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watershed-line of the affluents of Lake Tanganyika, on the east; and by the watersheds of the Basins of the Zambezi and the Logé, on the south. It therefore comprises all the regions watered by the Congo and its affluents, including Lake Tanganyika, with its eastern tributaries. 2. In the maritime zone extending along the Atlantic Ocean from the parallel situated in 2° 30' of south latitude to the mouth of the Logé. The northern boundary will follow the parallel situated in 2° 30' from the coast to the point where it meets the geographical Basin of the Congo, avoiding the Basin of the Ogowe, to which the provisions of the present Act do not apply. The southern boundary will follow the course of the Logé to its source, and thence pass eastwards till it joins the geographical Basin of the Congo. 3. In the zone stretching eastwards from the Congo Basin, as above defined, to the Indian Ocean from 5 degrees of north latitude to the mouth of the Zambezi in the south, from which point the line of demarcation will ascend the Zambezi to 5 miles above its confluence with the Shiré, and then follow the watershed between the affluents of Lake Nyasa and those of the Zambezi till at last it reaches the watershed between the waters of the Zambezi and the Congo. It is expressly recognized that in extending the principle of free trade to this eastern zone the Conference Powers only undertake engagements for themselves, and that in the territories belonging to an independent Sovereign State this principle shall only be applicable in so far as it is approved by such State. But the Powers agree to use their good offices with the Governments established on the African shore of the Indian Ocean for the purpose of obtaining such approval, and in any case of securing the most favourable conditions to the transit (traffic) of all nations. CHAPTER III.-Declaration relative to the Neutrality of the Territories comprised in the Conventional Basin of the Congo. Article X.-In order to give a new guarantee of security to trade and industry, and to encourage, by the maintenance of peace, the development of civilization in the countries mentioned in Article I., and placed under the free-trade system, the High Signatory Parties to the present Act, and those who shall hereafter adopt it, bind themselves to respect the neutrality of the territories, or portions of territories, belonging to the said countries, comprising therein the territorial waters, so long as the Powers which exercise, or shall exercise, the rights of sovereignty or Protectorate over those territories, using their option of proclaiming themselves neutral, shall fulfil the duties which neutrality requires. Article XI.In case a Power exercising rights of sovereignty or Protectorate in the countries mentioned in Article I., and placed under the free-trade system, shall be involved in a war, then the High Signatory Powers to the present Act, and those who shall hereafter adopt it, bind themselves to lend their

good offices in order that the territories belonging to this Power, and comprised in the Conventional free-trade zone, shall by the common consent of this Power, and of the other belligerent or belligerents, be placed during the war under the rule of neutrality, and considered as belonging to a non-belligerent State, the belligerents thenceforth abstaining from extending hostilities to the territories thus neutralized, and from using them as a base for warlike operations. Article XII.-In case a serious disagreement, originating on the subject of, or in the limits of, the territories mentioned in Article I., and placed under the free-trade system, shall arise between any Signatory Powers of the present Act, or the Powers which may become parties to it, these Powers bind themselves, before appealing to arms, to have recourse to the mediation of one or more of the friendly Powers. In a similar case, the same Powers reserve to themselves the option of having recourse to arbitration.

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German Claims. (Report on German Colonies. Embassy at Berlin.)-The above Report takes notice of the following resolutions of the German Colonial Society respecting German claims in Nigeria :"With reference to the Anglo-French Agreement of June 14th, 1898, the general meeting of the German Colonial Society resolves to request the Chancellor of the Empire to take advantage of the negotiations shortly to be entered into between Great Britain and Germany for delimitation of Togoland, to give effect to the wishes of the German Colonial Society in regard to the various colonial questions which are still open, and which should be regulated by agreement with England, many of which have already been repeatedly urged. The German Colonial Society especially hopes that, in order to safeguard German interests in the bend of the Niger, at least the following demands will be insisted upon by the Representatives of the Imperial Government:-'1. The German Colonial Society considers that the stipulations of the Anglo-French Agreement of June 14th, which refer to the exchange of a portion of the territory of Gandu, situated on the left bank of the Niger, for certain territory hitherto in French possession, is a violation of the Treaty rights of Germany in regard to Gandu; they protest against it, and express the expectation that the Imperial Government will also protest against this unscrupulous proceeding on the part of England. 2. That the Sultanate of Gandu and its vassal States to which Germany has acquired a claim by the treaty concluded by the Togoland expedition, in

which the Sultan recognizes the German Protectorate, cannot be apportioned without an agreement with the German Government. 3. That in view of the extension of the sphere of interests of the German Colony of the Cameroons up to the shores of Lake Chad, a division of the basin of Lake Chad and of its islands, should such be intended by the line drawn from north to south along "the meridian passing 35' east of the centre of the town of Kuka," cannot be admitted. 4. That German rights in Kano and Sokoto should in so far be maintained, as the Sultan of Sokoto, by a treaty concluded in 1885, had already conferred upon German traders, in the territories subject to him, the same rights and privileges in regard to trade as had been enjoyed by the subjects of other nations, especially by the Royal Niger Company. 5. That in the revision of the Niger Navigation Act which will become necessary, all the conditions should be fulfilled which the Act promised, in order that Germany may carry out unhindered, on the Niger and its tributaries, the development of her sphere of interest in the Benué and Lake Chad districts. 6. That in the delimitation of the Colony of Togo. land towards the west, a natural frontier should be agreed upon, which is required, not by the interests of Germany alone, but by those of both nations. In doing so, it should not be overlooked that both in the neutral zone and in the districts to the north of the neutral zone Germany possesses older treaty rights than England, and also that on the occasion of the Franco-German Togo Agreement France ceded her claims to Mamprussi and Gambaga, together with other rights to Germany."

cisely the most deadly to Europeans, and, again, when the rubber is collected it has to be brought to the port of exportation on the heads of carriers, which so increases the cost of transport that it often does not pay to export this special product. Gold was exported to the value (23,555 ozs.) of £84,797. "The gold mining industry is carried on chiefly in the western district-in Wassaw and Appolonia. Three or four companies are doing steady work. The gold reefs of the mining district have been declared by experts to be similar to those of Johannesburg, and there is no reason why goldmining in this Colony in a very short space of time should not prove a decided success. The industry up to the present has been hampered owing to the serious difficulty of transporting the necessary machinery from the coast to the mines; but the Government is constructing a railway from the coast to the mining districts in the neighbourhood of Tarquah, and when this is completed it is confidently anticipated that the gold industry will receive an impetus which will result in the larger investment of capital for the development of existing mines and the opening of new ones. On the other hand, it cannot be expected that investors will risk their money in this part of Africa unless they are assured that they will have proper security as regards the land which has been conceded, and the Government has under consideration a Lands Bill, one of the objects of which is to afford such security." From the general standpoint the most important legislation of the year was the "Peace Preservation Ordinance." It " suppresses the assembling together of armed men for unlawful purposes; and, for the preservation of the peace, empowers the Governor in Council, by proclamation published in the Gazette, to declare it unlawful to carry arms or ammunition within any specified part of the Colony, but reserving the right to impose conditions and regulations under which the carrying of arms and ammunition may be licensed, and to make provision for the persons who may grant licenses to have or carry arms or ammunition. Provision is made for a District Commissioner himself to search or to direct a search warrant to any person to enter and search any house, buildings, or places in the proclaimed district for any arms or ammunition suspected to be there in contravention of the Ordinance. Power is given to the Governor in Council to fine, not exceeding £500, under certain circumstances, any chief in a proclaimed district." Two railway surveys which were commenced in 1896 were completed in 1897; one from Accra to Kumassi viâ Insuaim, and the other from Talkoradi Bay to Tarquah. Arrangements have been made for the construction of a line from Sekondi to Tarquah. This line will go through the mining and timber districts, and work was commenced early in 1898. The Report contains details of the movements of French and British detachments

Gold Coast. Report for 1897.-Revenue, £237,857; expenditure, £406,369, including £147,587 paid on account of the Ashanti Expedition. "There has been an increase of the trade of the Colony for the year under review, although the country beyond Ashanti has been in anything but a settled state. The total value of imports in 1897 was £784,188, and the value of the exports £857,793, thus making the total value of the trade of the Colony for the year £1,641,981, an increase of £71,861 on the year 1896."

The value of rubber exported to the United Kingdom was £391,106, and to Germany £28,691. "The great fear as regards this industry is the destruction of the trees by the natives; they are not satisfied only with tapping, but the trees are cut down so that they may obtain as much milk as possible. To ensure the preservation of the trees it may become necessary for the Government to intervene and preserve the forests by requiring natives to take out licenses for working the rubber trees. The Germans in the neighbouring Colony of Togoland have such a system in force. Another disadvantage that the rubber trade has to contend with is that the regions which produce rubber are pre

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in the hinterland; but as the claims of the two nations have been settled by the Convention of last year it is not necessary to recount them. Mention is made of the activity of German officials in the Neutral Zone. "On the 2nd of July the German Government were asked by Her Majesty's Government for an assurance that they would abstain from any operations against Yendi, to which a German expedition was said to be then advancing. It was pointed out to the German Government that the terms of the agreement of 1888 could not be disregarded by one of the parties to it without giving the other the right to secure its interests in such way as it might consider best, irrespective of that agreement. No answer was received from the German Government, and on the 2nd of August the Governor of the Gold Coast was ordered to occupy Salaga, which was done on the 21st of that month. At the close of the year the British forces were still in occupation at Salaga. But, subsequently, assurances were received from the German Government that they had given orders for the withdrawal of any German troops which might be in the Neutral Zone, and Her Majesty's Government agreed to withdraw the British troops from the Zone with the reservation that any infringement of the agreement by either party in the future would give the other the right to send troops again into the Neutral territory."

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Lagos. Report for 1897.- Revenue £177,420-a falling-off owing to disquietude in the hinterland, and a dry season. penditure, £182,669. "There is an armed force, known as the Hausa Force, numbering about 844 officers and men of all ranks. This force is intended almost entirely for service up-country, where the endurance and marching powers of the men are of the greatest value. They are armed with MartiniMetford carbines, and the force possesses also five 7-pr. R.M.L. guns, four Maxim guns, two 3-barrel Nordenfelt, one Gatling gun, and four rocket troughs; there is also one 3-pr. quick-firing Nordenfelt on board the Colonial Government stern-wheel steamer Maud, The total cost of maintenance during 1897 amounted to £23,069. The large number of out-stations in the interior requiring to be supplied from headquarters cause the numbers actually stationed in Lagos at any one time to be small, but since 1895, when the force was reorganized, police work is not required of them, all such duties being carried out very efficiently by the civil police. This young force is steadily improving year by year in discipline and activity, and the habitual criminal finds that his profession has to be carried on under increasingly difficult circumstances. It is composed of 382 officers and men of all ranks, and was maintained during the year at a total cost of £11,223. The men, in addition to being taught police duties, are regularly drilled and taught the use of the Snider rifle, with which they are

armed." Imports £770,510, of which the United Kingdom sent £574,937 and Germany £165,912. The exports were chiefly rubber, palm oil and mahogany, but the total is not stated. Population about 50,000. Resident European population 250. Twenty-three died during the year at an average age of 34. General death-rate 59 per thousand, as against 19.4 in England.

Niger Coast Protectorate (Report for the year 1896-7, March, 1898).-Commissioner Sir R. Moor's Report shows that the total revenue was £112,440, chiefly derived from Customs; this, with a balance from the previous year, made a sum of £129,877 available for expenditure, which amounted to £128,411. The Niger Coast Protectorate Force cost £17,412, and the Marine Department £17,608. The disproportionate expenditure on these services is due to the transitional state of the work of the Protectorate, and to the large extent of waterway which has to be policed. The report mentions the massacre of Consul Phillips' party in the previous year, during an attempt to reach Benin City, and the successful punitive expedition afterwards undertaken. "Its result was that Benin City was taken within seven weeks of the date of the massacre, and that the entire territories have since been brought under direct Government control, which will, no doubt, be for the good of the people, and lead to & considerable increase in the volume of trade in that locality. The territories are between 3,000 and 4,000 square miles in extent, and carry a large population, though it is hard to arrive at an estimate of the actual number. There are, however, 400 towns and villages in the territories, and the security given to life by direct administrative control, together with the doing away of human sacrifice and other forms of waste of human life will, no doubt, lead to a large increase of the population." The Europeans numbered 214, including 16 women; but the climate "has proved to be unhealthy, and even deadly, not only to Europeans but to alien natives also." The revenues of the Protectorate do not admit of the establishment of Government schools. Education is carried on by various missions, and the chiefs and more intelligent natives show a keen desire that their sons should be taught. The value of the total imports was £655,977 and exports £785,605; "other countries accounting for £92,686 imports and £239,138 exports, the balances credited to the United Kingdom. The spirit duties having been doubled in November, 1895, there was a considerably decreased import and consumption of spirits. Sir R. Moor complains of the want of variety and shoddy character of goods sent by merchants. On the subject of opening up new territories he reports efforts to open relations with the Aro or Judku tribe, from the right bank of the Cross River. Bendi is one of the large Ju-ju centres of the Aro nation, and was reached by Major Leonard and Mr.

James, whose reception was not, however, friendly. "This matter is really one of great importance, and for several years I have personally been engaged in trying to arrange a meeting of all the chiefs of the Aros, with a view to explaining to them the object of the establishment of the Government in this country, and the reasons why it is desirable that European officers should visit their territories. These people are the traders throughout the territories on the right bank of the Cross River from Itu and Enyon up to Afikpo, and control all the interior trade behind Opobo, Okrika, and New Calabar. It is probable that they oppress the Ibo tribe considerably, and the opening up of their country is a matter requiring very delicate handling, as any move in the wrong direction would lead to a stoppage of trade in the Old Calabar, Opobo, Bonny, and New Calabar districts, which would be disastrous to the revenues of the Protectorate. I do not, however, anticipate any such eventuality arising, as all the officers in the eastern and central divisions are fully aware of the great importance of the most circumspect action in their dealings with these people, and any attempts made to enter their country. In the New Calabar, the Sapele, and the Kwale country, journeys had been made, and friendly relations established with the people. The effect of the taking of Benin City is discussed, and it is said that the people are intelligent, and will quickly pick up civilized ideas and become keen traders. The Protectorate Force consists of a commandant, 14 wing officers and 450 men, and is provided with three 7-pounder mounted carriage guns, three Maxims, rocket tubes and troughs. This, however, is an insufficient number for the due garrisoning of the Protectorate, now that so much new territory has been opened out.

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Niger Convention between Great Britain and France. Signed at Paris, June 14th, 1898 (Africa, No. IV.).—The Convention for the delimitation of British and French possessions East and West of the Niger, declares (Article I.):-The frontier separating the British Colony of the Gold Coast from the French Colonies of the Ivory Coast and Sudan shall start from the northern terminal point of the frontier laid down in the Anglo-French Agreement of the 12th July, 1893, viz., the intersection of the thalweg of the Black Volta with the 9th degree of north latitude, and shall follow the thalweg of this river northward up to its intersection with the 11th degree of north latitude. From this point it shall follow this parallel of latitude eastward as far as the river shown on Map No. 1, annexed to the present Protocol, as passing immediately to the east of the villages of Zwaga (Souaga) and Zebilla (Sebilla), and it shall then follow the thalweg of the western branch of this river up stream to its intersection with the parallel of latitude passing through the village of Sapeliga.

From this point the frontier shall follow the northern limits of the lands belonging to Sapeliga as far as the River Nuhau (Nouhau), and shall then follow the thalweg of this river up or down stream, as the case may be, to a point situated 2 miles (3,219 mètres) eastward of the road which leads from Gambaga to Tenkrugu (Tingourkou), viâ Bawku (Baukou). Thence it shall rejoin by a straight line the 11th degree of north latitude at the intersection of this parallel with the road which is shown on the Map No. 1 as leading from Sausanne Mango to Pama via Jebigu." Article II.The frontier between Lagos and Dahomey, defined in 1895, shall be recognized as dividing the French and British possessions from the sea up to the 9th degree of north latitude. Where the River Ocpara intersects with the degree the frontier line is to proceed northward and follow a line passing west of the lands belonging to Tabira, Okuta, Boria, Tere, Gbani, Ashigere (Yassikéra), and Dekala. From the most westerly point of the Dekala lands the frontier is to run north and strike the Niger at a point 10 miles up stream from the centre of the town of Gere (port of Ilo), measured as the crow flies. Article III.-From where the line strikes the Niger it is to continue at right angles to the right bank as far as its intersection with the median line of the river and continue up stream to Dallul Mauri, about 17 miles from a point on the left bank at Gere. From this point of intersection the frontier shall follow this perpendicular until it meets the left bank of the river. Article IV.-To the east of the Niger the line starts from the meridian line of the Dallul Mauri and follows it until it meets the circumference of a circle drawn from the centre of the town of Sokoto with a radius of 100 miles. "From this point it shall follow the northern arc of this circle as far as its second intersection with the 14th parallel of north latitude. From this second point of intersection it shall follow this parallel eastward for a distance of 70 miles (112,652 mètres); then proceed due south until it reaches the parallel of 13° 20' north latitude, then eastward along this parallel for a distance of 250 miles (402,230 mètres); then due north until it regains the 14th parallel of north latitude; then eastwards along this parallel as far as its intersection with the meridian passing 35' east of the centre of the town of Kuka, and thence this meridian southward until its intersection with the southern shore of Lake Chad. The Government of the French Republic recognizes, as falling within the British sphere, the territory to the east of the Niger, comprised within the above-mentioned line, the Anglo-German frontier, and the sea. The Government of Her Britannic Majesty recognizes, as falling within the French sphere, the northern, eastern, and southern shores of Lake Chad, which are comprised between the point of intersection of the 14th degree of north latitude, with the western shore of the lake and the point

of incidence on the shore of the Lake of the frontier determined by the Franco-German Convention of the 15th March, 1894." Article V. The two Governments undertake to appoint within a year from date of the Convention as regards the West of the Niger and two years as regards the last-Commissioners to delimit on the spot the lines of demarcation "in conformity and in accordance with the spirit" of the Protocol. Islands in the Niger are in such delimitation to be distributed equitably. Article VI.-The Contracting Powers engage reciprocally to treat with consideration ("bienveillance ") the native Chiefs who, having had Treaties with one of them, shall, in virtue of the present Protocol, come under the sovereignty of the other. Article VII.-Each of the Contracting Powers undertakes not to exercise any political action in the spheres of the other. Each Power will not, in the spheres of the other, make territorial acquisitions, conclude Treaties, accept sovereign rights or Protectorates, nor hinder nor dispute the influence of the other. Article VIII.-Great Britain grants on lease to France two pieces of ground, to be selected by the two Governments in conjunction, 66 one of which will be situated in a suitable spot on the right bank of the Niger between Leaba and the junction of the River Moussa (Mochi) with the former river, and the other on one of the mouths of the Niger. Each of these pieces of land shall have a river frontage not exceeding 400 mètres in length, and shall form a block, the area of which shall not be less than 10 nor more than 50 hectares in extent. Regulations are to be made defining the conditions upon which the transit of merchandise shall be carried on on the Niger and its affluents, branches, and outlets, as well as on the land abovementioned. Article IX.-French and British subjects and protected persons are to enjoy for thirty years the same treatment in all matters of river navigation, commerce, and of tariff and fiscal treatment and taxes of this kind. Subject to this condition each Power shall be free to fix its own tariff, fiscal treatment and taxes. The form of lease, which, in the event of the Convention not being denounced at the 30 years' term, is for 99 years, at a rental of one franc yearly, requires France to fence in such portion of the land, not exceeding 10 hectares, as will be used for landing, storage and transhipment of goods, not to permit the receipt or exit of any goods in contravention of British Customs Regulations, and not sell goods in retail. The British Government binds itself to fulfil all duties incumbent upon it as owner of the land.

Sierra Leone. Report for 1897.-Revenue, including Protectorate, £106,009; expenditure, £111,678. Imports £457,389, a decrease of £37,299 on the figures of 1896. Exports £400,748, a decrease of £48,285, partly due to less produce being brought down to Freetown from the northern rivers included in French Guinea. On the Sierra Leone Rail

way the Report says:-"It is expected that the whole of the first section, from Freetown to Songo Town, will be completed and open for traffic about August, 1898. An extension of the line to Rotifunk, a further distance of 25 miles, will then be taken in hand, as well as, it is hoped, the proposed pier at Government wharf, alongside of which ocean-going steamers will be able to take in and discharge cargoes."

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Uganda Protectorate: The Soudanese Rebellion. Africa, No. II. Papers relating to Recent Events in the Uganda Protectorate. Presented February, 1898.The Correspondence, which describes the revolt of the Soudanese garrisons in the Uganda Protectorate, and the consequent native troubles, opens in June with accounts of the measures taken by Major Ternan, Acting-Commissioner, to supply troops and stores to Major Macdonald for the purpose of his exploring journey to the source of the Juba River. Major Macdonald's instructions were thus set forth in a despatch (June 9th, 1897), by Lord Salisbury, which said that as it was desirable to obtain a more accurate knowledge of the territories lying on the northern and eastern frontiers of the East Africa and Uganda Protectorates, the expedition was to "explore the districts adjacent to the Italian sphere in which the River Juba is believed to rise, and to cultivate friendly relations with the tribes residing in that portion of the British sphere." The force was to consist of eight officers, besides Major Macdonald, 30 Sikhs, 300 Soudanese, 100 Swahilis and 200 porters, all from Uganda, and 150 Mombasa porters. The despatch proceeds: In order to facilitate and cheapen transport, and to enable you to take advantage of the favourable season during the present year, you should proceed viâ Mombasa and the Uganda Road till you reach a point at which you can turn off towards Lake Baringo, where you will be joined by the contingent from Uganda, and whence you will select your route to the north of Lake Rudolf. You must then be guided by circumstances as to the best and safest route to enable you to carry out the objects of your expedition. You will effect as careful a survey as possible of the districts through which you pass, and will explain to the natives the nature of the duties intrusted to you, and the position of Her Majesty's Government in the Uganda and East Africa Protectorates, and in the British sphere generally. You will, of course, be careful in all your dealings with the natives to avoid any steps likely to bring about a collision with them, and you will maintain strict discipline amongst your escort. You will report to me from time to time the progress of your expedition, of which you should also keep Her Majesty's Commissioners in Uganda and East Africa generally informed. You will recollect that within the borders of the Protectorates Her Majesty's Commissioners exercise the

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