The times., 1899-03-27
PARcELING OUT AFRICA.
The Meaning of the Agreement He
tween Great Britain and France.

London. March 26.-A red-le,ter mage in
the history of Africa was turned when
Great Britain and France came to an agree
ment in parcelling out the last portion of
africa still open to "grabbers" The agree
meht reached disposes of hundreds OF thou
SANDS OF square miles, leaving only four
recognized independent States throughout
the Continent-Moroccc. Abyssinia, Liberia,
and the Orange Free State
Inc statement has given satisfaction in
treat Britain, where it is generally con-
sluered fair to both parties, and has
especial value in finally averting as far as
diplomatic documents can risk. future dis
putes.
moreover. an important feature OF the
agreement. providing equality in the COM
merclal treatment of the territory between
Lake Tchad and the Nile, is that II does
not hamper Great Britain in the least. as
ner Tree trade system would have secured
commercial rights of France. while the
french concession OF equal rights improves
tne English position. In the face of French
colonial protection this is a most valuable
advantage for Great Britain, which is fully
appreciated here.
The reception OF the agreement by
Europe is decidedly favorable. The
Russians do not seem to care. the Ger
mans apparently hope for the compensa-
tion elsewhere and are not sorry to see
Frances hands full OF colonial embarrass-
ments. while in France, except for colon
ial faddists, and inveterate Anglo phobes
the majority of Frenchmen are dazzled by
the extent of empire secured to them,
which they picture to themselves as a sec
ond India, and they also heave a sigh Of
relief at the fact that the matter has
finally been adjusted.
AS the Spectator" remarks: "Only
French Anglo -phobes are discontented and
| they can only explain that the English
have given what they do not possess.
This criticism is quite true. but Europe
has been doing that in Africa for twenty
years and is going to do the same in
China IL Europe and America have not
a general suZerainty over the world all
their proceedings are huge Dacroity but
then they affirm and. when necessary, en-
force that very suzerainty.'
The French Government is hurrying the
bill to a ratification and it is expected
that 1t will be voted by the Chamber Of
Deputies on Monday. NJ. Delcasse. the
French Minister OF Foreign Affairs, counts
on good majority
One good result OF the agreement is seen
in the announcement published in the
Echo de Paris OF the suspension OF mill
tary preparations for the defense of Cor
sica, Algeria, and Tunis and the return
OF the troops sent to Algeria and Tunis
and the coast towns of France recently
owing to the tension Of the Anglo French
relations
Soudanese experts predict that the
French will find they have hornets Test
in the region around Tchad. where several
powerful potentates hold sway. The lead
ing ruler is Rabeh, formerly slave in
Upper Egypt. who went westward and
carved an empire for himself with his
sword. He is now styled the african
Napoleon" has an army OF 10000 men
and rules the territory southwest OF Lake
Tchad.
He is at loggerheads with the neighbor-
ing Sultan Of Wadai, whose country is also
included in the French sphere and who has
really 100000 followers among the Sen
oussi and whose troops are said to be led
by Europeans.
Frances policy is to foster the mutual
hatred between Rabeh and Wadai, but IL
this leads to an attempt to subdue either
of them she will have a tremendous strug-
gle before her. especially in the case of
Wadai. as thousands of the Senoussi live
in Tunis and Algeria and would probably
make common cause with their co-reli-
gionists and Wadai, involving confiagra-
tion in Frances North African possessions.
Slatin Pasha. in an interview. is quoted
as saying: Frances conquest of her new
protectorate will be very dif1cult and will
entail many sacrifices"