The final treaty between Great Britain and Portugal for the
delimitation of their African possessions has been laid before the Cortes, and will, it is said, be accepted. The Republicans profess discontent in .order to deprive the Monarchy of credit, but most politicians in Lisbon think the Treaty a good one, and all agree that it must be accepted. Its main principles are, that the disputed lowlands go to Portugal, which can cultivate only through natives, and the disputed highlands to Great Britain, which exports settlers ; that the navigation of all Portuguese rivers shall be free; and that for twenty-five years the duty on goods crossing Portuguese territory shall be .3 per cent. ad valorem, the 'precious metals, however, being exempted. Each Power may construct railways and telegraphs in the territories of the other, which shall, however, always be subject to local legislation, and all concessions of land or mines are guaranteed, subject, however, to the condition that in the event of dispute the grants shall be referred to arbitration. There are a great many sources of future quarrel in the details of the agreement, but the transit trade will so enrich the Colonial Treasury that diffi- culties may for that reason be smoothed over. In the end, we suspect, the troubles of the Lisbon Treasury will be re- lieved by the lease of guaranteed privileges, or of the Colonies themselves, to the governors of Mashonaland.
Previous page
