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Events that led to the British Ultimatum |
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Oliveira Martins |
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Consul Johnston |
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The documents published two days ago in o Dia and the narrative of events which led up to the pending conflict with the British government, came out in a relevant and well timed manner so as to comment on the Pall Mall Gazette article, translated in yesterday's Novidades. |
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The English paper states in summary that, given the failure of attempts to reach an agreement between Britain and Portugal regarding dominion in the region between the Zambeze and Niassa, the British government has sent as consul to Mo�ambique the very agent of these negociations; and he, embarking with the purpose of submitting the native chiefs to British sovreignty, anticipated our Serpa Pinto who, out of spite, massacred populations, aprehended British flags, and commited, in summary, the censurable actions which now excite the wrath of John Bull [ed.- Portuguese characature of 19th century British imperialist]. |
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Lets go by parts. |
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The Pall Mall Gazette states: |
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�He was able to formulate a provisional agreement to which the Portuguese subscribed and Lord Salisbury would have ratified had it not been for the pressure exercized by the Scottish missionary socieities. They believed that the concessions made to the Portuguese by Johnston were too great and that the proposed agreement would endanger and threaten the existance of missons on the said lake. So energic were his arguements that the Prime Minister conceeded and therefore did not approve Mr. Johnston�s agreement, ending prematurly the efforts made in order to reach a solution.� |
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Here we find significant statements. The British Government recognized the foundation and justice of what is now referred to as our daring pretentions to such an extent that it was not only willing to negotiate, but had even accepted the terms of the agreement. Thereafter the Scottish missionaries interevened and forced Salisbury to change his reading of the situation to our detriment. |
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This first confession, of absolute accuracy, cannot but weigh heavily on all which, of serene spirit, and with a clear sense of justice, wish to judge the facts. |
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Consul Johnston departed for Mo�ambique and of his intentions the Pall Mall, apparently well informed, states: |
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�He left this country some months ago with great hopes of being able to cooperate in the establishment of British superintendancy up to Tanganica, and as soon as he reached the Zambeze, he began to fulfill his mission.� |
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Thus the Consul in Mo�ambique, according to documents published in O Dia, began his proceeding in a singularly hypocritical fashion. |
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In order to penetrate into the interior he requested a passport and letters of recomendation from the Portuguese authorities of the very same region which he wished to place under British sovereignty. |
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�Her British Majesty�s Consulate. - Mo�ambique. - Twenty and one of July of eighteen hundred and eighty-nine. - Sir. - Enclosed with this letter: - Firstly, a list of persons which shall accompany me in my upcoming voyage, and which should be included in my passport. - Secondly, a list of my rifles, etc. |
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I also ask of Your Excellency the great favour of a letter of recomendation to present to all Portuguese oficials which I shall encounter on the voyage. I shall certainly obtain from them the same kindness, the same hospitality and the same help which I received in Angola from Portuguese officials and private citizens, and which without doubt the Portuguese authorities of the province of Mo�ambique are willing to provide under the invitation of Your Excellency. Who God keeps. |
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Your servant, (sig.) H. H. Johnston, Consul of Her British Majesty.� |
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I do not wish to further sour a conflict, in which the British press does not refrain from grotesque insults and threats. We shall abstain from utilizing the name which characterizes and entirely new procedure in oficial relations. Privately we know what a person who infiltrates the other�s home, invoking friendship but intending betrayal, should be rightly called. |
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The Portuguese authorities bestowed on consul Johnston the safe-guards which he requested and which the Consul thanked in the following terms: |
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�Her British Majesty�s Consulate. - Mo�ambique. - Twenty and two of July of eighteen hundred and eighty nine. - Sir. - I received from Your Excellency�s hand a most gracious letter of recommendation and your passport. - Your kindness does not surprise me. I am accustomed to being so treated by the Portuguese. In returning from my voyage, I hope to have good results to report to Your Excellency. Who God keeps. (sig.) H. H. Johnston.� |
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The Consul thus left with the letters in his pocket. He departed with the intentions now revealed by the Pall Mall, but which he took the trouble to carefully conceal. He departed on his voyage and did the following: |
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�They signed treaties with him under which they entered in friendly relation with this country, and from place to place British flags were raised throughout the course of the Chire up to Niassa. Major Serpa Pinto, arriving after Mr. Johnston, saw that he had been anticipated. He returned to Mo�ambique to obtain reinforcements e then fell upon the poor natives, with which Mr. Johnston had obtained treaties.� |
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The above is the Pall Mall version. The truth is elsewhere, and was happily made known by the report of events which was published the other day by the Portuguese papers and which has been reproduced in the French press. The fact is that the expedition, destined for studying the Zambeze railway, was assaulted by the natives encouraged to mutiny by consul Johnston. The fact is that Serpa Pinto, to defend the members of the expedition which were in danger, ran eastward, obtained reinforcements and returned, being able to free them and punish the rebels. |
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Honour be made to the valiant official, whose likeness differs from the portrait drawn up by the Pall Mall and consul Johnston, which is as follows: |
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�As little Johnston is a Darwinian Elizabethan, with the heart of a Trobister or a Kav�kins, the spirit of a modern evolutionist. In the struggle for life he will not hesitate in adopting any procedure, which in his opinion can contribute to the safeguarding and realization of a great end of nature - the survival of the fittest - which in his opinion are certainly not the Portuguese.� |
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Thus, and despite all this, the English press calls for energy against Portugal; the Pall Mall calls for a blokade of the Tagus and the punishment of Serpa Pinto - when justice and good-sense are asking Britain for greater care in the choice of officials with which missions are confided, such as the Consulate at Mo�ambique. |
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Perhaps the philosophy of Darwinism is excellent, but in relations between peoples brutality is still inadmissable. There exists a strong and valliant thing which is known as the Law, and the proof remains, we will not say in the unanimous sentiment of the Portuguese, but in the manifestations of sympathy which our attitude has provoked in the press throughout continental Europe. |
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Punish Britain and consul Johnston, not for the opinion which they have regarding us, not for their ferocious darwinism, but rather for the duplicity which they employed against us, entering our home, claiming our friendship, requesting and obtaining our recommendations in order to betray us. |
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May Britain recognize its mistake, because such acts of repentance, often impossible for the weak, increase the prestige of great nations, for not having to invoke fear, but rather credit as sons of the respect for the law, decorum and their neighbour�s property. |
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Britain is a great and glorious people, and not even when its press, inspired by fanatical missionaries from Scotland and ambitious people such as a certain Cecil Rhodes, dumps on us torrents of abuse, should we forget that their alliance with us is centuries old. Her government and conscience, thanks to God, have not yet been converted to savage Darwinism, nor have they descended to the level of unashamed brutality. |
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If Britain has Johnston, it is also the land of Gladstone, and not even the electoral influence of Scottish priests, disputing the majority of the Salisbury cabinet, not even that, shall the British government be turned into the servile instrument of fanaticism and money aimed against us. |
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We insist, however, in waiting that the firm and modest energy of our Government should be crowned with success in this difficult trial which are undergoing. |
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OLIVEIRA MARTINS - published in O Tempo, 20th of December, 1889. |
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This text was translated by Manuel da Silveira |
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Refuting Kemp |
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