New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-23
THE AFRICAN MYSTERY.

Inc mystery encompaSSing the late oil Inc
Stanley expedition increases in density. The
murder of Major Bartteot and the death Of
Professor Jameson not only involve the aban-
donment of the two relief parties organized in
the Congo Valley, but also betoken treachery
on the part of Tippoo lib, whose good faith
is essential to the success of any movement for
reinforcing the Stanley column from that quar-
ter. The latest information from Stanley Falls
indicates that no further efforts will be made
to send an expedition in the track of the eX-
plOrer Meanwhile, Captain Van Gele has ap-
peared in the field as claimant for identified
ton with the "White Pacha." He was on the
southern edge of the Bahr- el-G hazel district at
the opening of the year. and had one or two
skirmishes with the natives He conjectures
that exaggerated reports Of his march may have
given rise to the tales carried down the White
Nile to Khartoum. While this explanation is
plausible one it seems inadequate to account
for the excitement caused in that region by the
appearance of the White Pacha with his Mann
Man warriors. The Khartoum rumors, more
over, point to operations in that quarter at a
later date than Captain Van Geles skurmishes
While difficulties are in the way of every the
DRY respecting the identity of that mysterious
parsonage there are still strong grounds for
hope that Stanley emerged from the NAM
Nam country early in the spring and is now
with Emin.
The eminent geographers who have dis
cussed this subject at the meeting of the Brit
ISL Association this month differed widely in
their explanations of the delay in the receipt
of authentic news from Stanley, but united in
the opinion that he has not persisted. Sir
Francis de Winton declined to entertain ap-
prehensons respecting his fate in the evidence
of definite tidngs from Emin bearing as late
date as February. The Rev. John Mackenzie
Sir Charles Wilson and Professor Ravenstein,
all experts in matters relating to the Dark Con-
tinent gave qualified support to this view.
They could not agree however, upon any hy-
potheSis respecting the White Pacha Sir
Francis de WintOn evidently believes that he
is a distorted creation Of native imagination.
Similar views prevail in Berlin and Vienna, |
where preparations are making for organizing |
expeditions for the rescue of Emin by the Zanzi-
bar route. OF these projects the German ex- |
petition under the command of Lieutenant |
Wissman seems likely to receive sufficient
weeks. An African Lakes Company for the
extension of German possessions from the main
land Of Zanzibar in the direction of Lake
Tanganyika is already organized in connection
with this movement.
Whatever may be the fate of the gallant and
intrepid explorers Stanley and Emin, it is
evident that their sufferings and heroism will
have served the useful purpose of directing the
attention of ChriStendom to a benighted quar-
ter Of the world where important work needs
to be done in the interest of civilization
Equatorial Africa lies under the shadow of
terrible curse-the slave trade conducted by
and fanatical Mohammedans BY
combined effort on the part of two or three
Of the great Powers this infamous traffic by
which the most fertile districts of Africa are
iepOpulated and devastated can be broken up
Germany, which now stands on guard at Zanzi-
Jar, and Great Britain, which has recently ad-
'anced its frontier from Bechuana Land to the
lambesi and is under moral obligations to as
ume responsibility for the Nyassa and Tan
'anyika districts, can do much, if they will
ct in cooperation to effect this benefcent re-
ult. The reOccupation of Khartoum, which
hould never have been abandoned by the
'ladstone Administration, is only question of [
inc. A firm and wise administration in the
oudan in conjunction with vigorous measures c
n Zanzibar and the lake region would restore {
eace in Africa 6