The Democratic advocate., 1909-10-01
WHITE GOVERNMENT.
Ex-PresIdent Roosevelt Says Africa
WIN BE White Mans Country.

The speech made by ex-President
Roosevelt In August last at Nairobi,
East Africa, was at the time briefly
noted in The Sun, as reported in a
cablegram but the full text, now at
hand, makes good reading and is full
Of interest for those who are consid-
ering whether African suffrage should
be continued In Maryland. The bur-
den OF the speech, made to ''his Ex-
cellency the Acting Governor" ofiic-
ials. settlers. missionaries, etc, is that
the kapiti Plains and certain other
parts OF East Africa resemble "out
West twenty years ago" and have
great future before them. "The same
wealth that has come West during
the last quarter Of century will come
here to British East Africa, so like
Is the condition In fundamentals" All
that 10 necessary for prosperity is
that the white newcomers shall work
hard and pull together instead OF
squabbling, class against class and In
terest against interest The country
and climate suit the white man. II
have visited" says the ex-president,
"the homes of settler after settler,
especially those from South Africa.
both British and Dutch and saw large
families OF children OF every age who
had never been out OF the country
and were as sturdy as anyone could
wish to see them--as healthy as any
In America or In the British Islands.
think few people outside
OF Africa realize that there Ia here In
Africa real white mans country"
"A white mans country" Nothing
la asz4A If fla. -t4 4a4.. "a
tive African in the government and
development OF the country. "As this
Ia one OF the few regfons OF tho world
left which IL fit for new white settle
ment, 1t would be a crime to
the white races" said the
speaker, TO fail to take ad-
vantage Of IT," This IL 10 be done
with iuatice" TO "the black man" But
the black man, Il would seem. Ia TO
have no part in the government. II
have no patience" Mr.. Roosevelt adds
with people who sIt az home and
pirate OF self-goyernment 20 people
who have not governed themselves
and never could. You must occupy n
position OF unquestioned mastery and
leadership. The tribes here
abouts are hopelessiy incompetent to
better themselves or 10 utilize this
country to advantage without white
leadership and direction"
This II the common sense OF the
situation. expressed by the former
leader Of the Republican party Of the
| United States Just aa the new Com
monwealth Of South Africa. with the
approval Of the Brltiah Parliament
has diEfranchised the negro In bis
own country. 80 ex-preaident Rooae-
veit appears to suggest. the Govern
ment Of East Africa should exclude
the East Africans from participation
IN voting Wherever the white race
Bettics. there. In effect. the govern
mcns should be white II should be
Just and even generous 10 the coiored
races, but u should not thrust upon
them voting rights for which they are
unified This is the fair inference
I from his address nj Nairobi The ex.
( Presidents travels seem tn have OPEN
I'D hts eyes TO the abgurdiiy---got com
/ fcsaed by hts fellow Republicans In
MaFyiand--of the ballot In the hands
Of tho incompetent negro. obsefva-
tion has taught him something At
least, thie II bis rtcw Of the ease aa
presented In Africa Bnlto sun.