Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-22

+, trous condition has been a matter OF
world talk for years. A review-outline
can give glimpses only with the native
life of the Kongo country CMr. Ward en-
ploying the spelling which is abandoned
| by the American board of geographic
names), it's domestic customs, sports
superstitions, warfares, legends and re-
| ligious ceremonies.
! authors personal familiarity with his
| subject is evidenced in his refusal to &C
cept from a village chief generous por-
! ton of human flesh: of his removal OF a
camp site owing to the offensive smell
of human flesh. which was being cooked
on all sides: of his visit to slave de,
| pot, where victims were to be fatteneo
for menus. and of the rescue Of four cap
tives attached to stakes and immersed
in water to their chins. who were being
soaked into a delicate flavor preparatory
to their being killed and eaten-and yet
| weighed for and against. the writer con-
tends that the central African natives are
not the altogether degraded race that one
! might infer. "They never had a chance
Persecution has always been their heri-
tage. First they prosecuted one another
and then were prosecuted by others. He
believes it is as sure they will improve
under good guidance las it is unfortu-
nately sure that Europeans of an inferior
moral and intellectual standard. prompted
by greed. who have been thrown among
| them, have in too many cases assimilated
d
qualities Home life does not exist
Women and very young children dwell
together, and the men lead primitive
club life of their own. Twins are good
killed at birth. No record is kept OF
dates which seems to show that kongo
wOmankind is blssfully free from the age
line.
Mr.. Ward states very frankly that no
high motive took him to Africa. But, as
results are the only things worth count g
in the world. his work In the kongo
makes this world his debtor. The illus
trations contain many idols. masks. Wea-
ponds and other curious treasures which
Mr. Ward has gathered. studies of native
types. scenic photographs and splendid
showing of bronze groups and statuettes.
some OF which won for the author gold
medal prizes at the Paris salon this year.
THE PASSING OF THE SHEREEFIAN
EMPIRE. BY r. Ashmead Bartlett.
author Of Port Arthur; the Siege
and Capitulation." New York: Dodd,
Mead & Co.
Morocco. says Mr. Ashmead- Bartlett. is
a dying nation. already marked by alb
sorption into the great system of Euro
pean-African colonies. 4 single blunder
permitted by a French officer at Casa
blanca a little more than three years ago
precipitated the situation which has led
to the present conditions in Morocco,
with the sultan. Moulai FL Hafd, vir-
tually a vassal of Europe. At first obser
walton. says this author, who draws his
information from direct sources, having
been a witness of the most important
scenes of the late campaign. it may ap-
pear that the new Sultan of Morocco is
firmly established on his throne. having
succeeded his brother. Abdul Azziz and
defeated the chronic disturber of the
peace, Bou Hamara. But in point of fact
the sultan is financially bound hand and
foot At any time the customs receipts
collected by the state bank can be with
held from him. His tenure at Tangfer
depends entirely upon the good will and
the satisfaction of the powers Of Europe.
Mr. AshmeadB Bartlett writes bitterly of
the eagerness with which England &C
coded to the French plans for the extern
sion TO the latter country Of practically
dominant power i'm Morocco. Evidences
of his intense British prejudice appear
throughout this large. imposing and al
together interesting book. He evidently
regards the ''peerage" as a token of high
est civilization, for he found a copy of
this work remarkably preserved in the
midst of the ruins of the house at Casa
blanca after the pilaging. the only thing
In the building unspoiled. and he says
with delightful British naivete: 1T was
not until l saw this record of the house