New-York tribune., 1902-05-05
4 COLLEGE N THE WILDERNESS.


There is something extremely picturesque and
appealing TO the imagination in the Gordon
Memorial College that the British conquerors
of Khartoum have established there. Lord
Kitchener who was sponsor of the scheme,
about three years ago asked the British public
for 100000 to establish an institution that
should do its part toward piercing the darkness
of ignorance in the SOudan. In less than two
months not only was the sum subscribed. but
the subscription exceeded it by more than
100000 II will be another wear before the
work Of the college is begun, but a beginning
has already been made in organizing IFS work,
and for two years there have been carried on
at Omdurman and KhartOum an industrial
school two higher primary schools and small
training college. 1t announced In the he
ginning that no attempt would he made to
undermine the religious faith Of the inhabitants,
and that the instruction would be given as far
as possible in Arabic-two provisions that attest
the practical and farseeing wisdom Of the
managers of the institution. 1t is safe to say
that these two things. especially the former
at least for the present and for a considerable
time to come-form an indispensable condition
of success in attempting to raise the natives
from their low state of intellectual and
economic efficiency.
Tie stress laid on industrial training, which
the authorities, venture 10 Surmise. Will find
themselves moved 10 augment as they gain in
experience of the capabilities of the race with
whom they dealing, finds a suggestive par
allel in our own country The wisdom of train
ing the Southern negroes in trades and haudi-
crafts is daily receiving more impressive Illus
tration. II is daily becoming palmer that the
true way 70 overcome the helpless incompetency
that keeps an entire race down is not through
book learning and preparation for kind Of
work that il is not in general fitted To do. II
seems clear that in the SOudan the need is far
greater than in any part of the United States.
and the possibilities of industrial education arc
consequently destined to receive even more
striking illustration There is positively no
skilled native labor in the region Carpenters,
bricklayers, blacksmiths, tinsmiths, tailors and
weavers are alike wanting according TO the
English authorities on the condition of the couu-
try. They must be imported from Egypt. per
haps in many cases even from Europe, and the
country. says one competent observer. is worse
off than the land of Egypt ar the worst time of
the Philistine oppression, when no smith was
left in ii.
II seems. however. that more is needed and
that the British conquerors are preparing 10
carry ont the familiar British policy in the
Soudan. They desire educated young Soudancse
for the army and minor posts in the civil ser
vice; class corresponding 10 the railway
guards and postOttiCe servants and minor
municipal officials has still to he created 1t
may be a question how far the native popula-
tion is adapted for training on these lines, but
a college for the preparation Of native teachers
is likely TO obtain good results. All in ALL the
Gordon College is an institution marked ont
from the common 1t is a striking experiment,
in which wisdom seems 70 have influenced the
preliminary steps: and if wisdom shall continue
to guide its course when ii has fully started
upon it's mission there will he results worth
the attention Of much more favored communi-
ties