FOR PERSIAN HAREMS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 283, 26 November 1908, Page 3

FOR PERSIAN HAREMS.

SLAVES CAPTURED IN MOZAMBIQUE.

BRITISH TERRITORY RAIDED. The " Bloemfontein Post " of October 22 publishes an extraordinary report, conveyed to that paper in a private communication regarding the. alleged prevalence of slave traffic in the Mozambique territory. The paper says: " The information is of so sensational a character that, though we have every confidence in our informant, we give it publicity with all reserve." It is alleged that the tribes to the north s.ystematieally capture a number of men belonging to the weaker tribes of tKe south, and, after mutilating the unfortunate creatures, ship them 10 Persia and elsewhere, where they are employed in domestic service in the harem. The communication to the paper states that these facts have been reported to , the British authorities, and a visit of an official to the territory confirms the story. So hold and daring have the northern tribes become that they raided .British territory in Nyasaland and captured several hundred natives, who were, however, rescued. It is stated that as many as 2000 natives a month are being shipped by Arab dealers. A correspondent at Lourenco Jlarques made inquiries into th a allegations. The Britsh consul denied knowledge of anything of the kind, and the Acting-Gover-nor-Oeneral emphatically denied the truth of the statement, declaring that there was not a shadow of foundation for it. Captain Bettincourt, whose long and intimate knowledge of Northern .Mozambique entitled him to speak with especial authority, declared it was impossible that such things could have occurred without his knowledge, and emphatically denied the existence of the alleged abuses.