The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-04-28
PROGRESS.
EUROPEAN OCCUPATION IN AFRICA.

EUROPEAN OCCUPATION IN AFRICA
The art of a~nnexing a continent,
which had it's first modern example in
the occupation of America by the
maritime nations of Europe, has de-
veloped remarkably within the present
century, if we may judge from the
rapidity with which same nations are
taking possession of Africa. The an
nexatiOn of this continent has pro-
crossed as far within twenty years as
that of America did within two cen
turtles. Twenty years ago, the cry Of
"Africa for the Africans" would have
had some warrant in fact. To-day,
"Africa for the Europeans" would
better indicate the situation, since fully
fve-sixths of the whole continent are
covered by European claims.
The districts thus annexed cover five
sixths of Africa, only about two mil
lion square miles remaining unappro-
priated, and this largely made up of
the Libyan Desert, which no one wants.
AS for the French Sahara, it is much
less a desert than is generally sup
posed. Water seems to be everywhere
present at no great depth, and an oasis
is easily formed by the boring Of an
artesian well. Hundreds of such fertile
spots have been made, and the French
engineers are still busy in this profit
able enterprise. AS regards the COM
| parative dimensions of these European
claims to African territory, it may be
briefly stated that England holds about
two million square miles, mostly good
territory; France about two and a half
millions, largely desert Germany about
one million, much of it of little value;
the Congo State one million, generally
available; Portugal half a million,
much of it excellent; and Italy about
one-third of a million, embracing prob
ably much good land.
If it now be asked, what steps are
being taken by European nations to-
wards the control of their African
possessions, it may be answered that
these claims as yet exist largely on
paper only,-the keep off" warning
of the watchdog, but that much is
being done to render them actual.
Steamers are now navigating the Fam
best and the Congo, fortified trading
posts exist along these rivers, and a
| railroad is being built from the mouth
of the Congo to it's navigable upper
reaches. A second railroad, to run
from Mombasa, in British East Africa,
to the Victoria Nyanza, was inau-
| gurated Angus 26, 1890. 1t will be
supplemented by steamers on Lakes
Victoria Nyanza, Tanganyika, and
Nyassa, and possibly by railroads be-
tween these lakes. A third and more
ambitious project is entertained by
France, that of building a railroad
from Algeria to Lake Tchad, across
two. thousand miles of desert. Aroute
has been selected for this road, which
is to start from Constantine and Biskra
in Algeria. 1t will, when built, doubt
less become the channel of an extern
sive commerce, from the old GASES and
the new ones that are being formed,
and from the Lake Tchad region of the
| Soudan.
These are but preliminary steps to-
wards the consolidation of the Euro
pean possessions in Africa. Others
will follow as necessity demands them,
and the next quarter of a century will
probably see the whole of Africa Gov
cred by European claims, the slave,
trade extinguished, and a great portion
of the Ozark Continent opened up to
trade and the influences of civilization,
with the possible beginning of an active
European colonization, and the replace
ment of the existing barbarian govern
ments by more enlightened and peace
full political conditions .-FrOno "Neu
Africa" by Charles Norris, IN April
Lippincott's.
c@TENTTTET