The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-07-04
The Scramble in Africa.

Inc aFldlty WIN which the European
nations are now grabbing for slices of
Africa demonstrates growing belief in
the future of the Dark Continent. Eng
land France, Germany, Italy, Belgium
and Portugal are all engaged in the strug-
gle The experience of Great Baitan with
India holds out the hope of profit for like
enterprise in Africa, and each nation is
trying to get just as large share as posi-
bic. England, of course, comes in for the
lions share. She is ruling Egypt and
Zanzibar and recently she has stretched
her authority up to the Zambesi, thus
possessing herself of a territory which, in
Guiding the Dutch Republics, now claim
ed by the British under the influx of set
tiers, is equal to five times the area Of
France. A British company claims pos
session of the upper valley of the Niger,
second is pretending to rule from
Mombassa to Lake Tanganyika, and a
third is about to possess itself of the
country stretching from the middle of
the Zambesi up to the corner of Lake
Tanganyika, a territory as large as Spain
and because of the elevated ground said
to be specially adapted to European set
Element Italy is trying to grab Abys-
sinia. France has invaded theWest Coast
and seized Bey Sherbro, in addition to
its possessions in Algeria, while the Ger
mans have issued new and revised maps
extending their claims in the South and
East so as to take in vast territory be-
tween BechuanaIand and the Zambesi
In fact, there does not seem to be much
of Africa left excepting the great Sahara
desert that is not claimed by some of
these European powers, and even the de-
sert is claimed by Turkey
There is no reason to regret this scram-
BILE. Africa, left to itself, will never shake
off the ignorance and superstition that
cause such a valuable territory to be use
less to civilization. But the rivalry of
European powers may civilize it and de-
velop it's vast resources. The natives are
capable of being made valuable aids in
this work, as is shown by the reports of
what Emin Pacha has accomplished
right in the heart of the continent. This
wide recognition of the vast possibilities
in store for that country is, in fact, a
source of qualification Railroads are be-
ing built, canals dug and rich mines
opened.
The Loando- Ambala Railroad, which
is being built by native labor, will do
considerable in developing the Congo
Free State, and another road is project
ed in which some Americans are interest
ed, that promises great results. This
road is to overcome the obstruction to
trade by the cataracts and rapids of the
Lower Congo. 1t will be 1854 miles long
and it is estimated that it can be built
for $5,000,000. With the aid of this road
and of the steamers nearly an entire CON
tinent almost wholly undeveloped, will
be opened up to the commerce of the
world. About 1900 miles of navigable
water courses can be utilized, running
through territory with 10000, 900 popu-
lation. This is a gigantic enterprise,
which if carried out can not fail to bene-
fit mankind and help rid Africa of the
cursed slave trade Several thousand
| Africans along the line of the proposed
road are now engaged as carriers, and
wonderful stories are told of their trans
formation from idle savages to fairly in
dustrious workmen. This would seem
to make it clear that they can be utilized
in other industrial enterprises. 1t will
be fortunate if this road is built, and an
impetus thus furnished to the develop
ment of the Dark Continent If all the
powers who are grabbing for territory
will aid in the work of civilization
Africa will perhaps before many years
have civilized governments of it's own.
In fact, some of the English coloaists are
now threatening to set up republic on
the Cape. We can only wish them sue
! cess. -Philadell0hia Press