long
North American possessions since Germany is not so
fortunate as to possess coast upon the Atlahuc we
have only the African Continent left to US on which TO
erect naval and prospectvey, commercial stations
In Africa we establish such settlements without fear
italy has lately set the example by acquiring strip
OF the outlet of the Red Sea for naval and com
This passage is noticeable for the cearness with which
ROhs recognizes the importance of Germany keeping
on friendly with the United States. He does not
however, go very deeply into the subject in question,
combining himself mainly TO urging that Germany should
hasten to herself naval and trading stations on
the west coast of Africa The fact is that though Ger
many has hitherto done the in scientifically explor
ing Central Africa she has as yet secured but few com
mercal benefits therefrom ROhs had previously urged
the importance of Germany Prussia) completing COM
mercal the Sahara from TripOi TO BOrna,
with the Sultan of which latter country Prussia is on
very friendly terms. Rohlfs is OF the untold
wealth Of the center of Africa yet untouched by the
trading world He reviews the points the west Afri
can coast most favorable for naval and commercial
stations The principal ones lie southwark of Morocco
near gdes the Bay of Argila the Quos Bay, but more
especially the mouth of the Niger He thinks that Spain
could be induced parwh Fernando Po The tenor of
the African continent field for German enterprise,
and it is not probable that his ideas will be allowed TO
pass unnotced in official quarters The fact is very evil
dent that whatever country succeeds In establishing
good trading routes in Central Africa and
secures the friendship and good will of the African
Princes as Emperor William Of Prussia has done In the
case Of the Sultan of Borna), will open sources Of
wealth as yet undreamed Of Rohlfs has Travelled over
the whole interior drained by the Niger and the Benre
Rivers and holds that trading station at the mouth OF
the Niger would in connection with military stations III
the interior the whole trade of SOudan, and more
especially OF Borna Rohfs thinks that Central Africa
can be made relation Germany what India is to
England; and no is more competent to make this
assertion than he since in all his travels the scientific
and commercial interests Of the countries explored have
been carefully observed and noted ROhlfs describes
many parts of the far interior lands flowing with
"mlk and honey or properly expressed, rich in ivory
woods gold diamonds, fruits, &c. The idea that Central
Africa is a great desert has long been exploded.
Interesting evidence Of the intelligence Of the German
troops and Of the attention paid furnishing them with
postal facilities Is contained in the statistical survey OF
the labOrs OF the German military postal service Just laid
before the Rechsrath 1t contains a most interesting
and indeed remarkable survey Of the organization
well the services of this branch of Prussan military
discipline There established in France by the
military postal authorities, 81 movable field posofces
and field poststatons, 1872 stable fedpost relays 40
regular postOces in the occupied French districts and
1855 German Observation-Disclosures All. The German
postal routes extended district OF 1900 square
German miles, their total length 5000 miles OF which
LOO miles the turnpikes and 1900 On the rail
roads. personnel of GAG employed In the field
most service as follows 29i officials OF the mobile field
postofces 22 relays, 1lO0 suboflcias and postil
lions; beside which, I,9i3 officials OF the Postal
Department were called into the ranks. Adding the
officials placed III Asace and Lorraine, and those en-
ployed at the field collecting places, the Post Office il
rona, into.