Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 September 1902 — LOCATION OF BRITAIN’S NEWEST ACQUISITION. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

LOCATION OF BRITAIN’S NEWEST ACQUISITION.

Portuguese East Africa, which Great Britain is reported to have purchased under an agreement entered into ten years ago by Great Britain, Germany and Portugal, has an area of 301,000 square mile* and a population of 3,120,000. Its ports are Delagoa Bay, which ha* a railroad connection with the Transvaal, and whose possession is Britain’s principal object in buying the territory; and Beira, from whieh there is a railroad line into Rhodesia, 222 miles in length, and which may go to Germany with the northern part of the territory. The possession of Delagoa Bay gives Great Britain a port for the Transvaal and a naval base on « the west coast. Commercially the territory has great promise, particularly in mining. Thousands of gold claims have been staked out by Britishers under concessions from Portugal, and their development awaits only improved transportation facilities. Rubber, ores, wax anil ivory are the principal exports. Imports have in late years amounted to $7,500,000, and exports to SBOO,OOO annually. Portugal Las reeeived from the territory in revenue $5,000,000 annually, of which three-fifths has been expended in its administration.