Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 4.djvu/462

 876 SOUTH AND EAST AFRICA. tion to the Imperial Government as did the former East India Company, or as does the present North Borneo Association. Under the express terras of the concessions and charter, the company is em- powered to build and maintain fortified stations, to equip ships of war, to enlist and 8ijp|M)rt iin independent force of soldiers and police, make and enforce civil and criminal law, levy customs and taxes, op?n up trade routes, and in general perform all the normal functions of a sovereign power. The affairs of the new state are en' rusted to deputies appointed by the board of managers in London, subject of course to revision and control by the imperial authorities. The company has already taken steps to fortify several of the small islands, and place garrisons in them for the purpose of protecting legitimate trade and checking the Arab slave-dealers. Several stations on the mainland have also been selected, where the flag of the now state will be hoisted, while routes have been traced running inl md along the northern frontier of the German territory, and iK'Vond it towurds Lakes Victoria and Albert Nyanza. In this direction the domain of the British East African Company will ultimately be conterminous with the province of Egyptian Sudan on the White Xile, which was successfully held by Kmin Paslia against the forces of the Mabdi. When Egyptian Sudan is again brought within the spheie of civilising influences, the British protectorate will virtually extend from the Mediterranean up the Xile Valley to the great equatorial lakes, and thence eastwards to the Indian Ocean between Zanzibar and Somali Land.