On the nineteenth of June they met the expedition of Dr. Peters and Herr
von Piedemann, who had started the year previously for Uganda, to supply
Emin with munitions, but had been prevented from getting there by the
prevailing disorders. Great was their surprise at finding Emin, whom
they were seeking to rescue, leaving the coast fresh and active, with
the intention of penetrating the interior as far at least as he had been
before. Dr. Peters shared Emin’s opinion that the Germans should occupy
Tabora, but Major Wissmann had strictly forbidden this as he feared that
the undertaking was too great for Emin’s small force and a disaster
would injure German prestige among the Arabs. It seemed, however, as if
Emin were in the hands of destiny. He had issued his orders to march
directly to the Victoria Nyanza, but it was impossible for him to secure
the necessary number of porters. At last, as he succeeded in getting
eighty-six Waramboans who lived in the neighborhood of Tabora and were
going in that direction, he determined to go there. Everything went as
he wished. Arriving at Kigwa, he was met by a deputation of Arabs who
invited him to Tabora. They came from the Waramboans, whose chief had
been killed in a battle with the Wangomans, and who implored the help of
the Germans. They were on good terms with the colony. They had rendered
good service to Wissmann in his encounters with Arab revolters and
naturally believed they ought to have help in return.
So by dealing with them in a peaceful way, as well as by his familiarity
with their habits and his skill in handling them, he succeeded (August
1, 1890) in making an agreement with them, the principal points of which
were as follows: “All Arabs must subject themselves to the German
government, with all their relatives and possessions, and hoist the
German flag as a sign of their loyalty. They will be allowed to select
their own governor, who shall be approved by the German government and
be paid by it. The property rights of the Arabs and the practice of
their religion shall be recognized by it. The governor shall maintain
order and furnish German expeditions with supplies. Slave trading is
strictly forbidden.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account