The morning call., 1894-04-17
THE FERMENT IN AFRICA.

THE FERMENT IN AFRICA.
1t looks as though the attention OF the
world was going to be once more directed
to the northern portion of Equatorial
Africa. There is talk Of an English war
against Uganda, though how an English
army is to be conveyed to that distant re-
gion when Lord Wolseley was unable to
rescue Gordon at Khartoum is not appar-
ent on the surface; and simultaneously
the Germans, who claim sort of domin-
ion over the coast between deg. and 10
deg. south latitude. are prosecuting war
fare against the aborigines in style that
would have delighted the Emperor Barba-
rosa. 1t may be an accident, but sim ul-
tan ously with these occurrences appears
the loDg-expected book of Ludwig Won
Hohnel on the Austrian explorations in ths
northern Somai country.
The main exploration was undertaken
some years ago. The two lakes which 1t
brought to light, lakes Rudolf and Steph-
anie, are marked on all modern maps of
Equatorial Africa. Lieutenant Won Hob
mel and his companion. Count yon Seek.
have lately devoted their attention 10 as
military and mercantile purposes. The
two lakes above mentioned. which c0nsti-
tute the base OF any operations with either
purpose, lie northeast of Victoria Lake,
between the second and fifth degree OF
north latitude. They are on an elevated
plateau, about 1900 feet above the sea, and
are surrounded by hills. on which there Is
excellent grazing. Good farm land Is
found at short distance. They are due
east of Emin Pasha's province, and only q
short journey from Lado, on the Nile. but
their natural outlet is through the country
which young Chanler has been exploring,
and past the base Of Mounts KilimanJaro
and Kenia to the river Tana.
If Austria should decide to claim share
Of the continent which other European
powers ara parceIing between them. she
might not be the worst off in the par
titon. If she got slice Of the Somah
country. 1t is really an unknown land.
Nothing is known about it except that 1t Is
densely peopled; that some at least OF the
interior waters are alkaline; that the ma
tves lead a pastoral and probably
nomad life; that they bitterly resent In
erusion by foreigners, and have been
strong enough to drive off surveying par
ties which have end deavored to trianRulate
the coast line. These tribes are called by
geographers Somals aud Gallas They
have one town, Magadoxo, Which is on
the coast and two degrees north of the
equator; here there 10 a slave market at
which a large business is done In Gala
girls for consumption in Egypt, Arabia
and Persia.
An invasion of the country from base
a. Magadoxo would offer no insuperable
obstacles to a modern army under an en-
terprising general. Such a route would
possess many advantages over the route
from Mombasa or by way OF the Nile.
From MOmbasa to Kavirom ON Victoria
Lake. the road runs through a country
which contains neither food nor water.
Parts of it ara broken. and in the bush
and hills an enemy might throw serious
obstacles In the way of an advancing
army. Ii Victoria Lake were gained. a
good base could be established at Ru-
oaga, and from there operations be d.
rected against Alberl Lake and the Upper
Nile. Blu no soldier who had a reputa-
ten to lose would be eager to undertake
the rortage 10 Victoria. On the other
side, Lord Wolseley, with all the resources
of England at his back, waa unable to
make his way to Khartoum, though the
life of the gallant Gordon hung In the bal
ance. Khartoum is fifteen degrees north
of the equator. Uganda, where the Eng
lish now propose to try conclusions with
the successor of King Mtesa, who has a
bad habit of gobbling bishop wien the
game season opens. is nearly on the equa-
tor.
1t seems plain to the eye of civilian
that if the headwaters Of the Nile and the
popufous shores of the adjacent lakes are
to be subJugsted by Christian arms they
must be approached through the Somali
country. The abundance of cattle which
were seen both by Lieutenant Hohnel and
Mr. Cnanler would simplify the problems
of transportation and commissariat, ami
according to the Austrian's account no
serious obstacles stand In the way OF an
invader. The secondary base which
would be Indispensable on such an opera
tion could be established on Lake Rudolf
OF Lake Stephanie Such an enterprise
would probably be undertaken by the
European nations jointly.