The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-07-13
The Germans In EAST Africa.

The exploits of the Germans on the East
Coast of Africa and the Importance attached
In Europe to those obscure engagements call
attention to the scramble for Africa that is
now at its height. The great continent of
Africa comprises eleven million square miles,
of desert, forest, lake and fertile tablelands.
or that immense area all but four and half
million square miles are attached to or under
the influence of some European power. And
even of this remnant full half is comprised
in the Desert Of Sahara, leaving only two
and quarter million square miles unappro-
priated. In this area is included Morocco,
Tripol to which Italy is looking, Ahyssinia'
on which also the italian has had an eye, the
great fertile plateauS around Albert Nyanza,
and some smaller strips on the East and
West coasts England, Germany and
France have led in the gobbling up of Africa.
but Portugal, Italy and Spain have also
taken shares more or HISS extensive On the
West Coast, England, Germany and France
have large possessions, many of them recent
ly acquired but more of them as yet fruitful
OF serious complications. 1t is on the East
Coast, In the region to the North and South
OF Ztnzibar that the most trouble has come
There Germany aud England are in
measure rivals, and there the Germans have
shown the greatest activity. Germany did
not begin her colonial, or land grabbing
career, until five years ago. yet she has
improved the time SO well that she holds
sway over an area quite equal to that domi-
mated by France. The Germans certainly
have 100000 square miles of African terri
tory, and IL the enormous slice of East
Africa claimed by various German traders
be admitted, another 100000 square miles
would be added. A large amount of this
great area is on the West Coast, in the Cam
eroons region, but the most important portion
Is on the East Coast in the region Of Fan.
zibar. Here Germany's interests are very
great, and it Is here that she is having her
present trouble. In 1884 an expedition
under the leadership of DIR. Peters acquired
by treaties with native rulers the territories
of U>ogara, Ngura, Usrguha, aud Ukami,
lying just inside the coast opposite Zanzibar,
and watered by the river Wam. This year
ais the headquarters of the German East
Africa Company were established in Zanzi-
bar. Having gained foothold the Germans
by several expeditions have annexed territory
dlbcI tttTiIOTy, anu erected tnelr trading Sta-
tions all along the coast and some distance
back In the interior. This has been done by
the private enterprise of the East Africa
Company, but under governmental patron
age. The Germans have endeavored, in their
way, to introduce civilization and industry
into the country; but have not succeeded in
recommending themselves to native favor
The distrust of the natives eliminated
about year ago In disastrous outbreak,
which is paralyzing German trade and re-
curing the Interference of the imperial fleet
The entire trade of the Zanzibar region did
not, previous to the German occupation ex-
coed ten million dollars yearly. and their tu-
multuous administration cannot have in
creased IL much. Another bad effect of the
ho>tilities Is the di.trust it begets in the
minds of the natives of all Europeans.
Bishop Huntington, the famous English
mi ssionary, was made martyr on ibis ac-
count largely, and other mission reS are
now suffering Inconvenience and peril on
the same account The relief of Emin
Pasha has also been complicated greatl- by
these hOStliteS