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Reichstagsakten 1890/91, 8. Legislaturperiode, Volume 136, Attachment 47: Collection of Documents pertaining the Uprising in East Africa, No.53: Report by the Imperial Commissioner for East Africa
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Zanzibar, April 28th 1890
arrived Berlin May 22nd 1890
Most obediently I report to the Foreign Office the events of last month and the result of my inspection tour to all stations.
In Tanga the European colony seems to experience the fastest growth. In addition to the employees of the deutsch-Ostafrikanische Gesellschaft and of the Plantagengesellschaft, Germans have settled down there to open their own businesses. Therefore I have permitted Herr Krämer of the Missionsgesellschaft to prepare the opening of a mission there. Further I mention that Greek retail merchants have settled in Tanga, as well as everywhere else on the coast, who seem to stand the competition of the Indians.
Tanga or Dar-es-Salam, maybe even both places, are suited as coaling stations for the planned German steamer line, and would save great difficulties and costs the line would have if her steamers would take in the coal on Zanzibar. As soon as the southern coast is pacified, the occupation, from Tanga, of the large settlement of Muoa is necessary, be it with only a small garrison, as many refugees live there because of the vicinity of our northern border and because slaves can be smuggled there.
As a good indication of the supervision of the slave trade the fact is to be registered that Chief Krenzler, the present station chief of Pangani, being informed that a large slave caravan approached, succeeded in confiscating all 207 imported slaves, many of whom already had been distributed over the schambas near Pangani, and to have them brought to the station within two days.
(p.244)
In Pangani a number of hidden arms depots were found and the owners punished, as they had failed to report them.
From the Kilima-Ndscharo my agent there, von Eltz, reports that chief Mandara, with whose leadership he is satisfied, is gaining influence. On the Kilima-Ndscharo American, English and Russian expeditions appear, for the
purpose of hunting.
In Mkwadja the population has calmed down completely, and in consequence of Bana Heri's submission the hinterland is also secured. As I already have reposted most obediently by telegram, Bana Heri had indicated his decision to submit. Therefore I sent Freiherr von Gravenreuth to Saadani, where Bana Heri arrived with 500 men, requested peace and amnesty for himself and all of his men, which he was granted after he promised to hand over all breechloader rifles. With my permission, Bana Heri and his followers moved back into their old dwellings, spread in the area surrounding Saadani. 200 Waniamwesi who had been among his followers were recruited as carriers for
Emin Pascha. A remainder of Buschiri's men returned to Pangani; the former inhabitants of Saadani settled down with Bana Heri in Ndumi and Mlembule and began with the reconstruction of Saadani. As Bana Heri acted loyally, I gave him a present of 2000 Rupees for the reconstruction of his mosque in Saadani. According to Bana Heri's statements, his losses in the skirmishes with us had exceeded our estimates considerably.
Coming from Lake Victoria, the ivory trader Stokes, an Irishmen, is expected, with 500 Waniamwesi.
The missionary Makay, long active to the south of Lake Victoria, has died.
In Bagamoyo the equipment and composition of the Emin Pascha expedition was completed on the 23rd; the Pascha departed on the 24th. I have ordered Lt. Langheld to escort Emin's expedition and given him experienced soldiers of the Schutztruppe. The condition of chief Freiherr von Gravenreuth is deteriorating in a way, that I have sent him home with the British mail steamer on the 20th. I have appointed Chief Ramsay with the administration
of the station of Bagamoyo. According to messages coming in from Mpwappwa station, the campaign against
the Massai seems to have been ended with the one skirmish. On the station Dar-es-Salam, chosen as basis for the operations in the south, work has begun on installations significant repairs of ships can be undertaken, where
coal and water can be obtained cheaply and quickly.
Immediately after the last 600 men arrived, I formed of those, and the previous expedition corps, 2 battallions of 500 men each, and garrisoned them in Bagamoyo and Dar-es-Salam. Thus the entire Schutztruppe is organized
in three battallions, one of which is the occupation battallion of the north, one the occupation battallion of the south, and the third the expedition battallion.
In the south fear of the coming actions is spreading; until the Rufidschi all larger settlements have indicated their submission, even the Arabs from Lindi have sent a delegation, which will accompany me in order to request
the inhabitants on my arrival once more to submit. Tomorrow, on the 29th, I depart, on the 30th the troops embark on my ships and on the "Barawa" which was chartered from the Sultan. On the 1st we will take direction on the port of Kiinere, to the south of Kilwa, and the assauly on Kilwa will take place soon. As my ships, despite the chartering of the "Barawa", can not handle the transport of my men, S.M. cruiser "Schwalbe" will transport 3 companies. In this month, because of massive troops movements, a report on the health condition of the troops is impossible. In general the condition was good, despite of the onset of the rainy season. Disease contractions among Europeans were insignificant. Chief Theremin died of peritonitis which is not caused by the climate. The conspicuous decrease of climatically caused diseases among the Schutztruppe is an irrefutable proof that with increasing comfort, especially with good lodging provided, causes for infection can be reduced.
signed Wissmann
to the Foreign Office
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Originaldokument
[S.243]
[S.244]
translation and English language table of contents: AG
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