The Conference on West Africa has begun sitting in Berlin,
with Prince Bismarck as President; and, according to correspond- ents, some thunderbolt is to be levelled against Great Britain. This country, however, demands nothing but Free-trade on the Niger and Congo, and that the right of policing the former river in the general interest should be entrusted to her instead of to an International Commission. It is believed that both these points are arranged ; and it is difficult, therefore, to see whence the thunderbolt will descend. It is imagined that the rules pre- scribing the modes in which territory may be obtained in West Africa will be onerous to Great Britain ; but as no existing boundaries are to be disturbed, and as we have already more swamps and black people than we want, that also seems im- probable. We imagine Prince Bismarck is much more anxious to obtain a slice of West Africa for Germany than to spite England, or even to induce her to quarrel with France. What can he do, if he forces us to quit the Conference ? A jealousy of Germany seems to infect all correspondents, who one day warn us against intrigue on the Congo, and the next urge us to seize Zanzibar before the new German Consul-General gets there. Is nothing to be left for anybody but ourselves ?
