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Colonial Policy | [P|S|M] |
Reichstagsakten 1889/90, 7. Lp., Vol. 127, Attachment 44: Collection of Documents pertaining the Uprising in East Africa, No.14: Report of the Imperial Commissioner for East Africa
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Simbabweni, September 23rd 1889
arrived in Berlin October 25th 1889
On the occasion of the caravan departing for the coast I have the honour to most obediently report Your Excellency the following :
On September 9th I departed from Bagamoyo, marched through Murima territory in two days and struck camp in Madimola in Wasaramo territory, already in area under German protection. I had all chiefs from the vicinity come there with food, promised them protection and explained to them the new situation.
In order to support a punishing expedition simultaneously undertaken against Conduischi by my chiefs in Bagamoyo and Dar-es-Salam, I dispatched a company from Madimola in southern direction. - This patrol took fire from only one village; it took the village, the enemy suffered two dead.
From Madimola onward I crossed the Kingani and marched on a complex of villages belonging to chief Pangiri. At an earlier time, Buschiri has spent some time here; here one of his main leaders, the Comorese Jehafi and a
still hostile ex-Jumbe of Bagamoyo, Makauda, shall have established their camp. Just before we reached the fortified residence of Pangiri we took fire. After a brief skirmish we expelled the enemy from their camps, and
drove him, after overcoming brief resistance, in front of us. I had two strong patrols persecute them; they returned in the evening, reporting that the enemy had dispersed in three directions, fleeing. Two large barns filled
with rice were found; what we could not carry with us (c. 500 sacks) was burnt. Such a store of food, rather unusual for conditions here, leads to the assumption that this place was prepared as a stronghold for later
undertakings and only convinced me more of the necessity of the expedition into the interior, in order to
(p.101) destroy any influence of Buschiri and any base from where he could resume his activity. After the enemy camps, but not the villages of the natives, had been burnt down, we marched toward north west, in the direction of the
great caravan route, driving the larger part of the rebels in front of us. In a few small villages there were skirmishes with the enemy rearguard. Then, while marching through dense bush forest, I lost track of the refugees
for an entire day; I found it only at Msua, a village complex on the great caravan route, on the 15th.
In Msua women and children had fled, while the men had assembled in arms to await our attack. After they were informed of my peaceful intentions, the chiefs came bringing presents. On the 16th the detachment which had escorted the Waniamwesi caravan on the great caravan route arrived in Msua. The Waniamwesi marched so slowly that I had to give up the plan to have them escorted and limited myself to opening up the route in front of them.
In case the Waniamwesi would not manage to catch up with me, I left behind in Msua presents for Pandascharo, the most important Waniamwesi chief, to be picked up by the Waniamwesi caravan, and marched on along the great caravan route. Every day I camped in a complex of villages surrounded by a thick of thorns. From everywhere chiefs came with caravans bringing food, to be promised German protection after they had explained their present position toward us, from everywhere messengers came in requesting peace, even chiefs residing a day's journey off the route sent presents.
On the 22nd I arrived in Simbabweni. Kingo, the most powerful chief, a relative of Bwana Heri who was defeated in Saadani, had given protection to the French missionaries who had fled Buschiri. He himself had never participated in actions against the Germans and had maintained his independence toward the Arabs, raising a passage toll from all caravans passing through.
With the mediation of the French missionaries I was able to remove the fear of us which had emerged here based on false rumours. Kingo, who
brought his presents to me today, is an exceptionally intelligent and relatively powerful man who can be trusted to a certain extent.
The reports on what lies ahead of us are not yet clear enough to make my dispositions regarding my next steps. It is probable that Buschiri, on reports of my approach, turned south. Makanda and Jehaji probably also marched southward, as they feared to be arrested by Kingo. Many caravans are said to be at Usagara, waiting for the route to the coast to be opened; among them two caravans of Tippu Tip, lead by Arabs known to me.
My force, a company of Sudanese and two companies of Zulus, behave well; their health condition as well as that of the Europeans is satisfactory.
signed Wissmann
His Excellency Prince von Bismarck
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Originaldokument
[S.100]
[S.101]
translation and English language table of contents: AG
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