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 THIRD MARQUESS OF SALISBURY 289

recent developments appears even more regret- table, yet the solid benefits received in exchange should more than counterbalance the loss.

In the same year, by an agreement with France, our protectorate of Zanzibar, and our sphere of influence in the Hausa States and Bornu, were recognised by that country, while we in return recognised the French protectorate of Madagascar and her claims to the Sahara. Meanwhile, British differences with Portugal had also been settled, though not so amicably. Portugal had put forward claims to all the territories lying between Angola on the west and Mozambique on the east, and these claims were recognised by France and Germany in 1886. Such pretensions it was impossible to admit, and Lord Salisbury at once protested against " any claims not founded upon occupation." He also informed the Portuguese Government that the Zambesi must be regarded as the natural northern limit of British South Africa. In 1889, the charter granted to the British South Africa Company for the development of what is now Rhodesia occasioned fresh disputes with the Portuguese, who made further efforts to assert their claims in the Zambesi region. Finally, the news that an expedition had been despatched to the Shire highlands compelled Lord Salisbury to send an ultimatum to Lisbon, and the expedition was disavowed and withdrawn. Prolonged negotia- tions followed, resulting in a convention by which, while consideration was given to the just

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