The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1901-12-29

the mainland is locally called the Shefbro
River. Beyond the low-lying coast OF
the mainland Is q spacious rectangular
region known IA the Hinterland. which
within the last few years has been made a
British pr~otectorate and divided into five
districts. The trading centre of the pro-
tectorate Is the district of Sherbro which
is a port OF entry. Ocean-going steamers
como to II from Liverpool and the Continent
Of Europe TO deliver cargo and receive
produce. Sherbro has the great natural
and commercial advantage OF being ac-
cessible the year round. Its European
and native merchants are. consequently,
not compelled to keep the enormous stocks
OF merchandise n produce that would
be necessary were their establishments
upon a surf-beaten coast where shipment
is possible only at certain seasons.
A word should be said about the recent
history of British expansion in this quarter.
The first great extension of territory in
the Sierra Leone colony began in 1880 with
the cession OF the Sherbro by he native
chiefs. In 1883 the chiefs coded, for fiscal
purposes only, the remainder of the sea-
board as far as the Mano River, which
delimits the British and Liberian terri
tories. Although, however, the English
now possessed this coast line, IL was merely
a fringe, as they practically had no juris-
diction inland. Beyond the fringe, the
country, to which the general term OF
Mendiland is given, was ruled entirely by
native chiefs, who were continually carry
ing on war with each other, principally
for the purpose of slave raiding, This
raiding not only devastated the country
but prevented the growth Of trade and.
consequently, of revenue, as when war
was going on, the natives could neither
bring down produce nor venture to take
imported goods inland. Such a state Of
things called for British intervention and
during the administration of Sir j. S, Hay
it was resolved to adopt a forward policy.
By 1890 a British pro tectorate was pro-
claimed over an extensive quadrilateral
hinterland. the frontiers of which had been
determined by an A~nglo-French boundary
commission. The protectorate ordinance
brought about great reforms in the removal
OF oppression, in the administration OF
justice 20 the hinterland folk and in the
abolition Of slavery; and it also stimulated
the people to work and develop the re-
sources of their country. Naturally, how
ever, by it's introduction of moral principles
and the breaking up Of many native GUS
toms %repugnant to civilized ideas, the
protectorate vas distasteful TO certain
persons who had profted by the old state
of things. In the end Of April, 1898. the
discomfort of the chiefs m in a
general rising and the massacre OF a good
mar people, both white and black. In
England the insurrection was quite COM
monty attributed TO the interposition of a
hut tax, but. in the Judgment Of Mr.. ALI
bridge. who was an eyewitness, il was due
to the abolition of slavery.
The rebellion was finally put down. and
there has since been a revival Of prosperity
in the protectorate. In 1900 our author
went through the disafected parts of the
Sherbro district. and lie t~estiies that so
rapid had been the work of the people in
reconstructing their towns and villages
that, unless one had known as a fact that
the places had been demolished, n could
hardly ave believed. that such destruc-
ton could have taken place. Indeed, the
exports of palm kernels, the principal
export staple from Sherbro for the year
following the rising. were larger than they
had been for some years before. reaching.
as they did, 1883 tons. Moreover. in the
Sherbro district. the first collection Of the
now House Tax" began on the list Of Oc-
tober. 1900. and Mr. Alldridge had collected
without the least difficulty about a third
OF the whole sum levied before he left for
England on the 27th OF that month. He
expresses the conviction that the masses
of the people were not opposed to British
rule, but that. when coercion was brought
10 bear upon them by the chiefs, they were
compelled temporarily TO yield
Now let us glance al the indigenous and
cultivated products 81 this little known
region Of West Africa and also al the native
industries, which. however. will not detain
W. long. limited as they virtually are, TO
tho making Of cotton cloth and of pottery.
By far the most important Indigenous
production, both Ia quantity and value. Is
the oil palm. Not only II the tree met
with everywhere. but Ia some places II
forms great forests that are practically
iEexhaurtiblr The fruit 81 this tree IL the
palm comb. which sometimes weighs over
seventeen pouuds, and contains nearly
eight hundred nuts A tree viii produce
eight OF uite Of these connie Tho nuts
do not all npeu simultaneously they can
b.. cut three uuo. a year When upe tLe
nuts ate au Grange red unless thsy .us
guIts rho wltu gutheit-t. they Yield utIo
a. uu palm col The ul Isulm attaits a
great lrght Tho oumb gIuss uu q ahur.
tiIuk rIrm uu ta. iE-r ~ t4o leave thAt
crown thu Nrry top 81 ths tees Tho ,uttIng
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having l-suu ,HIl-.frl arr krIt fuf q Tow
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