New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-19

and titular sovereignty at small cost gave him
what he required. Now that landing on the
coast has been effected by the French expe-
dition, the quarrel between the two explorers
| becomes an international episode OF pressing
| Importance.
The Congo empties into the Pacific midway
| between the French possessions on the Gaooon
| and the Portuguese settlements in Angola.
For n distance of Is miles from its mouth it is
| open to the largest steamers; second section
of go miles IL not navigable; but hey ond
Stanley pool there is an unhrOken waterway
for thousand miles through rich and popn-
Ions country. Mr.. Stanley, after his perilous
Journey across the Continent, conceived the de-
sign of utilizing his discoveries by opening the
valley of the Congo to the commerce OF the
world. Returning to West Africa as the agent
of an international association formed in Bel
gium he built road along that portion OF the
river which was rendered unuavigable Ivy
rapds and cataracts. This road was designed
to facilitate the transportation of produce and
goods between Stanley Pool and the lower falls,
and in this way to open the Congo and its trihu-
taries to European trade. While Mr.. Stanley
was occupied in establishing his circuit of ira'l-
ing posts and building his road, his rival, M'
de Brazza, appeared among the natives north
of the Congo, flourislcd French flag made a
treaty with King Maxoko, and laid out on
paper a road from Stanley Pool to the coast.
This road DIVORCES from the Congo at Stanley
Pool, following an air line westward TO the
coast, whereas the river has southwesteriy
course to the sea. M. lie Brazza's road IL longer
than his rivals, inasmuch as he makes no use
of the lowest section of the Congo in his scheme
of TRANSPORTATION. 1t has also another disad-
vantage it is not built. He has returned,
however, as the proprietor OF TINS proposed
road an the imaginary station, BrazzaVlile, nj
its eastern terminus, to assert his rights under
the treaty with King Makoko, and to establish
the exclusive claims of France to regulate all
colonial and trading enterprises IN the Congo
Valley.
Meanwhile the Portuguese Government has
renewed its claims to sovereignty over the
western coast OF Africa between the nth and
eighth degrees of south latitude. These claims
are assumed to be grounded upon rights OF dis
coyery possession and Creaties with the natives
and Europe but are not entitled 10 serious con-
sideration. The British Cabinet, annoyed by
the grpsping disnusItion evnced by the French
Government and approaching the praiseworthy
efforts of the Belgium association to open this
great waterway 10 European commerce, WAS Mt
first inclined to recognize these fictitious claims;
but public sentiment revoted against the idea
of strengthening the hands of the Portuguese
save-traders in West Africa, and the question
WAS virtually disposed of in the recent debate
in the Commons. If the choice lies between
France and Portugal, England will naturally
side with the Power which will moi promote the
horrors of slav. traffic. The French Govern
meat. therefore, can safely proclaim ITS soyer-
eighty over the Congo region, naSmuch as the
consent of England is secured IN advance.
This it vii! probably do. Whether NJ. de
Brazza will endeavor to open his road aud con-
test the ground openly with his rival IN the in
terror is a matter of conjecture