Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1888-02-02
A NEW GERMAN COLONY.
Proposed Settlement Of . Vast Tract Of
Land In East Africa--Soii and Climate.

Proposed Settlement Of o Vast Tract Of
Land In East Africa--Soii and Climate.
The attempt now being made by Ger
many TO found colony In east Africa
viii be watched in this country with in
terest. Should II be attended with success
IL cannot fail TO have very marked effect
on the immigration Of German subjects
to America, while the United States no
less than other nations will share in the
benefits accruing TO the opening Of a new
market for western produce. The coun-
try handed over to Germany by the COM
mission appointed to delimit the territory
Of the sultan Of Zanzibar stretches from
the Osi river In the north to the Rovama
river In the south. This latter river also
forms the northern boundary Of the Port
uguese provinces of Mozambique. Its
eastern limit is defined by line drawn
ten miles inland FROM the Indian ocean
between these two points, and the port
Of pangani is ceded temporarily by the
sultan Of Zanzibar. On the west the new
German possessions are practically unde-
fined, save where they march with the
territory OF the Congo Free State as de-
fined by the conference Of Berlin.
II is not, OF course, proposed to attempt
the settlement Of this vast tract Of land
except by slow degrees. The first attempt
Is To be made in the Chaga country, which
lies to the north Of the port Of Mombassa,
and includes within its limits the noun
famous district of Kilimanjaro. This
country. Of which but little was known o
few years ago, has lately been thoroughly
explored by agents Of the German East
African association, and IT certainly ap-
pears from their reports to be admirably
adapted for successful colonization.
High rolling downs alternate with beau
tifully watered valleys, and the slopes of
the great mountain range are covered
with forests Of valuable timber right up
10 the snow line. The principal nat
ural products OF the district are india
rubber, ivory, beeswax, gum copal and
gum arabic, and Of timber, ebony, several
kinds OF rosewood and African teak. The
soil ia well adapted for the raising OF
grain crops, and, indeed, much Of it is al
ready under cultivation, Chaga having
been for years the chief recruiting ground
tor caravans trading between the Nyanza
and the east coast. Indian corn, millet,
dhurra and rice are all raised in consider
able quantities. Tobacco is grown In all
the villages, and in the low lying lands
cotton Of very good quality is raised.
Experiments are To he made with coffee,
cloves and tea, all Of which should do
well
The climate Of the plains is unhealthy
and likely to prove trying to white set
tiers, but on the hill slopes, at height Of
about $500 feet above the sea level, a
beautiful climate can be enjoyed. The
thermometer at this point rarely registers
more than 80 degs., and at night falls as
low as 60 degs. The rainy season com
mences in November and lasts till Febru-
airy, after which month but little rain
falls till the next rainy season commences.
Labor can be easily procured in the Chaga
district, as the natives are peaceably In
clined and accustomed TO agricultural pur-
suits. At first the German settlers may
experience difficulties with the Nasal
tribes, who iuhabit the country to the
northwest. These people are inveterate
marauders, but IL they are once taught
the lesson that the white man Is not to be
lightly interfered with they will doubtless
hetake themselves to other parts.-Phila-
delphia Times.