The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-31
DIVIDING AFRICA.
THE EUROPEAN CRAZE FOR CoLoNI-
EATON IN THE DARK CONTINENT.
The Empires in Extent Annexed by Eng.
land. France and Germany--A New
Outlet for the Capital and the Indus
trial Energies Of the Civilized Nations.

+'i' W
American Colonization Society gives to the
ninth annual paper on Africa, containing
some very interesting statements about
that country to date. The eagerness
which the great powers Of Europe show to
possess themselves Of the territory Of "The
Dark Continent amounts TO what has
been not inaplly termed "a scramble for
Africa" Not more than four and half
millions of square miles OF A frica remain
unattached to some European power. OF
the unattached portions more than half lie
within the desert of Sahara, and the
French haye been considering railroad
across the desert itself, though the project
had to be temporarily dropped. France
has about 700, 900 square miles Of African
territory; Germany, 100000 square miles
and 100000 miles in dispute. England's
possessions and sphere OF influence, not
including Egypt, are set down at 900, 900
square miles. France has already acquired
territory very rapidly in the northwestern
portion OF Central Africa, and hasconcluded
an arrangement for uniform customs sys-
TEN with Germany. Italy has brought or
is about TO bring the campaign in Abyssi-
mia to satisfactory ending. The British
East African Company is practically
another State which has been created.
The company has full powers from Great
Britain to levy customs and taxes, and to
maintain an armed force and assert author
| ity throughout vast area. The new State
extends northward from the region claimed
- A -,
near Zanzibar, to the Somali country and
westward to the Lake Albert Nyanza.
Within this wide range is much of the
finest land in Central Africa, and in many
places IL is said 10 DO filed with industrious
populations. Around the shores OF the
Victoria NyanZa alone there are said to be
100000 people. The company. man
aging the new State is composed of COM
mercal and philanth-opic men in London,
whose executive acts will be subject TO
revision and control by tho Colonial or
Foreign office. The German company is
also largely acquiring control OF territory,
| developing commerce, and making Ger
man influence felt.
Exploration, which was heretofore OF a
general and desultory character, or for the
settlement OF some specific geographical
problem, is now directed Systematically
toward getting ut details and calling for
the services in these lines OF research OF
many individuals, who are going and re.
turning all the time. DIR. krause, one OF
these explorers, IL said TO have brought
home with him new fever remedy,
which he declares to have proved eiiica-
cious when quinine failed. Some OF the
explorers give their attention 10 expert
monts in planting and ascefiaining details
which are interesting and profitable TO
commercial and other business classes.
The officers Of the Congo Free state are
continuing their explorations OF the upper
valley, and find that the products are rich
and varied beyond the highest cNpecta-
tons. Engineers have decided that the
proposed railroad past the Livingstone
Fails Is not only possible, but easy. The
construction Of this railroad will mark new
era in the development Of Central Africa.
Fleets Of steamers can then find full en-
ploymcnt ON the Upper Congo and lis
branches In bringing 10 Stanley Pool the
rubber, gums, spices, ivory and agricul
tuml products OF the valley, which are
wanted By the civilized world. and some
Il which arc now obtainablo only in linn
tied quantities. A large loan is being no.
gotiaiod in Brussels for the Congo Free
State. A wealthy German plantation
company has Just increased lis capital TO
five times the original amount British,
French, German, Belgian and Portuguese
enterprises are thoroughly aud systematic
ally laying foundations which cannot iail
to pour riches into those countries. On
the German plantations in East Africa,
twenty miles from the coast, the natives
are ndyanlngcously worked on contract in
large numbers. raising tobacco, coffee, In
digo and other products. German manu-.
features hardware, stuils for clothing and
other articles are finding their way into
the country In large quantities, where they
arc sold proitably nj figures considerably
lower than the quotations In Cape Town.
A company has been formed In Berlin 10
explore aud work In the Southwest African
gold fields. where Il is thought diamonds
may 10 found. From the opening Of
the diamond fields Of South Africa,
In 1919, 10 the present, not less than
100000 sterling value Of gems have
been eNpOrtcd-all In the lirst Instance to
England Hut the diamond wealth Of the
country is the least item Of the abundant
riches which invite civilized people 10 20
there and help themselves. Though Ger
many u making great progress proceed
ing slowly but surcly-its commerce with
Africa u insignificant, compared with that
OF Great Britain and France. British trade
with the country Is estimated to DO worth
si25, coo, 600 annually that OF France $780,
OOO, 900. During the year 1857 the prices
In Europe Of leading African products
were lower than the previous twelve
months, but production aud trade ~
manned still abundanily profitable, though
IN some cases both these interests were
depressed temporarily.
la the work OF development railroads
aud tslcgraphs are beginning to play an
important part, not only in Cape Colony,
/ Natal aud the Orange Frco State, but In
/ other aud frcsher regions whore European
enterprise has secured ioothold. The
requirements OF native production and for.
oigu commerce are giving employment to
| additional steamships and rapidly forming
river and ocean transportation lines. Two
] considerations disturb the philanthropic
mind In connection with the advances
which are being made from 20 many
quarters toward African civilization.
| These are the liquor traffic and the Arab
slave traders II Is believed. however,
that the suppression Of the horrors Of en-.
slayemcnt may be more readily achieved
than that Of the liquor traffic, though CT
for, rs being freely expended In both dircc'
/ tons.
In connection with the subject Of coli
! onization, Nj. Coppinevr makes the inter
csiing statement that since the complete
cnimnchiscmcnt Of the negroes In the
South American empire Of Brazil q steady
current Of "uneoniaminaicd brazilian
negroes y setting toward Tho iathef-
land, and that many Of tho ''cxpairi.