New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-04

manner is so easy. so readable, that 1t
may we'll be classed with the lighter
literature of travel.
The chapter on the French empire in
Africa is one Of the best. The repuplc
has emerged from the scramble for COL
onies with a larger slice of territory
than any other power He. sphere OF
influence extends over 40 per cent OF
the land area and "A per cent OF the
population Of the continent. Her latest
acquisition. Morocco, will cause hHr
abundant trouble before Its peaceful
penetration can be achieved. but, on
ne other hand. the prize will be worth
rs cost, for Morocco is in reality, ana
without any reservation whatever.
white mans country" The author
nays high tribute to the thoroughness
nd wisdom Of French rule in Africa.
cot so with the Germans. They, il APP
ears. are not merely newcomers in this
exceedingly difficult field of administra-
ton: they are also less fit tempera-
mentally for life in the tropics than
either the English or the French:
Successful colonial administration in
Africa. as in all tropical countries Is
largely a matter of temperament, and the
stoiid sons of the Fatherland SEEM
.trangely enough. 10 be more quickly al
fected by the demoralizng climate ana
70 be rritated more easily than either the
English or the French. The EnSilshman
sense of justice and the Frenchman'
sense Of humor are their chief assets as
successful colonizers and rulers, but me
German colonial official who is generally
serious by nature and almost always
dOmneerng as the result of his training.
possesses neither OF these Invaluable at
tributes. The loneliness and the
climate seem to grip a German as they
never do an Englishman. and he becomes
irritable and ugly and unreasonably an
noyed by trifes
German officials rule their territories
as II they were an enemys country:
they interfere with the civilian settlers,
and drive them to English, French,
Belgian or even Portuguese settle
ments, where they thrive. And still,
with all these mistakes of administra-
ton, Mr.. Powell pays his respects TO
the farseeing policy Of the German
Colonial Office. which is looking to the
future for increasing returns. Money
Is being lavishly spent on railroads,
bridges. artesian wells and reservoirs.
on telegraph and telephone lines,
schools and hospitals and sanitation.
The foundations are being laid for q
German empire overseas.
What England believed she had won
by force of arms in South Africa 10, ac-
cording to the author, being slowly but
surely won back by the Beers. They
are the majority; they are RELOCATING
English to the status Of merely sub
sidiary language, and may even succeed
I'm making their own tongue the pre-
dominant language in all South Africa
Already the bonds which hold the new
Union TO the Empire have been con-
siderably loosened. 1t makes it's own
laws. fixes its own tariffs, and the lead
ing Boer organ OF the country openly
advocates a declaration Of neutrality in
case Great Britain becomes involved in
a European war The Orange River
Colony has reverted to its old name OF
Orange Free State. In short. 1T may
sadly perplex the historians Of the fut-
IRE to decide who won the Boer war"
The British governments attitude is a
model Of wisdom and even generosity,
and the question of the colored popula-
ton may bring Beers. Africanders and
colonials to see the wisdom Of standing
together under the British flag.
Mr.. Powell has a graphic manner of
dealing with Africa's stupendous dis
ances. and employs 1t with notable eff
fect in giving his readers a conception
Of the French empire in Africa. OF the
Victoria Fails Of the Zambesi he SAYS:
If you can picture an unbroken sheet
Of water forty city blocks in width, or
as long as from the Grand Central Sta
ton In New York to Washington
Square. hurting over precipice twice
as high as the Flatiron Building. you