The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 2, No. 11, March 17, 1898, page 19 by Various Authors
<< Return to Title Details & Download20
in the wrong.
On the other bank of the Niger, England, through the Royal Niger Company, has made treaties with the native chiefs, and thus gained a good foothold.
In 1893, France conquered and annexed Dahomey, which is on the coast; but England controlled the hinterland of Dahomey through the treaties her company had made with the chiefs. France chose to set aside these treaties, and said that, having been made with savages, they were not valid. During the last three years she has sent out expeditious from St. Louis and Dahomey, and gained a great deal of territory which England believes she ought to control.
So that is the way the matter is at present. France has the possession of countries for which England can show her treaties.
For the benefit of commerce, it would be well that victory should lie with England, for she would open the country to the commerce of the world, while France alone would benefit should she control this rich land.
* * * * *
We told you two weeks ago of the change of Presidents in the Republic of Venezuela.
The new President, Gen. Ignacio Andrade, starts his administration with the prospect of serious trouble in his country.
The State Department at Washington was notified, shortly after General Andrade's election, that a revolution had broken out at Valencia. This is a town two hundred miles west of Caracas, and situated in the mountains, which, starting here, extend down the whole western coast of South America.
The cause of the revolution is not known, but it is supposed to be on account of the succession of General Andrade.
* * * * *
The Chinese puzzle still remains unsolved.
Mr. Labouchere, the editor of London Truth, has some very good ideas to offer; he says: "What, in the name of goodness, have we got to quarrel about in China? Russia is striving to get an access to the Pacific which will not be ice-bound in winter. It is a reasonable desire, and will not