Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-01-06


HOsTILITIEs in Africa, on the east side,
are reported as having commenced between
the Portuguese and the English residents
and the few British troops in the Makololo
country. The outcome of such struggle
can be forecast with precision by any one;
the British will make the Portuguese pay
dearly for their temerity. 1t may result
also in the overthrow of the monarchy in
Portugal, since the republican societies are
in bitter antagonism to the recent African
policy of the Government, and are now so
strong as to occasion the Crown great I'M
easiness. The difficulty between England
and Portugal concerning the Delagoa Bay
affair and the concessions asked from
Portugal by England, are not easily ex-
planned, nor in fact have they been clearly
stated to the general public. In brief it
may be said, however, that the building of
the Delagoa Railway, constructed with
English and American capital and under
the protectorate of the British flag, and
through Portuguese territory inland to
British possessions, was not, according to
the claims of Portugal officials in Africa,
in accordance with the terms of the con-
cessions permitting the construction. The
Builders, on the other hand, hold that they
were delayed and impeded in their work
by the Portuguese, and hence could not
build within the time limited nor strictly
as conditioned. They insist, also, that
even if they had departed from their con-
tract it would not have justified the Portu-
guese authorities in interrupting the
operation of any part of the road or pro-
hibiting further work upon it. In addi-
ton to the involved question concerning
the railroad, there is an issue concerning
boundaries and concessions, jurisdiction
and the rights of the British residents in
the territory claimed by England and like
wise contended for by the Portuguese.
Portugal some days ago, through her
Minister at the English court, admitted
that the Portuguese officials had acted
hastily, and with undue severity, and dis
position to recall Major Pinto and rebuke
him was shown. Lord Salisbury had a
very pacific interview with the Portuguese
plenipotentiary, and the dispatches of Sat
urday announced that an amicable under
standing would be arrived at. Now, how
ever, the advices are that Portuguese have
proceeded to the seizure of some of the
Missionary and Lakes Trading Company's
steamers ON Lake Nyassa and that con-
flict at arms was imminent, if it had not
indeed already taken place. Last June
Major Pinto was sent out to the Portu-
guese possessions in a gunboat. He was to
ascend the river Shire and make an expe-
dition on Lake Nyassa. The American
Consul notified our Government that if he
attempted it the Makololo people, a savage
tribe, but on good terms with the English
and the Germans, would resist his APP
proaches. He went on, was resisted, and
his being the stronger party the natives
were severely punished. This immedi-
ately put all English and German interests
in that section in peril, and the trade the
English and the Germans had built up
was paralyzed. The African Lakes Com
pany complained to the English Govern
ment, which protested, and wordy dlplo-
matte war broke out, in which the whole
question Of jurisdiction, concessions for the
railway, the alleged violations and forfeit
ure of the railroad contract became in
volyed. Just what is the present status of
these questions it will not be possible to
say until official statements are made If,
however, the latest dispatches are we'll
founded, the fear may be entertained that
a conflict of arms will take place, in which
case, of course, Portugal will be unable to
maintain her position. AT the same time,
this conflict may be very brief and be con-
fined to the region indicated, for the dis
position of England at all times of recent
years has been to avoid wars and to settle
all difficulties with other civilized nations
by diplomacy or arbitration. But it is
unlikely that she will do either in this
case until the statue quo is restored and
the seizures made are returned.