4 i6 EXPLORATION, LABOUR QUESTION, ETC. .. 



some splendid camels last year, which still do good work at 

 Rejaf. 



The number of new names I have just mentioned, and which 

 are not yet to be found upon any map, will show you what 

 a large tract of new country we have now to deal with, 

 especially when I add that the places are not situated at five 

 to six hours' march from one another, but often at a distance 

 of from six to eight days' good march, and even more. 



Is it not about time for me to remind you of your friendly 

 promise to assist me whenever you could ? Our stations now 

 form as good a basis for the exploration of the country as you 

 could possibly wish, and I need not add that I would do all in 

 my power to aid explorers. 



A great deal of money is given now-a-days — unfortunately 

 in Germany as elsewhere — for the exploration of the worn-oat 

 routes which lead from Zanzibar into the interior; men and 

 money, too, are sacrificed on the west coast, while there lie here 

 scientific treasures within reach, and no one heeds them ! I 

 apply to you, then — the approved master of African explora- 

 tion, a disinterested promoter of scientific research — with the 

 earnest and sincere request to use the proffered opportunity, 

 either yourself or for others, who, if sent by you, will always 

 be welcome. Will you not let German explorers have the 

 honour of opening up this new, rich field ? No delay, how- 

 ever — you know well enough how precarious official positions 

 are in the East — and it is a question whether my successor 

 will take an interest in science. Do not think me arrogant 

 for using this last expression ; on the contrary, I am perfectly 

 well aware that I am one of those " of whom you do not know 

 the stamp," as Professor Hartmann was fond of saying. You, 

 however, who have known the East for a long time, will 

 probably say that I am right. 



And now I will touch upon another point which appears to 

 me to be a vital one, and upon which I would ask your advice 

 and help in the name of those ties which bind you to our 

 country. You were, I think, the first to propose the immi- 

 gration of Chinese to open up Central Africa. Since the 

 government of this province was entrusted to me three years 

 ago, I have certainly studied the people and the country 



