The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-03-10
Colonial Exploitation
Is Greatest In Africa

co. The population OF French Afrl-
can territories equals that Of Brazil.
Portuguese holdings in Africa are
always as large as Mexico. with a
population about half as dense. Bel
gian holdings. are ope-thfrd, and
those Of Italy pne-hfth. as large as
the territory Of continental United
States.
"It is an interesting fact that Great
Britain's. holdings in Africa are al
most exactly equal to those in North
America. They are thirty-flve times
a slarge as the United Kingdom it
self, and have population large
enough to replace that of the United
Kingdom with enough to populate a
new London to spare.
1.-THE African holdings Of France
are twenty-five times as large in area
as the home country itself, while the
population is nearly two-thirds as
great. Belgian holdings are eighty
two times as great In area as Bel
GUM itself. while the population is
more than twice as great. Italy con-
trolls $4,000 square miles Of African
territory, which Is five times as much
as Its European area.
These figures were prepared. by
the National Geographic Society,
whose headquarters are in Washing
ton. and which now has the largest
membership Of any scientific Institu-
ton in the world. The statement
which contains them then proceeds:
Unique Political Chapters.
1.-THE manner In which the nations
of Europe have apportloned the sec
and largest continent of the world
among themselves forms one Of the
most unique chapters in the history
OF political geography.
Before 1880 Africa was allowed
to drift almost undisturbed bv the
politics OF the outside world. IT IS
true that scientific and commercial
activities from Europe had invaded
the continent. but there had never
been any appnrtLonment of territory
having the sanction OF international
agreemets.
I'm 1884 King Leopold of Belgium
succeeded In having a conference
called to determine the status OF the
Congo territory held in trust for civ
tlizations' BY the African Interna-
tional Association. The result of this
conference was the setting up OF the
Congo Free State, with the King OF
Belgium a tits head. In addition
thereto the conference defined the
genral sphere of influence OF the
powers in Africa.
I'm 1890. following out the plans
OF the conference. Great Britain me-
gotlated treaty. signed In Berlin,
which gave 1t Uganda and thus
thwarted a dream the Germans had
long held Of through railroad across
Africa entirely on German soil. on
the other hand, by gaining possession
of territory in southeast Africa to
the Belgian Congo. Germany as ek-
fectually prevented the construction
Of a Cape-to-Calro railway under
British control.
"a month later the English and
French signed an agreement recog-
nizing a British protectorate over
Zanzibar and Pembla. a French pro
tectorate over Madagascar, and q
French sphere of influence from All.
geria southwark to a point between
the town Of Say and Lake Chad. still
later England and Portugal came "a
an agreement defining the delimita.
tions OF their respective territories.
I'm later years came the Boer war
and thereafter another general
scramble for influence in, Africa, In
which Great. Britain secured control
over the Orange Free State and the
Transvaal. Belgium formally annexed
the congro Free State, Italy seized