The age-herald., 1898-03-10
GROWING CONTEST
 FOR MORE TERRITORY

For more than ten years leading military writers and civilian writers upon military topics have agreed that the expected clash between the continental powers would be brought about by African territorial dis putes That continent has been the scene of tremendous colonial aggrandizement England, Germany and France have seen III II the only competent outlet for sur pius goods and surplus populations. Afri- ca, indeed, occupies to two of them A mo- sition once filled by the United States The hordes that poured across the Atlantic Ill the years immediately following our civil war and dumped themselves upon o,r snores have been diverted or checked e nose Which nave been unable to find a ioothold in the new continent, or have been unwilling to risk its dangers and roughness, have remained at home in great part. This has resulted in a constantly in creasing congestion and irritation. Italv too, mas mad African aspirations, but they nave been shattered by the disastrous and disgraceiul ending of the war with tba Abyssinian Meneek.
 
 England, Germany and France have di vided uncivlized Africa into "spheres of influence" A "sphere of influence" is mod ern diplomatic jargon for a vast tract of country taken with the strong hand and held with the strong hand. Within the German sphere of influence" the English man or Frenchman is persona non grata He cannot trade therein. He cannot live therein, unless he is very still A "sphere of influence is a conquered market If is place wherein socks made in Germany" or ironware made in Birmingham'' or prints made in Lyons can be sold at a high profit. Also it is a place wherein trading posts can be established and sol d1erS who threaten the peace of things at home can be kept at work and natives can be cozened of ivory and woods and gums and other products of savage nature
 The English and French "spheres of in- fuence' an'e in opposition in West Africa. They have been approaching nearer and more near for @ dozen years. The time Is at hand when a permanent settlement either by diplomacy or force of arms is imperative. This vast waterway, which is nlaVigable for more than 2000 miles, is the only natural road into that part of the interior Men who penetrate to it by other routes win their way through forests prirneval and over morasses unfathomabIe They die of snake bite and fever and pods- oned arrows. They account flfyt miles a week as progress. Each degree of longi- tude left behind costs them blood and treasure. The Niger, on the other hand, is swift and comparatively easy travelling. The nation which controls 1t will control a country much larger than France or Eng land or Germany, and populated with many millions of human beings, whose wants must be supplied. England has many soldiers in this part of the dark con- tinent and France has more. They are not controlled, save at infrequent intervals by the authorities at home. There is no law of man than runs in those primeval soli- tudes. The hand guards the head. War between the powers over the possession of the great river is merely matter of the discretion, or lack of discretion of under officers, who have been so long from home that they are almost as savage as the sav- age ctdeftains around them. This Is a fact recognized and feared by Salisbury and Hanotaux. It Is a fact that rejoices the soul of Joseph Chamberlain. secretary of