The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-08
The Sirdar and His Realn--A Land Of Copp,

In the past. They wear more clothing,
they have more wants. and are work.
ing to supply them. Formerly many
went naked, and, as there was no
security of property and few wants,
they had no incentives to save. When
we came here the taxes were levied
at the will Of the rulers. and the ricl,
native was sure to be prosecuted. Now
taxes are fairly levied and the natives
are learning that their savings Will be
respected. They are coming to have
faith in us. Our first business was to
make them realize that we intended to
treat them fairly and honestly. and ]
believe we have Succeeded. We had
also to organize the country. SO that II
might be able to pay the expenses Of
its government. We are fast reaching
that stage"
a Great Baby Farm.
"1t your native population increas-
ing3'
very rapidly" replied the sirdar.
II am surprised at the large number
OF children who have been born since
we took possession of the Sudan. The
provinces fairly swarm with little ones
under seven years OF age. During my
recent trip through Kordofan, carried
a lot of small coin with me to give to
Tie lIS NEWS vi NHiS ltdNCi'
ed ahead. and as soon as we approach
ed village we would be met by the
babies in force. Nearly every peasant
woman came forward with a half
dozen or more little naked blacks and
browns hanging about her., and the
children ran. out of such tents as we
passed on the way. The Sudanese are
naturally fond OF children, and especi-
ally 30 when lines are good and con-
ditions settled as they are now. They
want as many children and grand
children as the Lord will give tllom
and as most OF the men have two or
three wives 1t Is not an uncommon
thing for q. father to have several adj
ditions to his family per year.
what is you present population and
Its possible future?"
I'VE have to-day. I should say, at
least two millions in the Sudan. AS to
the futur cannot prophecy that with
any degree Of accuracy, although
can safely say that the Sudan could
support tens of millions II Its lands
were properly used 1t Is said that
there were twelve million natives here
bl ore the times OF the Mnhdi. and there
ls no reason why there should not be
five tim S as many In the future as there
were then. That would give us pop
uldtlOll OIL SHINY TllillouS dUu ilIle plou-
ability Is that we Will some time far
exceed that figure. Egypt. with a
cultlvahle area OF twelve thousand
square miles, has about twelve millions,
With peace, fair government and the
development Of our agricultural re-
sources along modern lines, the Sudan
may have a future beyond our concep-
Ition." II
In I<0rdOfau and Darf,lr.
your eXcelency has been travelling
on camel back through Kordofan Is
that country likely to be valuable In
the future?"
II do not see why 1t should not be-
replied the governor general. 1T Il
one Of the stock rearing regions OF this
part OF the world. producing a vast
number Of cattle and can,els. Much
| or the meat now used In IShartum
comes from Kordofan, and camels arc
reared there for use throughout thu
Lihyan and Nubian deserts, The south.
ern half OF the country Is devoted L
cattle. and Is Inhabited by stock rear,
ing people. Every tribe has Its herds
and many tribes are nomudic, driving
their stock from pasture to pasture
North of latitude thirteen, the came
\ country begins, and one finds camel