INTRODUCTION
that, whilst heathenism is receding, the gain falls in far greater measure to Islam than to Christianity. . . . The gains of Christian missions are estimated at the most as so many tens of thousands a year, whilst the annual increase of the Mohammedan community is to be reckoned by millions. This was the state of the case even when Islam as a political Power seemed to be on the decline. How much more vigorous and rapid will the expansion of Islam in heathen Africa be, now that its premier Power, Turkey, has got itself included in the most mighty group of states in the world and has made victorious head against all its foes on all fronts ! The result ought to be that we can even to-day look forward to an Africa nine-tenths Mohammedan, and it will be one of Germany’s most important tasks in Africa to further energetically her political predominance alongside of the growing influence of Islam. No other means so effectual present themselves to stem the encroachments of England and France upon the Mohammedan domain in Africa. But if this policy is successful, then we have an altogether new world-situation with the most extraordinary prospects !—(pp. 10-12.)
Trietsch sums up in conclusion the Mitt el- Afrika scheme : —
To found a big colonial Empire in Africa, reaching from the South-West to the South-East [sic, misprint for North- East?] and up as far as the Cameroons and Togo, bound into one by regions which were once French, Belgian, or (it may be) British—that must be our aim. It is a necessity for our independence in the matter of the supply of raw materials ; it is no less so for our position on the seas. Such a realm, properly organized, would be self-maintaining, and could be administered somewhat after the pattern of the British ‘'Dominions.” The pawns, which ought to bring it to us, we hold in Northern France and in Belgium.
. . . We might almost say that this factor in the terms of peace would offer the strongest evidence that we were unconquerable.—(pp. 30-31.)
9.—Emil Zimmermann.
During the last two years Emil Zimmermann has become the most industrious preacher of the Mittel-Afrika gospel. Articles from his pen on the subject have appeared in Das
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