The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-07
THE GAME IN AFRICA.


The game that is in progress with the
powers Of Europe as players and the con-
tinent of Africa as the stake is in many
respects similar to the game which was
played two centuries ago with North Amer
ica as the stake. The method of playing
has changed. Diplomacy is resorted to
more frequently and war less frequently
than in the former con test. The players
have changed. England and France are
still contestants, but Germany has taken
the place of Spain, while Portugal and
Belgium bear about the same relation to
the African game as Holland and Sweden
bore to the American game. In spite Of
these changes, however. the game is essen
TALLY the same. The object is still to find
convenient territory for the overlooking
millions of Europe. while each government
hopes to derive the greatest benefit from
the extension of civilization and to hold
the allegiance of its own subjects though
they seek distant homes. In short, each
power strives to secure the best and largest
portion Of Africa, just as each power strove
to secure the best and largest portion Of
North America.
The most important move in this game
with Africa for stake was the late agree
ment between Germany and Great Britain,
which in measure corresponds to the
partition of North America made by
France and England at the close of the
"old French war" The same utter disre-
gard of the rights Of the aborigines, as well
as the rights OF other nations, is shown
now as then. And now, as then, the
British government has decidedly the best
of the bargain. for it possesses not only its
share of the territory partitioned. but vast
territories in the north and in the south as
well. If test of physical strength be-
tween the German and the British colonies
in Africa should ever occur, therefore, il IS
safe to predict that the latter would be
found to be stronger.
If war for the control of Africa does
occur, however, it will be a grim one
That continent is the last to invite immi-
grafton from Europe. The Americas are
no longer new countries. They are con-
trolled by independent governments, and,
so far as the United States is concerned
unrestricted Immigration from Europe, or
from any other quarter. is no longer de-
sirable. Australia never was serious con.
testant in the race to secure the overflow
population OF civilization. Africa, there
fore. remains as the last available ground
for colonization on large scale, and the
nations will scheme and struggle to secure
it with the full consciousness that it is the
last great stake to be fought for.
At present the situation is both commit.
Gated and interesting. Germany and Great
Britain, cropping in the dark, partition be.
tween themselves an almost unknown in
terror. Portugal, which has as good a
claim to the interior of Africa as either of
the partitioners. looks on in powerless dis
may while her more powerful rivals disre.
gard her pretensions and deny her rights.
France is equally chagrined because
her claims are disregarded, but, firmly In.
trenched in Algeria. she is in an infinitely
better position than Portugal to make
contest for African possessions, and, sooner
or later, she will push her outposts south.
ward from the borders of Algeria far into
the desert OF Sahara, which, in the light of
modern advancement in engineering
science, is no longer formidable barrier To
the extension of civilization.
Belgium looks forward to the time when
the valley of the Congo. by some explorers
regarded as the most valuable part of Al
RIGA, shall pass into her possession. It is
clearly the intention of King Ieonold IN
make the Congo valley possession of Bel
GUM. and the greater powers have not
thus far deemed it wise to interfere with
his operations.
Most powerfully intrenched of all is
Great Britain, who assuredly holds every
advantage in the African game. In undis-.
puisd possession of Egypt. with powerful