Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-08-18
SUNDAY. .........AUGUST Is. 1883


$780,
Prince BIsMARcKs declaration that tho
friendship Of England is worth more TO
Germany than all Germany could gam on
the upper Nile is very suggestive and may
forcshadow important movements IN the
direction of solving the African problem.
In the first place it would seem 70
indicate that there is good foundation
Cor the report that the visit Of En-
neror WILLIAM TO England resulted IN
an alliance between Germany and England
by which the latter gave formal adherence
70 the peace league. in tho second place,
ii would appear TO show that Germany Is
TO cease her irritating tactics in Southeast
Africa. If these views be correct 1t 10 pos
gible that England Will find herself foot
loose 70 undertake the inevitable closing
IN upon tho Dark Continent. Eng
lands two rivals in Southeast Africa
are Germany and Portugal. The former Is
not a success IA a colonizing Power and
The latter is acting the dog in the manGer.
Germany has formally recognized some OF
Portugal's territorial claims IN Africa, and
much of the arrogance towards the ing
fish that has been displayed by the
Portuguese is conceded to be due TO
she moral support BISMARCK has given
The little kingdom. Both Portugal and
Germany have recently interferedsoriously
with England's schemes OF expansion and
railroad development in South and East
Africa. If. however, BISMARCK should with
draw his support from Portugal and prove
the sincerity of his declaration by making
on the East African coast certain conces-
sions to England, it is very certain that
England would not let Portugal
stand longer in the way Of extending
British South African railways and OF
connecting the British South African ter
xitory now divided by Portuguese posses
sions. the title 70 which Is based upon
shadowy claims Of discoveries made in the
sixteenth century. Nor is it likely that
England would stop at this. Should BIS
aARcK's peace league prove so powerful as
20 afford assurance that Russia would not
resort to any overt act, and thus render 1t
safe for the British Government TO
undertake another Nile expedition,
there can hardly loo a question that the
British Taxpayers would demand the
building Of the Suakim-Berbcr railroad
and tho reconQuest and re0ccupation
of the Soudan. Indeed there can hardly
be question that the influence Of civiliza-
ton the world over woIld bo brought
to bear upon England in order to in
duce her to open up thoroughly a
road along which Christianity could march
in n crusade against African Paganism and
African Islam. Although some Of Eng
lands methods of colonization and an
nexation of territory are not altogether
commendable. the world recognizes that
abe Is the great pioneer Of civilization, and
that Of al The Powers she is best suited TO
blaze the way for the bearers of tho Cross
in such a country az Africa. The struggle
between the English and tho hahommodan
fanatics Of the Spudan is bound to come,
and by fastening the day Of its coming
BIsMARcK may rob it Of some of It's horrors.
The longer it is delayed the more confident
will the Mahdists and Dcryishes become,
and the greater viii be the slaughter that
will be inflicted upon them by the British
squares, and the greater the cost IN blood
and treasure to England.