New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-10-02
GREAT STROEE IN AFRICA.

From whatever point OF view IL may oc ic-
rarded. the occupation OF Emin's old capital
by the Congo State is the most important and
suggestive news we have had from Africa Tor
many a day. NJ. Van den Kerckhove' an
officer OF the State has made his way up the
Welle River, and thence overland to Wadelal.
IN the Nile. He has with him force OF
several thousand well-armed men, and fleet
OF twenty large boats for lake and river SER
vice. Exactly what he Is doing, or intends 70
do il not clear But there he is. safe ana
sound, with ample power to hold his ground
AGAINST the Arabs; and. no matter which OF
tho various theories extant regarding him may
be true. he has already made himself DOM
inant factor IN the solution Of the mid-African
problem. Looked at merely as all exploring
expedition, his achievement is worthy OF rank
close to those OF Stanley. Speke and Cameron
for he has opened a land highway connecting
the two great waterways OF the Continent
But the most striking features Of the case have
nolitical and social rather than geographical
bearings.
Wadclai is practically on British soil. Eng
land urged Egypt on to the acquisition Oh IL
years ago, and then allowed it to be abandoned
10 sayagcry. That record gives England no
title to it. But when, a short time ago. Eng
land and Germany divided the bulk OF East
crn aud Southern Africa between them, 1t vas
agreed that Emin's old province should be as
signed to the former. And so, though she
never has taken possession or the country, nor
done anything for 1t. save to suffer tho ciVillz-
ing work of Emin TO be undone. England re-
CARDS it as hers. II is not. however. therefore
4 L
TO be understood that NJ. Van den kerckhove
is an unwarranted invader. The British Gov
ornment has been cognizant Of his doings all
along. and has had frequent and friendly COM
muncatons with the King Of the Belslans
concerning them and it is thus practically
under British auspices that tic occupation Of
Wadelai has been accomplished The iact Is
that Englands position in that part OF Africa
has been rather insecure for tho last year or
two. Captain Lugard has got into hot water
in Uganda and has practically had to abandon
that country. for time at least. And no Eng
lish Minister has ycnturcd to propose the send
in2 OF another expedition thither. In the
mean time France has been vigorously pressing
forward and threatening to extend tho limits
O. her COMO State to tho Nile With such a
condition confronting her England has been
glad 10 sanction tho occupation OF Wadelai by
tho Congo Free state. That she will allow
that occupation 70 bo permanent is not az all
probable though tho King Of the Be.Gian'
earnestly desires il; but she will make in somc
less important place suitable concessions 10 re-
ward tho Congo State for pulling the British
chcstnuts out Of what France threatened to
make an uncommony not fire.
What interests US even more however, than
these political considerations is the fact that
NJ Van den Ksrckhoves campaign has struck
an almost fatal blow at the mid African slave
trade. In his rch he has traverssd the Dor
delland between the two great regions OF
Arab raiding. II Is a land constantly crossed
and rccro,scd BY marauding parties. He has
not only opened up highway through that
territory. cutting scuarcly across The paths OF
the raiders. hut lie has established numerous
stations along il and n system Of armed patrols
80 that the two wings Ct the Arab army are
MT only separated. but will be held apart.
Derived of the power of concerted action. they
viii both be immeasurGbly weakened and thor
,elniciou, activities held in check. This. moro
than ANYTHING else makes this news good news
70 the world outside OF the European ring OF
African land grabbcrs.