The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-04-06
s WOMEN :
) AS COLONISTS. {;
Some of the Opportunities
(. Open to Them In Our /.
, New Possessions.
{ .
! BY GERTRUDE HALL FORBES


OIL. 10
44tY.sY /
Much that has been accomplished in
colonization during recent years has
Women have not hesitated to go into
new fields and take UP the burdens Of
husband or brother and in some in
stances they have even competed with
men in agriculture and other industrial
enterprises.
Since women have become a recog-
nized factor in the struggle for exist
ence money making has become as
great an ambition with them as with
men, and new countries have offered
to them opportunities which they have
not neglected.
With the opening up of new territory
in Cuba and the Philippines women
have found fresh fields for colonial
ton. 1t is generally conceded that in
whatever line of occupation they may
be especially qualified their work will
have good influence with the natives
and will be an incentive to more useful
lives
The American woman, although the
last to fall into the line of colonists,
will probably make better colonist
than any of her foreign sisters who
have entered the field before her. She
is better adapted physically, she is
used to travelling and to change of
place, and is at home in any corner Of
the earth. She is dauntless and unre-
stricted by continental traditions and
conventionalities. She has adaptable
ity and inventive genius and will bring
them to bear upon the difficult prob
lens of life under new conditions and
strange environment.
Some ambitious women who are GO
ing to South Africa will establish poul-
try farms. The native Kaffirs make
good servants and are very faithful if
treated with kindness. With the thou
sand acres of land to be had at small
purchase price, farms will prove fruit
full and profitable investments.
1t is to be hoped that our American
women will show themselves strong
and noble and prove real prop to the
colonists. The Beers admire women
who are Independent and able to care
for themselves, so very much so that
they are able to hold their own among
them without any difficulty. The field
of the female doctor has not yet been
invaded. The South African has an
Unborn horror for the man of pills and
doses, and it would seem as though
this field would be profitable one for
the gentler sex, inasmuch as she could
win her way by means of her natural
gentleness of manner and the favor
with which she is received.
Banking could be undertaken there
with no mean result. At present in
the Transvaal the Boer places his gold
in an iron bound box and shoves it
under his bed. Many millions lie idle
which could be turned to profitable in
terest if only the proper women with
the proper amount OF progressiveness
would undertake the problem
In colonization executive ability is
more essentially requisite than actual
experience in manual labor. Women
have succeeded both in trades and in
commerce and have made comfortable
livings easily and honorably.
OF the women who have ventured to
Porto Rico many have contributed
largely to the prosperity of the coun-
try The cultivation of spices is one
of the productive fields which have
been largely developed by a woman.
A sugar plantation has been a great
success under her management; also
a cattle ranch. The pasture lands in
the northern and eastern parts are
very superior.
A great advantage that women have
enjoyed in the Philippines is the rapid
ity with which land can be made prof
table. Rice grows very quickly, and
by planting a portion of her ground
with this staple article she has been
able to give the remainder proper time
for developing other products. Planta-
tons given over to the cultivation of
fruits and vegetables introduced from
more temperate regions grow well and
are profitable production. A fruit
canning establishment started on a
small basis would prove the nucleus
Of large factory. Cattle and poultry
raising Is another way in which parts
of q plantation can be utilized. Wo-
men whose husbands occupy them
selves in the commercial world might
direct agricultural and Industrial en-
terprises.
For other women who seek employ
ment that might be considered more
suitable for her sex the field of milli-
merry and dressmaking is open. Both
in our new possessions and in South
Africa comparatively little attention
has heretofore been paid to bodily
adornment. 1t is to be supposed that
coming In closer contact with Euro
pean nations viii necessitate new Gus
toms and manners among these peo-
pies. The most radical changes will
probably be noticed in their costuming.
Clever women who are endowed with
energy and taste should be able to
carve out brilliant futures for them
selves and their posterity in any of
our new colonies.
At the tea given recently by Mrs.
David Hill, wife of the first assistant
secretary of state, nearly 200 guests
from the cabinet, diplomatic corps and
congressional contingent attended.