New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-02
AMERICANS IN AFRICA.
AGENTS OF THE CONGO STATE-TTE CONGO
RAILROAD-SWEDISH EXPLORERS

The industrial development Of the Congo Free
State is just now being pushed with great vlgor,
and several new and striking lines of operation
are being opened up. OF these one of the most
interesting is the determination Of the Belgian Com
mercial Companies which largely control the trade
Of that region, to employ American citizens of Afri
can descent in their offices there. This plan was
preached as long ago as in 1884 by Colonel George
w. Williams, of Worcester Massachusetts,, who at
that time was actively aiding King Leopold III
his African enterprise. The idea then was to
employ large force of American negroes to go 10
Africa as ordinary laborers, to open up roads,
build trading stations, etc. The King was favor
ably impressed by this scheme and so was Mr.
Stanley 10 whom il was referred for considerations
For various reasons, however, it was found mex
pedient TO put into execution at that time. 10
has recently been revived in a different form, and
is TO be carried ont at once. Captain Albert
Thys the chief administrative agent of the com
mercial companies, is really enthusiastic over 1t.
Colonel Williams made a detailed PROPOSE
tion,' says Captain Thys TO the effect that the
services of educated American negroes should be
sought for our Offices In the Congo country. lie
urged that they would more readily become
accimated than Europeans, and that their pres
encc and example would. moreover, have good
effect upon the natives. The companies, after
cdIclul CoHblutIhtiOi, uuauiHouoiy ""oP'N~ 49,
plan, and requested him TO engage for them twelve
clerks and twelve engineers and skilled mechanics
For this purpose Colonel Williams visited America
O few weeks ago. We hoped that he would bring
the men back with him. But he returned alone,
and reported that il would be desirable to delay
matters a little. lie suggested that call for
recruits should be sent TO the chief Industrial
schools of the Southern United States. All candi-
dates who entered the competition for engage
ments should now begin special studies, especially
French African geography, etc. In June neNt
they should he examined by committee OF
teachers. and the required number should thch
be selected and engaged from among the most
proficient. This system. lie urged would give
us the services of the best men, especially pre-
pared for work
"Sincc the return Of Colonel Williams the
companies have carefully considered this plan'
and have now adopted it in every detail, exactly
as il was laid before them. Word to this effect
has been sent TO the heads Of the various schools
of America, in order that their pupils may at once
begin the special course Of study in preparation
for the examinations next June. BY next fall
We hope to have from twenty 10 thirty American
negroes actively administering the affairs OF the
commercial companies in Africa. Colonel Will
Jams has himself gone directly on 20 Africa, sail
ing from England for the Congo on January 20.
lie will spend some time there visiting all parts
OF the Free State"
Work is reported 70 he making satisfactory
progress on the Congo railroad. This enterprise
was. it Will be remembered, undertaken In Feb
ruary $50, by the Compagnie du Congo pour e
Commerce ct rlndustrie," and in May and June
Of that year two bodies Of engineers were sent to
begin operations. number Of lloussas from the
Gold Coast engaged for the mechanical
work, and the whole We're divided into gangs
each with its special work TO do. following each
other along the route The work went on
speedily and the final observation was taken
at Stanley Pool in November. 1883. After the
completion Of various minor operations. the COM
pany were able TO draw up cheir report. which
has recently been issued In French and English.
New vigor has been impaired 10 the work during
the last few months by considerable accession
OF American capital. The railroad Is 70 extend
from little below Vivi, up 10 which large vessels
may be taken past the long series OF cat"racts
10 Stanley Pool, distance Of about 2I5 miles.
On leaving Viyi il bends away from the congo
10 the southeast and keeps at distance OF several
M les from the river until II approaches Stanley
Pool. The first sixteen miles OF the route VIII
doubtless be attended with considerable difficulty.
while the remainder OF tie line viii be laid under
exceptionally easy conditions. 1t is only IN the
rockcutling and entertainments, and the expense
Of coustr uctien in this part is estimated at more
than 81 < 900 per mile for carthworks. while those
on tie remainder Of the line viii cost less than
81 800 per mile. la addition 10 tins. there VIII
De the cost Of erecting uquelucis, bulldIhS D"Sca
etc all OF which VIII, Ol course, be much greater
/ IL the first few miles than subsequently. IN INC
first few miles, also, there are few steep lhches'
but for the rest Of the route tie lHcllres are
reported 10 lie Insignificant. there are only 'hl,'
bridges of much s!M-oeross the Mkcssc' Inc
NpOZO. and the hwlu-Iai8MS from -1p l''t 20
$40 feet; half dozen others from lJy J." w
feet; with number much smaler Certainty,
iudprQ from the reports Of the surveys, The:
engineering dincultlc, IN the construction 81 thc
proposed railroad are insignificant one OF
/ tine chief considerations will be tie climate
The route is situated within the rinicst region
Of Africa, and, unless special precautions are
taken. the road, especially IN the hrst scciioi
VIII be liable TO he swept away HE ROAD Is w.
he built on the nnTfOw-gaugc system, ana VIII
he supplied with thirty ton engines. each capable
/ Of pulling fifty tons eleven miles an hour. Ihis
will it is thought, he sufficient to handle all
freight for some time - come. But, as this road
VIII be the outlet for the commerce Of over 1000
miles Of rivers, il is evident that much stronger
trunk line will some day hc needed
Mr. Nils Johann Iachrissen Is rapidly recover
inp from q La Grippe" which has laid him low
for "A few weeks and Is soon TO renew his woik
ON the Swedish expedition ~ the African lakes.
lie is now i'm Hamburg He has made contracts
with 90 Swedish artisans, who have hound them
selves to accompany him on the expedition, Whlch
is to start from Hamburg or London early IN
May next. Each Of these workinen has deposited
a snn Of 81 40 in case of "a return home being
| ncccssitatcd by i'll health before the expiration
of the three years service for which he has been
engaged No pay accrues 10 these men, they be-
ing aotuated by the same motives rs their leader.
| ,vboee aim il to proceed from Mozambique TO the
northeast Of Lake Taganyika. IN the neighbour
hood OF Ujiji and thence to The Victoria Nyanza,
O. s.rins ~ stations ms "A means Of snpprcssing the
slave trade thcrcabonts. About i,3oo h'tvs
carriers will be required, some Of whom, trained
~, 40 mao of arms will be left under the command
~ i 90 oiolit Europeans at each station. These
.t.snos are 70 be placed III state Of Defence as
one of their uses is to permit the surrounding
, ,i"os ,"oaa Missionary work is 20 be- pursued
~, Zach station, which will be eventually de-
veoped into tadng cenc ana ro ,@" for tine re-
ginning form part Of prolcc'iNc 'T" n Sd, 200