V. (Ch 3)

[David Morris]

>From: "jbor" The exchange between Lepsius and Goodfellow (75.13) at the 
>Fink Restaurant [...] Each man presumes to speak on behalf of a different 
>colonial faction; but for both of them Africa is merely an abstraction, 
>land to be claimed in the name of one or another European imperial power.

Yes. The land (of course the people are expendable) is nothing but a 
potential source of wealth.

>What is interesting is that the European alliances are never really 
>clarified, are perhaps still forming in fact. At the Consulate party Yusef 
>the factotum speculates that the looming trouble in Upper Egypt is between 
>England and France, with "Germany (and therefore Italy and Austria)" 
>aligned in a "temporary rapprochement" with the former, and Russia in 
>league with the latter (67.3). However, he notices the Austrian Consul 
>"spending much time in the company of his Russian conterpart" (68.9). 
>Similarly, Lepsius (who is Hanne's "lover") is German, while Goodfellow and 
>Porpy, who are obviously Lepsius's opponents, are unmistakeably British. 
>Bongo-S seems to be a rather heartless (perhaps literally!) mercenary who 
>is working for Lepsius.

Nice synopsis.  Yes, the powers have not yet settled on the spoils.  The 
victors are not yet clear.  The only clarity is in the distain the powers 
have for the humanity of its native ("if only they were robots") population.

DM


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