New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-25

ter Photographs should have been reproduced
In fac-simile, in order to show the marVe' "a '"'
work done by natures hand
Since Count Telekrs visit In 1SSS Dr. smith
has been the first to reach the shores or Lake
Rudolf but his experiences there are less inter-
estinr than those Of the roundabout journey.
which has enlarged our knowledge or African
fora and fauna and has brought us acquainted
with some curious tribes. That OF the Dune
pygnies is Of special significance to students
inasmuch as 1t recalls Staney's discovery OF a
race Of minute human beings on his last Famous
trip Dr. Smith assumes his pygmies TO be. IN
fact. Of the same extraction as those encountered
by Stanley Emin Pacha and others. lntermar-
rage with people Of taller stature Is gradualiy
diminishing the Dune. who. according 10 d.
Smith, now number about thousand Souls
They are agriculturists In small way. raising
sheep and goats also on limited scale. Ihey
belong very far down In the scale OF humanity
however, and apparently care little or notnihs
about improving their lot. Their chie1 char-
acteristics were black skin. round features,
woolly hair small oval-shaped eyes. rather thick
Inns high cheek bones a broad forehead, but not
remarkably receding, and very wel-formeu
bodies Their hips were rather broad. ana the
lumbar vertebra curved a little further forward
than is usual even In black races: but these 1eat-
ures were not very prominent, and did not dishg-
ure them as they do in the case or the Hotten-
tots" Dr. Smith concludes his volume with sur
vey of the prospects in Abyssnia for European
occupation. Meneleks sphere OF influence Is
Enthusiastically widening but the French ana the
Russians show signs of profting with him in the
acquisition. and England is advised 10 act Win
speed II she proposes to obtain her share OF the
spors The latter are Of peculiar richness
This Is a district" says DR.. Smith. referring to
the region about Lake Rudolf. which Il nave
every reason to believe to be rich In mineral
wealth There is a rainfall of between twenty
and thirty-hve inches year distributed fairly
evenlv over the twelve months although greater
in summer than in winter; and the climate Is
such that a European farmer can work mere
without beinc oppressed by heat. Maize ana
cereals of all kinds, vegetables and fruits, can De
planted with good and quick results in almost
any seasO1 The markets would be amply SUI
Ncient 10 supply the artisans and merchants re-
ouired By colonists. Except in the valleys
through which a river runs, OF near the lakes
the country Is most healthy" What the EURO
mean Powers will do with all this remains 10 De
seen. Menelek's rule Is indescnpaply brutal
and needs to be modified or suppressed. but II
is plain that he and his people VIII give their
oneroies some hard work to do before they are
conquered.
How that work would be accomplished by
british hands is shown, by implicaticn IN MAJOR
Macdonald's book, which deals with the progress
Of his Government up from Mombasa across the
region south of Lake Rudolf. past the victoria
Nyanza and across to Lakes Albert ano Alptrt
Edward He served as chief engineer or the sur
vey of the railroad which is now being construct
ed from the coast inland. But his book Is not
very readable The narrative is confused, be
sides being dull and the establishment or the
British protectorate in Uganda. which shouio
have proved an inspiring theme in his hands'
Incomes wearisome and obscure. He SHOWS
however. what has been limited above. that the
British have moved with celebrity in East
Africa that augurs we'll for their success II they
turn their attention further north and combat
Menelek's assertion as to the country all the
way down to Mombasa" 1t Is regrettable that
Major Macdonald has insisted upon adherlng
closely to the military aspect OF Lugaios az
vance and the other steps In the development
Of British East Africa By paying more atten-
ton to tie country itself he would have made
better book AS 1t is, he gives only the most
casual slimpses Of tribal customs and racial
facts