Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-13
Anotber Anelo-C;erman Middle


II would seem that the claim of the
English Conservatives that SALISBURY
was especially well qualified to bring
about and maintain friendly relations
between England and Germany sabout
to be put to severe test. A contro-
yersy has arisen between England
and Germany, growing out Of
the colonization policy of the last
named Power, that threatens serious
complications, and has led to a request
from the Sultan of Zanzibar for Eng
lish protection. For some time Ger
many has been strengthening her grip
upon Africa in manner that has caused
alarm in England. The question at is
sue in the present instance concerns,
primarily, the status of the Sultan Of
Vitu, whose territory is on the coast in
the extreme north Of Zanzibar. Ac-
cording to recent traveller, Vitu is a
strip of country not more than twenty
five miles long by ten wide, and the
Sultan is nothing more than slave
trader, whose authority is acknow-
lodged by few petty chiefs. The Sui
tan of Zanzibar claims suzcrainty over
the sc-called Sultan Of Vitu, but Ger
many, who has had relations with the
last-named potentate, insists that he is
an independent sovereign. The single
question Of the status Of the Sultan of
yitu might be settled without diff
Guilty, as on the maps of the German
Foreign Office Vitu is set down as a
part Of Zanzibar. But Germany raises
other questions which excite suspicion
that BISMARCK has determined to take
advantage Of England's trouble with
Russia to acquire new territorial and
commercial interests in Africa. Ger
many also insists that the Sultan Of
Zanzibar is pushing further to
the west and towards the lake
regions than is legitimate, and is
infringing upon German territory in the
north and west. If BISMARCK can
succeed in stirring up strife in Zanzibar
that will justify Germany in fitting out
an expedition against the Sultan,
the position Of SALISBURY will not be
an engiable one. The English sympa-
thize strongly with Zanzibar, and
it is natural that they should
Both English prestige and English
commercial interests demand that tn,
Sultan be protected. SEyyID BURG,
HASH is, in fact, the protege of Eng
land. He was put upon the throne BY
England. lie owes his wealth and in
fiuence and what Of civilization his sub
jects enjoy TO her. Bat that is not all
England has for years guaranteed the
integrity of his dominion. There
are, at the lowest calculation
twenty thousand Englishmen scattered
through the country, and England.
erade with the island Of Zanzibar alone
amounts to over 100000 a year.
Thus il will be seen that both Eng.
lands honor and highlands pocket are
involved in the settlement Of the con.
troversy. There are not more than a
hundred Germans in the whole coun-
try, but IL Germany can weaken Eng
lish influence in Zanzibar and offset
Italian and French influence on the coast
further north, she will be in position
TO make tremendous strides in the mat
ter of colonization. If Germany con-
tinues to press matters, SALISBURY,
II would appear, will be compelled 10
choose between making humiliating
concessions, in order 10 retain the
friendship Of Germany, which he seems
to vslue 30 much, or assuming per-
emptory tone that viii count against
Eaglanf when the crisis comes With
Russia. II, however. u Is . mistake .