The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-26
Hundreds of Thousands OF Square
Miles of Territory Divided Be-
tween the Two Powers.
AFRICANS NOT CONSULTED
AND LIKELY TO STRONGLY RESENT
GRABBING OF THEIR LAND.
Prediction Made by sudanese Experts
Conquering the Black POtentates.

Copyright. 1899. by the Associated Prcssl
LONDON, March pa red-letter page in
the history of Africa was turned this week
when Great Britain and France came TO an
agreement in parceling out the last portion
of Africa still open to "grabbers." The
agreement reached disposes of hundreds OF
thousands of square miles, leaving only four
recognized independent states throughout
the continent-Morroco. Abyssinia, Liberia
and the Orange Free State. The settlement
has given satisfaction in Great Britain.
where it is generally considered very fair
for both parties and has especial value in
finally averting, as far as diplomatic docu-
ments can. future disputes. Moreover, an
important feature of the agreement proyid-
ing equality in the commercial treatment OF
the territory between Lake Tchad and the
Nile is that it does not hamper Great Brit
ain In the least. as her free trade system
would have secured the commercial rights
Of France, while the French concession Of
equal rights improves the English position.
In the face of French colonial protection
this is 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 Germans apparently
hope for compensation elsewhere and are
not sorry TO see Frances hands full of
colonial embarrassments, while in France,
except for colonial faddsts and inveterate
Anglophobes, the majority are dazzled by
| the empire secured to them, which they pic
ture to themselves as a second 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
Anglophobes are discontented, and they can
only complain that the English have given
away what they do not possess. This crit
| icism is quite true, but Europe has been
doing that in Africa for twenty years and
is going to do the same in China. If Europe
| and America have not a gradual suzerainty
over the world all the proceedings are huge
dacotry; but then they affirm and, when
necessary, enforce that very suzerainty'
| FRANCE WILL RATIFY.
The French government is hurrying the
| bill to a ratification, and it is expected that
/ it Will be voted by the Chamber Of Deputies
on Monday. NJ. Delcasse the French min
| lister of foreign affairs, counts on good
majority One good result of the agreement
is seen in the announcement published in the
Echo de Paris to-day of the suspension Of
military defenses for the defense of Cor
| sica. Algeria and Tunis and the return of
the troops recently sent to Algeria and
Tunis and the coast towns of France. owing
to the tension of the Anglo French rela-
| tions.
The provisions of the agreement have all
ready been printed. In general 1t is ad-
| mitted France comedies to Great Britain
| the undivided control of the entire Nile
valley, including the Bahr-el-Ghazel region.
1 xtyl,f fol1 T1rar
Major Marchand occupied Fashoda last Sep
| tember. France gives UP the claim to an
outlet on the Upper Nile, although French
| trading posts may be established on the
same terms granted other nations. Great
Britain not only retains full control of the
Nile. but under the new agreement protects
it on the west by broad strip of territory
| between the river and the French posses
| sions. On the other hand, Great Britain
| comedies 10 France the right, or rather.
| the privileges to conquest in the three CEN
trail African sultanates of Wada, Kanem,
| and Bagirmi. For herself Great Britain
| holds TO what she has already conquered
| the Nile valley, from Dongola to the north
ern boundary OF the Congo Free State.
| To all outward appearance Great Britain
has abandoned its prospect of an African en-
pire stretching from the Niger to the Nile,
| across the northern part of the continent,
| just as she has already abandoned the
dream of British route from Cairo to the
| cape. For just as Germany and Belgium
| intercept the British march from north to
| south, so will France, under this latest
| treaty. cut British communication from west
| TO east. What France has apparently gained
| is connecting link of territory between
French Algeria and French Congo Up 10
| the present agreement these two French pos
sessions i'm Africa were divided by British
| and German influence. Now French troops
can march from the Mediterranean sea 10
| the Congo river without being compelled 10
cross foreign soil. Ii is not surprising the
| French people. recognizing the advantage
| of possessing Wadai, Ksnem and Bagirmi
should have given the agreement their warm
| approval
CRUX OF THE SITUATION.
The crux of the whole situation lies in
Egypt and the control of the Nile Egypt,
| without the full possession of the Nile at
| all times; will always remain a sultanate OF
the Turkish empire. With full control OF
| the Nile Great Britain will make Of Egypt
| an empire. The sultanate of Wadai, trans
ferred to French influence by the recent
| agreement with Great Britain. Is the most
powerful state in central Sudan. With
Ba girmi il has area Of 172, 900 square
miles a territory from which could be
carved States as large as Indiana. Illinois
and Iowa, with enough left for a province
half the size OF Wisconsin. II has a
population of 100000 The Sultan is
Sheikh Bey and his subjects are Arabs who
have maintained their Independence for 5oo
years. He has a standing army of 1000
men. wadai Is not desert by any means.
It's sou is fertile. productive. and the state