The St. Louis Republic., 1901-11-03
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AFRICA'S RESOURCES.

africa is now the land of golden op-
portunity" begins s. Z. Werner in tell
ing the story of the Dark Continents
rise from obscurity. We of America do
not know much concerning the broad
territory that lies between the Mediter-
ranean and the Transvaal. Mr.. Verner's
picture Of conditions differs from popu-
lar conception.
For instance, he asserts that there Is
not a square mile of land over which
sovereignty is not claimed, and in most
cases effectively established, by some
organized government England con-
trols Egypt, the Niger, the Upper Nile.
Uganda, the. stretch between Victoria
Nyanza and Zanzibar. most of the Zam-
besi Valley and South Africa. France
controls most of North Africa, the Sa-
hara. the Central Soudan, the Senegal,
most of the north bank of the Congo,
and large part of West Africa. Ger
many has three large colonies in West
Africa and one in East Africa. Portu-
gal has about 100000 square miles in
East and West Africa. The King of
Congo Valley, territory nearly as large
as the Valley of the Mississippi
So much for the geographical divi-
sions. Mr.. Werner sets forth that the
war in South Africa is a part of de-
termined scheme on the part of Great
Britain to obtain possession of the en-
tire continent. England would have
fought France as readily over Fashoda
as the Beers are now being extermi-
mated. The strategic Importance of
Africa cannot be Overestimated in Eu-
rope.
Boats navigate the Nile. the Congo.
the Niger and the Zambesi rivers for
immense distances. On each side of
these waterways are rich alluvial plains
with healthful watersheds. Security to
life and property is maintained by SOL
diers stationed at many points. Land
in Central Africa costs only 40 cents an
acre. International treaties provide for
the granting Of titles without discrimi-
nation.
Post Offices throughout the interior of
the continent are under the regulations
Of the Postal Union. Communication
between New York and the heart of
Africa now takes twenty-five days.
Freight may be shipped from any point
in America to Central Africa on through
bills of lading. Government taxes for
all purposes do not exceed 10 per cent
of the value of property and merchan-
disc
+, Nearly every product can be secured
in Africa. OF the minerals there are
precious stones, diamonds. coal. petro-
leum and petrified gums; of the metals
there are iron, gold. copper and lead,
and of vegetable products, rubber,
palm-oil, timber, kola, oranges, lines.
guavas, mangOes. nuts corn, mandioca.
coffee, cocoa, rice. plantsins, bananas
and kola.
Labor is cheap and dOcile. Mineral
production costs little. A pound Of rub
Der that brings 81 a pound in Europe
can be secured from the natives for a
yard Of cotton sheeting. Other valu-
able products can be purchased at the
same rate. Interest attaches to the
statement that the value of rubber i'm
ported into the United States last year
exceeded that of the gold production.
Some day, according TO Mr.. Werner,
Africa will be called upon to supply
lumber for the world. The great plains
and fine streams are valuable for cattle |
raising. TapiOca is made from man.
dioca. The ordinary yield of mandiOca
per acre is about 10000 pounds. Slavery |
is abolished except through longtime
contracts which the natives sign some |
times to get the protection Of white |
men from marauding tribes.
Railroads are being built in every |
direction. Cameron spent three years in |
going from the Upper Congo to the
West Coast. The trip can now be made |
in one week. There seems to be no |
limit to the Imagination when the fu- |
ture of Africa is considered. The ex-
ploitation Of the Dark Continent holds |
success for those with enterprise.