The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-16
BISMARCK KEPT BUSY.
HE SEEMS TO BE VERY NERVOUS
AND MUCH ANNOYED.
he Speaks Nine Times in the Reichstag
and 1t Looks Like He Were Endeavor-
ing to Conciliate Great Britain in the
African Schemes.

terviews with the Emperor, and has re.
ceived Prince Solius Somewhat, who re-
Gently arrived here, and who was men,
toned by Maj. Won Deinez as being
present when Bazaine asserted that he
had received Morier's dispatch regarding
the crossing Of the Moselle by German
troops. The Chancellor also presided at a
council of ministers.
Today's meeting II the Reichstag was
awaited with the keenest interest. The
house was crowded. The committee pro-
posed that all the foreign Offices esti-
mates be passed without amendment. On
the clause dealing with the salaries of
Nohsen, and other Zanzibar officials,
amounting TO 70, 600 marks, Herr Richter,
after remarking that the East African
Companys officials were mostly blamable
for the troubles in Africa, said
"Her Vohsen must also be held
responsible. When, in behalf OF the COM
pany, he concluded the treaty with the Sui.
tan, Vohsen must have well known that the
company was absolutely incapable OF full
filling the treaty obligations and had not
|
TO assume sovereign rights and customs
authority over the large territory. Vohsen
himself admits that the company was
little prepared, and yet he concluded the
fatal treaty"
Herr Prince Bismarck entered the cham
Der. After a short reply from the reporter
to the effect that the committee approved
| the items, the Chancellor pointed out that
the increase OF business and the possibility
OF illness appeared TO make necessary the
appointment OF vice-consul.
Herr Won Benigsen protested that no
extended debate had occurred The item
had been accepted owing TO Count Her
berts confidential communication.
| Here Richter's motion TO strike ,out the
clause was rejected, and the clause wal
adopted.
On the clause which provides for the
Cameroons salaries. Herr Woermann COM
| planned that the privilege 10 the British
Niger Company TO raise import and export
duties would enable II 10 push aside any
other company desiring to trade in those
regions. The British statement was that
the company desiring 10 trade in these
regions paid duties. but il was clear the
company pockcted the duties. This state
of affairs especially endangered Germany's
10 per cent. share Of the trade OF Lagos.
The foreign Office will do well TO see that
| British privileges are not further extended.
| Prince Bismarck replied that he would
be glad could Herr Woermann induce an
English member 10 deliver the same
speech in the English Parliament. IL be-
| lieve," hc said, that very many British in
tercsts go hand in hand and sympatize with
interests like ours, which suffer from the
conduct OF the Colonial authorities and the
Niger Company. The Foreign Office, how
ever, lacks substantial handle 10 interfere
with the international affairs OF the En-
glish Colonial administration OF legislation.
We sought 10 divide our spheres OF inter
est by treaties and by the exchange Of
notes, both in the direction OF the Came
rooms and Southwest Africa. To adhere
| to these theoretical lines is difficult in
itself. "a the recent occurrences in South
west Africa prove. The control Of
government over the action OF its sub
jccts in those regions is not always 30
easy as We are accustomed 10 find il in the
orderly state organization OF this continent,
but we possess no treaty in justification for
addressing n specific demand 30 the British
Government. The English Ministry acts
in regard 10 the Niger Company and the
trade Of that district in accordance with its
own parliamentary and economic interests
Should We attempt 10 interfere In this
domestic affair we should thereby lay our
selves open 10 a claim for n certain rccipro-
cal accommoda,ngness which might be
detrimental 10 our own independent com
mcrcial action for several years. The
foreign Office has had occasion TO direct
the attention of England 10 the proceed
ings Of the Niger Company, which have
been hard 10 reconcile with the Otherwise
liberal principles Of the English COM
mcrcial policy"
The correspondence on the subject, he
said, had not altogether stopped, and, at
the instance Of Herr Noermann, he would
gladly take the opportunity TO renew Il.
Count Herbert Bismarck. following tho
Chancellor, said: Tho difficulty which
England also experienced N that the Niger
Company hns hitherto contested the truth
OF all statements OF German and English
settlers. We, therefore, consider II advis-
able 10 send an expert official 10 Lagos in
order 10 obtain official information with
which TO support a complaint To England,
! provided the complaint proved 10 bc ius-
tifed. We believe that England intends
To send an official for the same purpose.
! Judging by the friendly attitude which the
English Government has always hitherto
| displayed toward Us In all colonial ncgo-
tiations, IL may be assumed that ~ soon ~
| We have official information on both sides
We shall arrive nj satisfactory settlement.
! tChcers.l
In reply 10 Herr Richter's question
whether the slave trade or slavery cx sicd
nov In West African territory under fGor-
| man protcction tho Chancelior said that
| slavery, which had existed for thousands
oi years, could not be abolished all at once.
| IL would bc very serious matter 10 aban-
| don slave labor without further sieps.
| National interests would be greatly endan.
gcrcd by such course, aud foreign coun.
tries would DO turned against Germany.
IL WIS impossible that this could DO Herr
Richicrs aim. although his organs patron.
izod everything likcly 10 cause difficulties
aud imbroglious Tor the Fatherland.
In conclusion he declared that his only
object in speaking ON the subject was 10
raise a barrier between Herr wocrmann
and that portion Of the press which had
no Fathorland and was inimical TO Ger
| many.
Herr KardoG said that Germany must
not allow herself 10 be daunied u she as
pircd 10 have n say In the world. Other
nations spent much moro In trans oceanic
interests.
Her Woormann, rcsuming, said that
! Herr Richior's uitorances showed COM
! ploto ignorance oil the state OF Affairs.
! There existed In the German colonies high
duties ON brandy and strict prohibition
OF Tho importation Of arms 10y barter or
trade. The Hamburg merchants by no