AFRICAN EXPLORATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8289, 23 June 1890, Page 6

AFRICAN EXPLORATION.

The Emin Bey Relief Committee, Berlin, received a letter from Dr. Peters, May 5. He had ascended the Tana River, and camped in the Mamoni mountains. He and his party had had frequent engagements with the natives, and defeated them. A despatch from Zanzibar, May 13, says Captain Wissmann had bombarded Lindi, and captured the town. The Emin Pasha expedition met with difficulty at Bergamayo on April 28, and had only reached a point rive days' march from the coast. The desertions amounted ; to one-fourth of the whole force. His mission in Africa will, it is said, be confined to establishing friendly relations with tribes in the interior within the German sphere of interest, and estimating the cost of eventually forming fortified stations in the interior. Dr. Zuccititti, at Cairo, received a letter, May 12, from Emin Pasha, dated Bergamoyo, in which he says :■—" I found myself between the English and Germans. My decision to return to the heart of Africa in the interests of the Germans was soon taken when I saw the English endeavouring to derive advantage from the prestige of my name. With reference to Stanley and Tippoo Tib, I have information which, if published, would create a great sensation. Stanley will be the first to stir up the people against me." Emin Pasha, .previous to his re-entering Africa, invested his private funds in a plantation at Bergamayo, with the object of cultivating cotton and other products. The investment represents the savings of many years. Advices from Benguela, May 29, state that the Portuguese expedition to the interior of Africa was stopped by natives at Cine, and stripped of everything. Some members of the expedition were taken prisoners and manacled. The others were driven from the country. It is reported fourteen of the explorers were killed. Another expedition will bo sent to chastise the natives. STANLEY'S movements. The Geographical Society's reception of the explorer, took place at the Albert Hall, May 5. The Prince and Princess of Wales, Duke of Edinburgh, and Duke and Duchess of Teck were present. There was a brilliant assemblage of the leaders of all classes. The Princes of the Royal Family headed the triumphal procession which conducted Stanley and his colleagues into the hall. The assemblage rose en max>se to applaud. The President of the Society presented several gold medals to Stanley; one bears his effigy. Copies in bronze were presented to his colleagues, including Bonny. The National Zeitung of Berlin reports Emin Pasha as saying "lie could not assent to Stanley's desire to exhibit him in Europe like a rare animal." On May 6th, the Queen received Stanley at "Windsor Castle. „At a dinner given in London by Americans to Stanley, he was presented with a United States silken flag. The freedom of the city of London was presented to Stanley at Guildhall on May 13. it was the grandest demonstration in honour of the explorer since his arrival in Europe. He was also the recipient of a number of pictures and maps of Africa, London, Great Britain, and the United States. In an interview, he expressed himself wearied with England's pliancy and apathy in regard to the operations of the Germans. It England continues inactive, Germany would secure paramount influence in Africa. The Emperor is backing Wissmann, and it is impossible for him to fail in advancing German interests. There was no reason why England should not now be in possession of the Congo country, and all the advantages that Belgium enjoys. Stanley complained of the namby-pamby journalism of the English press, and the obstruction he had met with from the false sentimentality of the alleged philanthropic societies in London. Sir James Fergusson, Under Foreign Secretary, stated in the Commons, May loth, that Stanley's treaties with African chiefs were not authorised by the Government. Stanley is engaged to be married to Miss Dorothy Tennenfc in July next. The engagement was made previous to his last departure for Africa. She is the lady who posed for Sir .John Millais when he painted his famous picture, "Yes or No." After his marriage, according to report, Stanley will be appointed Covernor-Generul of the Congo Free State, by King Leopold, to rule over an area of 1,050,000 square miles and a population, white and black, of 27,000,000. The bit of romance in connection with Stanley's marriage is that years ago Miss Tennent refused him because lie dyed his hair. When, among others, the Baroness Burdett-Coutts welcomed Stanley at Dover, on his return from Africa, she told him Miss Tennent was willing to marry him if the old affection existed. Stanley acted promptly on the information. Just now, according to a London despatch, May 21, Mr. Stanley is full of the idea of transporting negroes from the Southern States of America to Central Africa. The precise site fixed upon is the Upper Congo forest country, 35,000 square miles in extent, which Mr. Stanley estimates would provide for each of the negroes of the South something like a quarter of a mile of land for his inheritance. Lord Salisbury has administered a rebuke to Mr. Stanley for meddling in matters of British State policy that do nob concern him. A despatch of May 23 says, the explorer's overbearing manner and assumption of superiority have provoked enmity towards him in English quarters where it was most desirable that he should be regarded with favour. His attempt to introduce African manners into English society while endeavouring to direct English enterprise into Africa lias proved a lamentable failure. A banquet was given to Mr. Stanley by American residents in London, May 30. Three hundred people were present. The explorer made a speech, in which ho severely criticised Lord Salisbury in return for the snubbing he had received by the latter.