Smyrna times., 1891-01-07
Development of South Africa.

Ifthe future Africa is to be measured
by the enthusiasm of it's explorers,
and the extent of the schemes of cOlOni-
zation that are already in active prog
ress, or in process of formation, its ma
terial development will be of the most
wonderful character. 1t may, howev-
er, be noted, that while military expe-
ditiOns are penetrating the interior and
making treaties with native chiefs,
quiet and peaceable, but effective ne
gotiations are being completed by
individuals in a portion of the conti-
nent of which little has lately been
heard. Attention was recently called
to some wonderful ruins which had
been discovered in Matabeland and
Mashonaland, in South Africa, and
much speculation has been INDUCED in
by arch9olOgists in regard to their Ori-
gin. Old legends about King Solomon
and the Queen of Sheba have been re-
vived and an attempt made to throw
a glamour of romance around these
mysterious buildings. Mr.. E. A.
Maund, before the London Geographic
cal society, in a paper recently read by
him, claimed that these ruins were
built for the smelling and possibly for
the protection and storage of gold and
other metals. The investigation that
v i'll be made by competent arch@olO-
gists, will doubtless clear up some of
the disputed points, but it has at last
been settled that the country over
which these buildings are so widely
scattered is not only unusually rich in
mineral deposits, but is the most prom
ising district for colonization in South
Africa
Mr.. Maund, who is in the service of
tie British South African Company,
which is exploring the region in ques-
ton, says that compared with the
country south of it, Matabeland is like
Canaan after the wilderness. 1t is gem
orally healthy, and rich in gold, cop
per and iron. Its numerous rivers are
either running or have plenty of wa
ter in th9m. The soil is fertile, and
admirably adapted for corn, cattle
thrive, and there is an abundance of
grass and wood. White children could
be reared in the country, which is a
sine qnG non if it is to be successfully
colonized by white men, and above all,
it is sparsely populated.
King LObenguela, was at first doubt
tul about trusting to the promises made
to him by the English explorers, but
he consented to send two ENJOYS to
England to ascertain whether the
white queen still lived The story that
they told on their return, was of such
a glowing character that the pioneers
were allowed to occupy the country
and proceed with their explorations
The country that is about to be opened
up for colonization, is an extensive
plateau on the water-parting between
the Zambesi and Crocodile rivers, the
climate being far more healthy than
the now well-cOlonized sea-board of
South Africa. The soil all along the
rich valleys is fertile, and large crop:
of Indian corn, pumpkins, sweet poto
toes, tobacco, and even potatoes and
tomatoes are raised by the natives. Il
is, however, to the mineral riches of the
country that the explorers are looking
for its quick development, and predic
tiOns are freely made that the golC
gold alone will create a rnsh of immi
grafton only equaled by the flow o
humanity in the development of Cali
ifornia and the Western states of Amer
lea. Free gold has already been found
and old workings are visible. Tht
colony is to be tapped from the Eas
coast and transportation will thus be
rendered easy. There seems to be nj
end to the possibilities of African ex
ploration, and if results shall alwayi
be achieved as peacefully as they havl
been in Matabeland, there will be les
reproach cast upon civilizations meth
ed of acquisition.-Press.