Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-05-18
YANKEE INVASION
What Most of Europe Thinks of
Thomas F. Ryan's Con-
ces sionS in Africa,
CAPITALISTS GLAD OF MOVE
investors in Foreign Lands Claim 1t Is
One of the Most important in
Many Years.

A prominent banker and capitalist OF
Paris, one of the group interested in
the exploitation of the French African
colonies, stated to the Brussels CORE
spondent of the New York Sun that the
entrance of Thomas F. Ryan and his
associates into the field of African de-
velopment was regarded as one of the
most important movements in many
years.
Although there is some of the usual
talk about the Yankee INVASION he
said, there are some solid reasons why
European investors in foreign countries
are glad of this movement. For one
thing, we regard it as evidence of con-
fidence in the commercial and financial
stability of our colonies. Then, too. it
affords us the opportunity to demon
| strate to the Americans the need Of
reliable and responsible government in
| the undevelOped parts of the world
| where European or American capital
may be invested.
For example, when Americans have
| substantial investments in any of our
| African colonies they can better appre-
| ciate our desire for responsible and
| conservative government in South
| America, where some of US havs very
large interests. We know that the
| Americans have no political intentions
| in Africa, so that their commercial in
| terests in that continent will stand re-
| lated to the European powers exactly
as our commercial interests across the
| Atlantic are related to American pow
| erS; hence we feel that the Ryan move
ment toward Africa gives us somewhat
| Of q guarantee of Il substantial nature
for fair MAY all around"
Tells View i'm France.
| An English capitalist Interested in
Africa when told the views of the Paris
financier practicall.- agreed with him.
I'VE have found Americans very
| useful TO us in South Africa he said.
respectfully such men as John Hays
Hammond and Gardiner Williams. The
Americans have vast territorial eX-
| panSe for studying economic geological
| questions not possessed by any Euro
| pean power at home. and so they are
especially competent to help discover
the resources of Africa. 1t is likely
that American investments in the Kon-
go will lead to conservatism of govern
ment and improvement in many ways.
Some Englishmen have professed to
see in this movement only. Il clever
ruse of King Leopold To checkmate
possible British hostility. but it is
absurd to suppose that the American
government viii allow itself TO become
entangled i'll African affairs because
| of the interests of Il few capitalists.
AS q matter of fact, there is much
British capital interested in the richest
mineral portion of the KOngo, and our
interests will probably he identical
with those of the Americans as far Is
our relations TO the Kongo government
are concerned
1t is expected in Brussels that the
American expeditions will reach the
interior of Africa about the first of
= June. The expedition in charge of Mr.
Werner will begin development work
Immediately, Il steamer having been
obtained for it's use. and new town
Is to be laid off somewhere near Stan
ley Pool. The members of this eXpedi
uOn are MeSSrS. rope ana Andrews
81 Americans and Bertrand and DcJahr
, Belgians, besides others to follow soon
J. The geological and meteorological sur
vey under s. H. Ball. late of the Unit
. ed States geological survey. has secur
ed as eXpeditionary chief X. Dorsey
, | Mohun, formerly of the United States
navy and for several years an officer
| In the KOnpO government The Latter
expedition will be occupied at first il
general reconnaissance work to prepare
for actual exploitation later.