New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-05
DELAGOA BAY NEGOTIATIONS.

1t seems probable that the Delagoa Bay ques.
ton will soon be settled in what must he regard
ed rs, on the whole. the most satisfactory way.
For many years the bay and the railroad which
runs thence inland have formed the chief OBJ
ject of contention in all South Africa. Portugal
owns the bay. But England has much interest
in It, The Transvaal Is vitality concerned with
It Germany has attempted to develop claims
upon 1t. Even the United States has not been
free from diplomatic and other complications
over the railroad. For all Of which the reasons
are obvious American and European capital
has been invested there. And the bay and rail
road form the one incompnrably great gateway
and route Of trade In Southeastern Africa.
Whoever controls them controls the commerce
of all that resourceful and rapidly developing
quarter Of the continent.
To the Transvaal, as has been said. Delagoa
Pay is Of vital importance, for it is the sole
practicable port Of that republic 1t lies close
to Transvaal territory, and its railroad trav-
crses that country and runs TO Pretoria. The
vast bulk OF Transvaal exports and imports
pass over that route and probably always will.
The Transvaal Government has for years been
making strenuous efforts to purchase the bay.
Could II do 80, it would become a seaboard
State. and II ian never hope to become such I'M
less it does so. IF Great Britain obtains pos
Sc ssion of Della goa Bay the Transvaal will be
hcpelessly bottled up forever an inland State.
compelled TO traverse British territory to reach
the outside world. TO avoid such n fate the
BOer Government has resorted to every possible
device, especially to intriguing with Germany.
Il has practically said to Germany, Secure
'Delagoa Bay for u.s. and we will mortgage the
''Transvaal to you forever" Germany has tried
hard TO do it, but in vain.
Now it is announced. with much color of au-
thentcity that Great Britain has secured the
prize, and that as already stated seems to be
the most natural and satisfactory conclusion Of
the matter. For not only do Great Brtain's in
tercsts in that part Of the world far outweigh
all others combined, but she is far better able
aud far more likely than all others combined to
use DelagOa BAY for the wider opening and the
more rapid development of South Africa. One
may rail at her for nd-grabber. But she i'm
proves the land she grabs more than any other
nation. She is the one supreme colonzing and
| trade xpandng Power Wherever her flag IS
| planted civilization is established and COM
merce is developed. And while such work is
done primarily for her own advantage as. Of
course 1t should be, Ii Is also for the benefit of
oil other Powers. Under British ownership of
Delagoa Bay German trade there will doubtless
increase more rapidly than it would under Ger.
man ownership: just as in Egypt under Lord
Cromers wise control. the financial interests of
France have been safeguarded and promoted
more effectively probably, than they would
have been under French control. 1t is that fact
that justifes the extension of British authority.
and that will make the world regard with salts.
faction Great Britaln's acquisition Of Deagoa
Bay.