The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-14
PAUL KRUaER's GATEWAY.


Ray as "a factor I'm the South african war
Is clearly presented by Cyrus c. Adams IN
Harper Weekly Thai this now impor-
iant point on the map or tle world is ST.
tracing attention, more perhaps than any
other place outside OF locations Immediate
iy contiguous to places where bosti.itlcs are
In practical operation. Is shown in cable
dispatches spread before the world ever,
day. Delagoa Bay is the open door to the
Trarsvaal through which food end other
supplies are reaching the enemies o. Eng
land No wonder is it that England is
anxious for IFS possession?
The Boer Government has for several
years been utilizing Lourenco Marques. the
town and harbor on Delagoa Bay, for war
purposes. The Transvaai has made Della
goa Bay the inlet for its war materials as
completely as though its own flag goated
over it. The Beers for a long time. have
been aware OF the fact that a struggle
was impending with England, and nearly
the entire bulk OF their enormous pur-
chases OF war material has come TO them
I through DelagOa Bay. The article In 'Har-
per's' explains that the Transvaal expeu-
ditures for forts in 1897 was nearly 81 800,
I 600. and the cannon on the walls Of the
/ Boer forts passed well mufIied and under
fictitious invoices through the Portuguese
port.
Aside from its present and probably long
| to be continued. political interest DeIagoa
1 Boy is noteworthy because OF the fact that
| it is one Of the finest natural harburs in the
/ world. II is the only first class harbor on
the east coast of Africa south OF the Gulf
OF Tadiura, near the Red Sea II is 20 miles
/ long and 25 miles wide at its broadcast part.
/ 4
! Marques are number Of shoals, but there
are deep channels between them, and many
hundreds OF the largest vessels may ride
safely at anchor ih water from 40 to 1870
feet deep. The great importance OF this
bay is OF very recent date II would be
now what it was fifteen years ago a port
Of entry for ''Kafr vessel garrison sup
plies. and nothing else were 1t not for the
wonderful development OF the Transvaal FL
Dorado just over the western border, and
the completion in 1884 OF the railroad that
connects Lourenco Marque with the mines
that for two years have produced more gold
than any other part Of the world
Fifteen years ago only small trading
vessels were often seen there. They IN
loaded their rum. the principal cargo.
and sailed away again when tides and
winds served. and were always glad 10
weigh anchor and depart for the inert
colonists and soldiers ashore had allowed
the settlement. through generations OF
laNity and indifference to drop into a land
of miasma and malaria and become ter
ritory. existence in which no man could
truthtully call blessed.
Today steamers from America. Germany.
England, and Cape Colony represent mar
thine stability and enterprise in Delagoa
Bay. Steamships in New York-African
lie z
The town and the TransvaaI take some
millions of dollars worth every year OF
our wheat. maize. petroleum. lumber.
squared timber and machinery The town.
however, is merely a forwarding port for
most OF the goods we send there. The to-
tal export and import trade of Lcureneo
Marques in 1897. for example. amounted
to N.ll0.00O. while the transit trade 10 ana
from the Transvaal reached over Sf3 600
GEO.
The bay is the natural gateway Of the
oouth African Republic, and for many
years England has coveted il and sought
10 become its master Portugal has resist
ed every overture thus far from the Brit
ish Government and in SO doing has been
mindful OF the policy President Kruger has
been steadfastly presenting to the Dons
OF the little kingdom. Germany has also
resisted the incIinations OF England in
consideration OF the material interests
OF the kaiser's subjects in the Transvaal.
Now the following interesting pic
ture is presented to the world:
Days after the British seizure OF the
Hour ships. six large Armstrong guns and
sixteen ammunition wagons. landed nj
Loureneo Marques. are sent on their way
TO Pretoria. Through that wide harbor
enough munitions of war have passed 10
equip European army for hard cam
paign, and they are still coming While
the Beers are sending shot and she'll into
the British lines at one end of the road.
the subjects OF the little Portuguese IA
ton that was scared nearly out OF its wits
some years ago by British threats to bonn
bard Lisbon. are receiving and forwarding
fresh supplies at the other end This war
material not only enters a Portuguese port
to be transshipped to the enemies OF Eng
land. but It is carried ffty-four miles.
until 1t crosses the Transvaai frontier on
I railroad owned and operated BY the Por-
,uguese Government Near while every
ntimation that England intends. one way
n another to place an embargo upon this
source OF aid and comfort for the Beers is
received with cries of disapproval by the
German and French press and people But
he Beers seem to have received through
Delagoa Bay about all they require They
say their crops are excellent though the
English contradict them. II they have
,lenty to eat there is little likelihood that
heir guns will be silent
If. however. the fortunes of war bring
he territory OF the two Boer republics I'M
Ter the British flag there can be little
lOubt that Delagoa Bay will come natural
y and quickly into the hands Of Great Brit
lin. II was said few years ago that Por
ugal has not paid for the. building OF her
fty-four miles of railroad In 1889 when
be road was practically completed through
er territory. a preteNt. which the Portu-
uese people now admit is utterly indefen-
ible, was invented for declaring he con-
sssiOn forfeited. and the entire railroad
roperty coniiscated.
The widow of Colonel McMurdO an Amer
AN who owned the concession and the
interest in the share capital.
nd the British holders OF debentures and
lares were to lose everything. Prompt ac-
on was taken by Secretary of State Blaine
nd Lord Salisbury TO protect the claims
{ the American and British subjects 1t
id not take long to decide that Portugal
as liable for the payment OF heavy dam
ses. and the amount OF compensation was
1T to a court of arbitration. What with
ing documentary and oral evidence and
ie appointment of commissioners to ap-
raise the value of the property on the
round the case has dragged its weary
myth along for years. but al last the arbi-
ators stimulated by the request Of the
mercan and British Governments. are
'afting their decision which will soon be
ade public 1t is believed Portugal will
required to pay at least St2.GC0. 0Oe to
; COO 600 and also that the Government
i'll find difficulty in raising the money.
ut England stands read to settle the bill
Id perhaps pay something handsome be-
les.
Beyeridge and HOar.