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Scramble for Africa: Chapter 9
The Race for the Pool
Europe and Central Africa
30 May 1882-April 1883 and before
The chapter begins with the arrival of a French explorer named Brazza
on the steamship Corisco. Brazza and his companion had just returned from a
year and a half trek through Gabon and the northern Congo. Brazza was a
French Naval lieutenant and claimed he had made a treaty with an African king
called Makoko. This treaty gave France control of the pool thus control to the
heart of Africa. Brazza was on his way back to France to ensure that France
would ratify the treaty. After docking in Liverpool, England and speaking with
the French Consul there, Brazza and his mechanic Michaud received fare to
return to France. Brazza had to contend with the French Minister of Marine,
Admiral Jean Jaureguiberry, who was not in support of Brazza’s efforts to open
up the Congo. Jaureguiberry wanted French governmental funds to flow to
West Africa. If France opened up Gabon and the Congo this could mean less
money would be designated for West Africa. It was only due to Admiral
Montaignac, a member of the Societe Geographique and Leopold’s
International African Association (IAA), that funds were channeled to Brazza
and his expedition. Brazza was to set up two stations for the French committee
linking Gabon and the Upper Congo. Stanley was to open up the lower part of
the Congo.
It was discovered that the IAA was to be a front for King Leopold and the
Belgians. Brazza felt that the French committee should be a front for the
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French. Brazza wishes to delay Stanley and beat him to the Pool, the
economic key to the upper Congo. Brazza beats Stanley to the prize and
opens up negotiations with the local Teke chief who lived above the pool and at
the head of the cataracts. For the next 25 days King Makoko and the Teke
chief entertain Brazza and his men. A treaty is signed and Makoko and his
subordinate chiefs are told that the French are the only white men allowed
access to the territory. Stanley in the meantime was plagued with a lack of
good workers. Leopold was also constantly pressuring Stanley to hurry or
Brazza would beat him to the Pool. Stanley refused to be rushed and replied to
the King, “I am not a party in a race for Stanley Pool”. Although Stanley said
that if the King were to send more men his progress would be faster.
Stanley reaches the Pool and discovers Brazza has indeed beaten him
to the prize. Stanley was told by the chiefs guarding the pool to either leave or
starve because his men would receive no help from them. Stanley seeks the
help of his “blood brother”, chief Ngaliema who was powerful enough to be an
ally in regaining the Pool. Stanley in 1882 builds the capitol of the new colony
on the Pool called Leopoldville. Patience persevered for Stanley and he
scooped the pool from Brazza.
Brazza needed a strategic plan to regain the pool. Brazza explained to
the French committee the peaceful manor of his missions, he like Livingstone
wanted to open up Central Africa, introduce legitimate trade, and stop slavery.
This was the chance to spread the 3 C’s: French Catholicism, French
Civilization, and French Commerce. Leopold explained that unless the treaty
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with Makoko was ratified France would lose all access to the wealth of the
Congo. The ministry of the marine feels that the decision to designate the extra
expense to build a colony in the Congo needs to be determined by the Cabinet.
Also at this time Leopold invited Brazza to his palace in Brussels. Brazza was
unimpressed with Leopold’s hospitality and was reaffirmed that the IAA was a
big scam only for Leopold’s benefit. Leopold makes an attempt to sway his
French ally, Lesseps. Leopold states that if France signs the treaty it will only
lead to a scramble for territory. Leopold receives the reply back that the French
Committee was handing over its stations to France. Leopold is in a panic and
approaches the British foreign office to send a warship to the Congo Pool to
frighten off the French. Leopold’s plea is rejected and is given the advice to
“throw in the towel Brazza has won”.
On November 18 the Makoko treaty was submitted to the Chamber of
Deputies for ratification. It was ratified and Brazza became the most famous
Frenchman of his generation. In France patriotism had touched hands with
colonialism and everyone was passionate that France would become a great
African power. The Congo was France’s but the real “Ed Dorado” was along
the river Niger that was open to be conquered by either the French or the
English.