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| Imperialism |
Colonial Policy | [P|S|M] |
Reichstagsakten 1889/90, 7. Lp., Vol. 127, Attachment 44: Collection of Documents pertaining the Uprising in East Africa, No.5: Report of the Imperial Commissioner for East Africa
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Zanzibar, June 23rd 1889
arrived Berlin July 23rd 1889
Obediently I report the following to Your Excellency :
Arrived in Zanzibar on June 14th, I was informed by S.M.S. "Pfeil", that the war faction in Pangani and Tanga held the upper hand, that works were carried out on the fortification and that an attack was expected.
With great skill rumours had been spread from Saadani, according to which the Germans had lost a hundred men in battle there, which seems to have caused a recovery of confidence.
I went to the Sultan, told him the rumours were without foundation and informed him about the real facts, and induced him to write a letter of warning to the Panganimen and a call on the Jumbe of Bagamoyo, asking them
to enter in negotiations with me.
Before this letter could have reached Pangani, the Wali of Pangani, Seliman bin Nasr, arrived here with 40 of the Sultan's soldiers. The negotiations made it obvious that the Panganimen never would accept the conditions demanded by me. Especially they would oppose a garrison commanded by a white officer.
As preparations for an attack on Pangani would last c. 14 days, in agreement with the ultan I decided to send the diligent Wali Seliman bin Nasr again to Pangani to bring over a deputation. If negotiations do not lead to a peaceful solution, they still contributed to further dividing the parties in Pangani, while we made our preparations. In Pangani we will probably face c. 3,000 rifles, among them 250 Comorese (good soldiers) and 100 Baluchis and Arabs; the natives there are also more warlike than those residing further to the south.
The commander of the Sultan's troops, General Mathews, at my request, has written a letter to a powerful chief residing to the west of Pangani, warned him not to participate in the defense of Pangani and asked him to soon enter in communication with me.
From Bagamoyo reports came in according to which a three-day expedition into the interior had found no traces of the rebels, and that people would come to Bagamoyo to sell their goods.
Daily I permit Indians, individual Arabs and Goanese to move back to Bagamoyo.
Tippu Tip's son, Zefu bin Mohamed, has arrived in the destroyed town of Saadani, with ivory; I have given him permission to come to Zanzibar.
In Dar-es-Salam the last chief of the vicinity, Buamaiji, has entered in peace negotiations, also here Indians settle down to trade.
Today I leave Zanzibar for Bagamoyo in order to prepare for the attack on Pangani, because even if the negotiations would be successful, we have to appear ready to strike.
signed Wissmann
His Excellency Prince von Bismarck
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Originaldokument
[S.95]
translation and English language table of contents: AG
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