New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-10-16
THE FRENCH IN AFRICA.
LIEUTENANT MIZON'S JOURNEY-INIERNA-
TIONAI. TRADE JEALOUSIES.
Paris, September 20.

Paris, September 20
Lieutenant Nixon sailed August 10 from
Pouilac, below Bordeaux. a new journey oil en-
ploraton into the last part OF Africa which still re-
mains comparatively unknown. Doubtless he VIII
renew the adventures which have made him so
much talked about during the last few weeks anu
in spite of Lord Aberdare he persists In asserting
that English trading companies are much more dan
gerous his peace OF mind aud bodily safety than
any number OF black potentatcs like the Sutans
OF Adamaua and Bornou, the lands OF his own prl-
vate discovery The pretty controversy winch
his account Of an undoubtedly difficult expedition
has stirred up will at least serve TO draw atten-
ton TO the fact that a new continent has been
opened TO the commercial competition Of Europe.
IL is no longer a question merely OF adventurous
exploration, as was the in the expeditions
Of Barth and Livingstone. and also OF Stanley
excepting. perhaps. his latest attempt at inter-
fering with the commercial enterprises OF Eniih
Pacha Such expeditions have made the name
and power of Europe familiar throughout 'ne
Dark Continent; and the missionaries, of'eh .he
6rst in the field when they have not quarrelled
overmuch among themselves. have disposed 'ne
heather heart 10 welcome fhe tralesman BUT IL
II commerce alone that puts civilization IN iupp
as il were. before the eyes Of the astonishca
savage. .,.
few figures will show how far the FRENCH
commercial instinct has been awakened IN re-
card 70 the possibilities Of African trade. l@loIe
Icavino Paris. Lieutenant NIXON received from
various manufacturers and business houses goous
IN the value of nearly half million francs
maker Of mirrors alone gave 5000 francs "or'i,
NJ his wares wherewith TO dazzle the eyes anu
IMAGINATION of the untutored African At pi-
deaux Yesterday another collection OF merchanoise
was waiting. sent through the Chamber OF 'o'h-
merce of that city All this is free contributor
20 be used at the Lioutenants discretion, ior "e
purposes of barter as gifts 10 the 'rloeS o'e
h,cb bc is crdeavoring to set up the French
,ro,o,tora.o Thus the explorer has retained 10
Tho ena the confidence Of his fellow-countrymen,
IN sn;te NJ nersstent attacks on his persoha
credit bv the entire English press Az 'he las'
moment NJ Edmond de Rothschild presented Nl'n
with a siin Of %, 900 francs, and the Comniiu,eo
~ French Africa had $4,000 more for him' i",
departmcnts Of the Ministry which are concerne.
with the colonies. the Society or 'ounie'''',
Geography and the Chamber OF Nommeloo ~
poris wore all officially represented at his DO
partnre from Paris. President Carno' h"' d" ,"',
received him for farewell conference whcn
was hut the close OF a series OF oinciai Ie'cs anu
receptions in his honor when "o"'o '"i" WV
head Of an ordinary man
There is grave reason for all TINS winch 'ne
English nopers have unwttinglv hit upon i'll their
,naers at the CONNIE, cial character OF ms %ieh-
t;6cr cxncdition. No one in his senses could TOT
a moment suppose that the present scramble a''er
all that is IN Ne had in Africa is purely the result
NJ DISTINGUISHED religious zeal and patriotism OF
that matter. patriotism, which has become announcer
word for the advancement Of the F0litlcal inter-
ests OF race and nationality. can he serve" !"
these African wilds only by opening them as new
issues TO European commerce THIS 1isuheuenc'
the presant rivalry Of England, France ana yer
many in the newly explored parts OF AFRICA rom 'ne
contest for territorial possessions among Ehei'''
Franco and Spaln in Tho early history OF America
No,vodovs each country contents itself with the
modest demand Of sphere of influence or pro-
tectorate over the uncivilized peoples II mas as
covered. with friendly treaties securing exclusive
commercial privileges TO itself and suthcen' coll
cessions of territory 10 its commercial compahi'S
Where exclusive rights cannot be pretended TO-
tho demand is made OF fair play for ALL with
equality Of rights in regions to be fecognlze1 d.
neutral. and with free ard independent naviga-
ton of great watercourses. no matter what ~"
Inhabitants Of their banks may desire IhoF'"
,ormercial eyiyences have dictated the latest
.xnression Of international law in regard to this
last continent given TO the nations OF Europe 10
ciyilize and apportion among themselves
Frenchman has wickedly summed this up as
comedy in two acts: First, the Act OF Berlin oy
which White is forbidden TO eat white; second
Tho Act Of Brussels which extends the prohibition
and forE.ls white 10 eat black
T.. is the first act which Lieutenant Nixon com
o,ains the Fncls. arc reducing 10 farce IN
their ROYAL Comrany's treatment OF MN aohe
the Niger Ita workmen drilled holes III inc
boilers which they pretended to rivct for him.
and its agent did his best 10 prejudice the Sultan
nm the river against the coming Frcnchman. Inc
French Officer denonnces the Engilsh agents ac-
ton as equivalent 10 an attempt az ASSASSINATION
and whatever NAV no thought or TINS. ~ is GER
tain that Lord Aberdarc has not met s4uareiy
The details Of The charge Meanwhile The Morn
me Port" hints openly that the obnoxious Lieu
tenant may find the Lower Niger closed to him
nm his return. since the Royal Company is Obliged
70 look ont for its own interests even to the point
~ nreventnc tho passage of an expedition through
IL. tcrritorv Now the English Government, when
"a nolitically responsible for the company, was
one Of the contracting parties at Berlin, where
tho free navigation ~ the great rivers in Africa
was proclaimed
Rut this is not the only instance to show that
fair contract among nations is not always fol-
lo,vcd hv fran, fGlflment the part Of indi-
viduals France has on hand another and pos
ably a more serious. difficulty with the Congo
Free State This time it is the Act OF Brussels
forbiddinc DANGEROUS commerce. as OF arms or
alcohol. with the blacks. which has been disre-
rnrded NJ De Poumayrac. who was the lien
.onant of NJ de Brazza and took a leading part
In the exploration of the Oubanqbi, has ocen
,ssassinatcd on the banks OF the Ketto by saw
ages who received their arms from the congo
,ese agents Here too. a charge is made OF Will
ful malice: and, as Captain lie Marine1, OF the
Free State, has taken rather hish-handed meas
urcs 70 bar the river TO all eXtrancous commerce.
there is naturally much feeling in the matter.
a. no has also rejected the deimtation of terri