BRITAIN AND FRANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14566, 31 December 1910, Page 7

BRITAIN AND FRANCE.

INTERESTS IN AFRICA. •

By Telegraph.—Press Aasciciation.—Copyright.

London, December 29. The Paris correspondent of the Times states that a small group of Deputies is safeguarding the interests of Jibutil and Somaliland traders. The group is connected with other economic groups, forming a formidable combination. The Government, moreover, is anxious that the arms traffic between Jibutil and Muscat should be part of a wider settlement, but Britain is reluctant to .contemplate sacrifices. The 'times, states that British Gambia is likely to be ceded to a foreign Power.

Jibutil lies on the African coast of the Red Sea, opposite the British island of Perim. From here Arab dhows run cargoes of rifles and ammunition to the Persian Gulf, whence they are conveyed by camel caravans to Afghanistan. The actual area of the British settlement of Gambia is 69 square miles, but an additional protected area, consisting of a strip on both sides of the river, was added in 1890, makine, after concessions to the French in 1904, a total area of 3000 eauare miles. The population of this area is 14,000, of whom some 200 are Europeans, It is practically shut in by French territory. The settlement is connected with Europe by cable, and the Liverpool mail steamers call fortnightly.