184 ReeoUtttions of Adventures 



When, owing to petty squabbles in the Cape 

 Colony and the feebleness of the British Colonial 

 Minister, Herbert Bismark notwithstanding his 

 statement that he wanted no inch of territory, but 

 only to protect Luderitz and Hahn at Angra Pequana, 

 annexed the country, now German South West 

 Africa, I urged Rhodes to get the Downing Street 

 and Foreign Offices, to obtain the cession of this 

 territory, in return for Heligoland which Germany 

 then wanted but it was no use. That important 

 island at the mouth of the Elbe was ceded, the 

 equivalent being a promise not to interfere with 

 British occupation of Zanzibar and Pemba (where 

 Germany had really no right to interfere). As long 

 as we are on friendly terms with Germany their 

 occupancy of the South-West does not matter, but 

 in case of war it would be serious and at all times 

 gives them an excuse for being constantly in South 

 African ports, possibly influencing the South African 

 political situation. 



Before the Majuba fiasco of 1880, Delagoa was 

 of no importance. It had no hinterland, no trade, 

 no harbour or landing facilities. Since 1880 it has 

 grown in importance, and was the port of entry for 

 the Transvaal, and the depot for the vast amount of 

 all material accumulated by President Kruger, whilst 

 preparing for the war with Great Britain 1899-1902. 

 Since the Boer war British capital has made Lourenco 

 Marques an important sea-port, and Portugal now 

 claims a lion's share of the profits on seaborne goods 

 and rail transport to the Transvaal. 



In 1875 Mr. Hugo Nellmapius wanted a conces- 

 sion to run a camel transport from Delagoa to 

 Pretoria, undertaking to carry ammunition, etc., for 

 the Government, on certain conditions. Now trains 

 run daily to Pretoria, via Witbank, direct to Johan- 



