The Berlin January 5th, 1885.—The Conference resumed its
' labours to-day, and discussed thé propositions, relating
to the slave trade tendered by Sir E. B. Malet and
Mr. John A. Kasson. As recast, these embody both
proposals, and will form a separate declaration.
January 6tli.—The plenipotentiaries received at a
Conference held.this day the draft Declaration relating
to the formalities to be observed when taking possession
of new territory on the coasts of Africa. It enjoins
the necessity of a simultaneous notification to all
the other signatory Powers to obtain recognition,
and to make possession valid, and recognises the
obligations of such annexing powers to establish and
maintain a jurisdiction sufficient to ensure the observance
of peace as well as respect for acquired rights,
and as the case may be for the conditions under
which freedom of trade and of transit shall have been
guaranteed.
January 7th. — The Declaration prohibiting slave
trade in the Congo basin was adopted by the Conference.
I t says : “ Each of the Powers exercising
sovereign rights or influence in the regions forming
the conventionally established Congo basin declare that
these regions shall not be used as markets or routes of
transit for the trade in slaves, no matter of what race.
Each of these Powers binds itself to use all the means
at its disposal to put an end to this trade, and to punish
those engaged in it.”
A large assemblage from the Rhine Province and
Westphalia honoured me with a banquet to-day, and
listened to my remarks about thé advantages offered The Berlin
to commerce in the basin of the Congo.
J anuary 8th.-—I lectured to a remarkably enthusiastic
audience at Frankfort this evening, on Central Africa,
and the benefits likely to accrue to Europe from the
labours of the Conference. A diploma from the oldest
established Geographical Society in Germany, and
another from Prince Hohenlohe Langenburg, on behalf
of the German Colonial Association, were bestowed
on me.
January 9th.— I lectured at Wiesbaden to-day, and
was honoured with a banquet.
The plenipotentiaries discuss the Declaration respecting
formalities, and several days’ delay are caused
principally through Sir E. Malet not having received
definite instructions from the British Foreign Office
upon the points mentioned.
January 19th. — Prince Bismarck entertained the
plenipotentiaries and delegates at a banquet given at
his palace. An interesting feature at these banquets
are the elaborate menus in fashion illustrating the
Congo and African scenery.
January 28th.—After a long delay the third point,
which referred to the foundation required on taking
possession of a portion of the African coast, in the
programme of the West African Conference, was disposed
of to-day.
January 31st.-rtt-The official report on the regulations
to be observed in regard to future annexations was
approved at a plenary sitting of the Conference.