Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-08-28


usual in introducing new crops and
could also protect the health Of those
who are to serve as pioneers. Then
Africa possesses labor supply that
adds to its cheapness, docility and
great endurance.
"As early as 1856 cotton was intro
duced and raised successfully on the
slave coast of Africa. During the Civil
war the price Of cotton became so high
that English merchants Of Manchester
raised fund to encourage the cultiva-
tion Of cotton In west Africa, hoping to
rival the United States. Nothing came
Of this project, however.
1.-THE former efforts to grow cotton in
Africa have been made with white men
who do not thrive in the torrid zone.
Emperor William, acting upon the ad-
vice Of some merchants and a consul
in this country, decided to make the ex-
pertinent with descendants Of Africans
growers, and for whom the climate
would present less danger than it would
for white men. Therefore, a year ago,
Booker T. Washington was asked to
name for this service three Of his ex-
pert graduates from the Tuskegee In
stitute and also a capable Negro to
serve as superintendent.
u. N. Galloway, born in Tennessee. a
graduate from Fisk University, and for
ten years instructor in agriculture in
Tuskegee Institute, was selected as su-
perintendent. A salary that would
make a politician smile was given him,
besides all his expenses. Sheppard L.
Harris, Jno. Robinson and Allen Burke,
all graduates of the Tuskegee Insti-
tute, and each knowing we'll several
trades, including architecture, carpen-
try, agriculture, blacksmithing and
dairying, were the assistants chosen.
Their salaries were also good. They
all know all about cotton raising.
1.-THE greatest secrecy has been en-
Joined about this enterprise. The per-
sons engaged in 1t have been forbidden
to relate any facts about their opera
ton; but from special sources Of infor-
nation 1t has been learned that great
success Is being attained, and that 9TH
er skilled Negro farmers will be quietly
taken to start other plantations.
1.-The region Of the present expert
ment Is Togoland, north of the Gulf Of
Guinea, and the scene Of the American
slave trade. Togoland is the smallest
Of the four German territories. The
others, Kemerun and German South
west Africa on the west coast, and
German East Africa on the east coast,
besides being larger are more temper
ate in climate. Togoland is about 400
miles north Of the equator, and lies be-
tween the gold coast on the west,
which is a dependency of Great Britain,
and Dahomey on the east, which Is
under France. The area Is $4,000 square
miles, a little larger than South Caro-
lima, and the estimated population Is
$500, 900. On June 20, 1899, the Euro
11o
were Germans.
"Togoland was declared a German
protectorate in 1884, and is governed by
an imperial commissioner assisted by a
secretary, an inspector Of customs and
a committee Of local merchants. The
town Of Togo has a population Of 5000,
and the military and police service con-
sists Of seven Germans and 250 natives.
Maize, yams, tapioca, ginger and ba-
nanas are cultivated to some extent by
the natives. most Of whom are Of the
eve race. Cocoa, oil plans, caoutchouc
and dyewood grow in the forests. Two
cable connections with Europe have
been established. Togoland imported
in 1900 sS19,9 in goods, the largest sin
gle item being cotton fabrics.