The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1898-09-14
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE.
SITUATION IN AFRICA.


now center public interest in Africa,
and for the time being Asia and
Cuba are left to work out their own
salvation. When the news came of
Kitchener's great victory at Om-
durman English-speaking people the
world over rejoiced, for that victory
was taken to mean the first step for
ward in the movement of civilization
through the heart of Africa and the
beginning of British domination over
broad strip of territory from the
Mediterranean to Cape Town. While
the Soudan quieted and the dervishes
extinguished or driven from the
desert, the dream of trade promoters
of railroad from Cairo to the cape
seemed about to be realized.
Now comes the startling news that
a white force which has evidently
moved from the south, Is occupying
Fashoda on the White Nile, about
400 miles south of Khartoum. There
is every reason to believe that the
force is French. It's presence there
shows clearly that France proposes to
resist British advance in Africa and
to claim large slice of territory her
self. Occupying Fashoda she holds
strong strategic position. Trade
and commerce in that portion of
Africa may not be developed with
out her permission, if she insists on
her claim to the region. The trans
African railway will remain a dream
for many years to come if she holds
on. for Great Britain Will certainly
not back down. Time and again has
France been warned that Great Brit
ain will consider interference in the
Nile valley, cause for war. If
France does not withdraw, and there
seems no probability that such is to
be her policy, it will be difficult to
avoid prolonged hostillties.
Should such an unfortunate war
come to pass American public senti-
ment on the subject will prove an in
teresting study. Many an unthink
ing person and many an il!-informed
newspaper will doubtless set up the
old cry of British hoggishness in ter
Titorial acquisition, and, because
France is a so-called republic, will
think American sympathy should be
given to the nation that has form
of government somewhat similar to
our own. On the other hand, there
are many and strong reasons why
American sympathy should go out to
Great Britain. Great Britain in
colonizlng such portions of Africa as
she has been enabled to gain q foot
hold IN has advanced civilization, has
built up commerce, has opened ar
teries of trade and has provided the
manufacturers and producers of the
NOlANA Will lSW Ildi hSIS. OuG HAS
pursued liberal policy to other ma
tions in allowing them to reap equal
benefits with her in these markets and
the United States and this section in
particular have benefited largely
thereby. British development in
South Africa has caused the shipment
of millions of feet of Western
lumber and thousands of bushels of
Western wheat and Western -four
to the Anglo-Afrcan provinces.
American manufacturers have found
in those colonies a profitable demand
for their goods. But what has the
civilized world benefited by French
holdings IN Africa? There is not one
instance where France can be said to
have advanced civilization or to have
promoted commerce in her African
possessions. Her whole colonial
policy is one that Is not favorable tc
the trade of other countries. Thus
looking ct the matter from a com.
mercial as well as an ethical stand
point, 1t will be seen that British