New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-25
PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONS IN AFRICA.

FRENCH sTUMELING-BLocKs IN THE GABooN CoUNs
TRY-AN APPEAL TO THE HOME GOVERNMENT.
Reports received recently from missionaries
In Gao DON, the west coast OF Africa, are Durueneo
with statements OF the difficulties which beng met
in carrying missionary abors In those sections OF inc
country which have under the control Of France.
No schools allowed without the sanction OF the
French authorities and order has been issued thas
only French shall be taught in the soaooss
and that half the time OF the negro pupils shall be occu
pied In this study The missionaries Americans, OF
the Presby Church few Of them speak French ana
authorities wilnot receive communications unless
they written in that language, they are practically
debarred from making their grievances known 1t be-
heved that the placing Of these difficulties has been en-
couraged by the French missionaries Of hostility 70
the Protestant work. the opposition be continued
the result It issad win be 10 break up the work thas
has been developing during the past twenty-fve
years
AT the Presbyterian Board Of Foreign Missions No. %
entre-st, inquiry was made by TRIBUNE reporter 40
to what action contemplated by the Board in the
ma tier II was admitted that the reports touching tho
difficulties substantially correct as stated. In the
present state OF affairs however thero s no desire on
the part the officers say much on the subject. On
receiving word last June OF the condition Of AFFAIRS tho
subject presented by the Board TO the Government
with request that the missionaries be protected ss
American The Secretary of State has submitted
the matter the French Government, which now has II
under Amusement For rnis reasou," said Of the
secretaries we feel deicaey about making anything
public and have refraned from printing anything about
II In our own journals"
what Is the present condition Of your work ID
oaboon ." asked the reporter.
1.-THE work IL suspended except that which IL being
done In the homes OF missionaries, 70 which the
pupils OF schools which have been closed have been
taken We understand that the regulations enforced
by the authorities do than carry out the laws OF
France We DO not think that the Injustice 70 when
Ibey subjected reazed when Is, we think tna
Freucn authorities will remedy It, We do not work with
view TO any national interest, but being AmeticaDs
onr work "a conducted American basis. Gab0on
large stretch OF territory near the equatop
and $50 miles along the coast with population esttH
mated az 100000 natives, and not more than 200 Euro
means including a0out thirty missionaries. traders
Ersaoh ssIlors and soldiers We have been spending
about $40 900 year tbis district tue Instruction.
~ the natives There several tribes, some OF theH
cannibas and none Of them with written language.
Ne nave reduced the languages OF two OF the prneipa
trthes 10 writing and ransatipg the bibe into thei
fonle having also prepared reading udspeing b"oks
Tn result these Languages are gradually aosoro
In those smaller tribes and Will eventually prove
GREAT help In prosecution OF tile WORK OF cyliza
We have nearly zoo scholars In the schools and
400 persons visit regularly ING inc lou"
"Wnen was the work begun in the Gaboon country"
"Gaboon frat occupied as mission station IN
hr was transferred 20 the Board until 1870 10
&C.. the missionaries who discovered the Ogoye Rivers
hIch navig6o 200 miles from the sea, but had pre-
FRENCH who mold OF the country 10 the souh
dd not las 10 tails section until twenty years ago.
North o the the country Is ned Dy the Eoglsp
aud GerInans"