The Sultan of Zanzibar, who is accepted by a useful
poli- tical fiction as Sovereign of East Central Africa, has ceded the island of Lama and the islets near it, which command the entrance to a fine harbour, together with the neighbouring territories on the mainland, including Witu, to the British East African Company, which thus reigns over a very long stretch of coast. Witu also gives the control of important routes into the interior. The German Colonial party at home is very angry, but the German Government is believed to have acceded to the arrangement. Prince Bismarck, indeed, thinks all these Colonial efforts a little foolish, and only troubles himself about German territory in Africa in obedience to a popular cry. He will not spend money on East Africa, he cannot send soldiers there, and he prefers to have his men-of-war at home. Mr. Mackenzie, therefore, will go on ruling from Mombassa in peace, and we shall soon hear of passable roads between the coast-line and the Lakes.
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