New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-03
EUROPEAN ANNEXATION SCHEMES.

EUROPEAN ANNEXATION SCHEMES
The territories of the British Crown have
been increased In West Africa rs well us IN the
South Seas. The London journals contain
letters from Sierra Leone announcing that GOV
eTnor HavelOck, acting on instructions nom
Lord Derby, has anne ed to that colony large
tract extending along the coast from British
Shsrbro to within few miles OF the Republic
of Liberia. This secures under proclamation
from the Queen the entire control OF the trade
of that coast. The colony of Sierra Leone has
never been in dourshing condition. but rs
the additional territory acquired is rich in
African produce satisfactory results arc antic-
ipated NO far as revenue is concerned Almost
:he entire west coast OF Africa south Oh Mo-
rocco with the exception Of Liberia, i now
claimed by various European Governments,
France and Great Britain being the main
rivals. The reason assigned for this new an
nexation of territory il that the French agents
had been secretly undermining the Influence OF
the British por;h of Sierra Leone, and appre-
tension was felt lest they might he equally
successful in the southern quarter Lord
Derby will not he in u position to raise serious
objections to the proceedings Of DE Brazza ut
Popta Negra If that adventurer with his
armed force to support his claims annexes as
dependency of France the whole Congo region,
including Stanley's new road and chain Ut trad
ing posts.
The ACQUISITION IF New-Guinea by the au-
thoriiirs oi Queensland, Australia, Is naturally
greeted with expressions OF sardonc hum0r I'D
France. One jourral twits England with feel
ing a philanthropic horror ut small French coli
onizatIons, of wh,cli she is commercially jca-
ous. willie sezing every opportunity To enlarge
her own empire; and another sarcastica!ly
remarks that, of course, every English annex
alton is imputed by pous or commercial virtue,
Manchester cottons and Sheffield pocket
knives having mysterious sancIity, whereas
every French extension Of territory Is viewed
a. abpormally wicked. The English Radicals
have not waited for the stings OF French satire
before protesting against what Trey denounce
as colonial flihustering 10 the Son'b Seas.
They regard the supposition that the Governor
of Queensland "by sudden imperiaiistic in-
pulse" seized upon New-Guinea as simply
incredible, and insist that colony has no right
to make other colonies, especially when the
new territories ale of vast extent and the con-
seonences of annexation are very serious. They
.auut the Government with showing lack of
courage in throwing the responsibility at tlis
new acquisition of territory upon the colonial
officials. The Radicals, il must he admitted,
are wholly in tile right when they assume that
the distinction between Colonial Imperialism
aud British Imperialism will moi be appreciated
by foreign critics in France or elsewhere. Nor
does the world have either the patience or the
leisure to discriminate between French I'LL
clustering and English filibnsternG.
French restlessness, meanwhile, liz evinced
simultaneously i'll Madaga.ca TonquiD, aud on
the Congo. The intrsues with the native Tribes
who are hostile to the Hoyas have been followed
by military and naval preparations and the
landing Of arms and ammunition fol the savage
alnes who are expected to fight in behalf ot the
French protectorate. An expedition has a 80
been sent out to Tonquin, but "A the aggressive
operatious already carried on IN that quarter
have excited the resentment of the Chinese
Government the preparations which hive been
made seem ludicrOusy inadequate. Ii is not tn
be hastily assumed that the ancient Kingdom
| will declare war upon the French Republic,
which in its greedy effort to extend its colonial
possessions is aliebating tho sovereignty of n
| feudatory State But the French officials seem
| to be neglecting the cOmm0nest diplomatic
precautions, and may find themselves con-
fronted with Chinese army before they see the
end of their present adventure. On the lower
Congo the arbitrary proceedings OF DE Brazza
may have already involved bloodshcd and men
uced the peaceful progress of Stanley. The ex-
tension of French influence in these three in
stances Is not to be defended on moral grounds.
But while this il true, English critics may as
well hold their peace. In North Borneo. New
| Guinea, Sierra Leone and Egypt British activity
is as conspicuous as French restlessness Is
elsewhere