The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-09
MAKE NEW ENGLAND
IN HEART OF AFRICA
Great Work OF Development by
John Bull in Centre Of Dark
Continent.
.PLATEaU AS HIGH AS DENVER
Stretch OF Fine Country Thrown
Open to White Men-The
Country's Possibilities.
PLATEAU AS HIGH AS DENVER
1908, by Frank e. Car
penter.)
Nairobi. British East Africa.

Maroon, 1HiibNe-
/ have just had long talk with Mr..
Frederick j. Jackson, the acting gov
crnor and commander in chief of this
big territory which John Bull owns in
the heart of East Africa. Mr.. Jackson
came out here to hunt big game about.
twenty-five years ago, and he has been
oriSthe ground from that time to this.
He has long been employed by the
British government in the administra-
ton OF Uganda and of the protectorate
of East Africa. and he is now lieuten-
ant-goyernor and. In the absence OF
Colonel Sadler, the acting governor of
the country.
The Newest England.
Before L go farther. let me give You
some idea of this wonderful territory
which the British are opening up in the
heart of the black continent 1t is the
newest England land which has only
had life of about twelve years is
colonial possession, and which, six
wears ago, was as inaccessible as most
parts of the valley of the Congo. To-
day, the Uganda Railroad crosses 1t
from one side to the other, wagon
roads have been cut through the va
,rious provinces, and new empire.
which Is to be largely inhabited by
white men. seems to be at its begin
ming.
The East Africa protectorate is for
the most part prairie. 1t Is a great
pla teau as high as Denver, which ex-
tends in one sweep for 400 miles across
the country. and which rises almost
straight up at two or three hundred
miles back from the Indian Ocean. On
the north the plateau drops down to
the deserts of Abyssinia and Somali-
land: on the west it slopes gently to
Victoria Nyanza, and on the south,
maintaining its height. it is lost in
German East Africa. Right through
ditch. known as the Great Rift Valley.
which contains five Or six big lakes.
and about it and on its edges rise the
volcanoes of Kilimanjaro, Mount Elgon
and Mount Kenia.
This country altogether is bigger
| than New England. added to New York,
| New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware
and Mary and. 1t has population of
| 100000 natives, most of whom ten
years ago We're warning with one an
| other. Some of the tribes made their
living by preying upon their neigh
! bors. Slavery was everywhere COM
lmon. and one of the great slave routes
\ to the coast was not far away from
the line where the Uganda Railway now
4 runs,
day alsthese evils have been done
away with. The warlike tribes have
4 been conquered, and they are turning
j their attention to stock raising and
/ farming. Slavery has been practically
abolished and peace prevails every
where. The whole country is now kept
in good order by only about 1900 po-
lice and less. than 1000 English and
/ East Indian soldiers. a great part of
! 1t along the line of the railroad has
been divided upfinto ranches and farms.
Small towns are springing UP here
and there, and In time -'the most of
/ the plateau VIII be settled
/ A White Mans Country.
I. There Is no doubt but that white
men can live here. The children see
are rosy with health, and the farmers
claim that, with care, they are as Well
as they We're when back home In Eng
4 land. There are some Europeans here
who have had their homes opathe high
4 lands for over twelve years, and they
4 report that the climate is healthy and
/ invigorating. They are able to work
4 out OF doors from until 10 O'Clock In
the morning, and from 8 to 6 O'clock In
y the afternoon. and during a part of tbs
year all the day through. AS a rule
Il however, the sunis hot at midday, and
Il one should not go out without MS
!. head Is we'll protected The heat here
/ is dry. The nights are usually cool
! and a blanket is needed, AT any alti,
/ tude above 5000 feet Ice may. be found
! In the early morning, and this notwith,
!, standing we are almost on e,equator
Nearer the const.the land drops anC
! the climate is tropical, For 200,miles
n back from the Indian Ocean there are
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