The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-03

ssme Of TIE HarAships the negro Csis.
nists Must Face.

Ssme Of the Haraships the Negro Cs1s.
nists Must Face.
To THE EDITOR OF THs SuN--str: When
q young man applied for . Government
post on the Gold Coast q famous Colonial
Secretary's reply was Take Puwch's ad-
vice and don't, or Join the Wesleyan
they have the only hearse on the coast"
For American negroes who settle there.
until the third generation West Africa
has not proved more saiubrious than for
whites. A couplet OF q chantey OF the
British navy runs:
Three cheers for the beautiful Blight Of
Benin.
There few come out but many 20 In.
In Sierra Leone and Liberia unaccli.
matixed negroes even from the ropic
West Indies suffered terribly from the
climate for many years In those days
when the back to Africa" slogan. re-
popular war cry for the solution OF the
race problem.
II is. not fair to say that American
negroes have retrograded to primeval
conditions after returning to the land Of
their progenitors. Some writer's have
stated this boldly. but they have drawn
parallels between the afiuent denisen Of
squatters In Liberia Tho comparison
with the repatriatsd Africans must be
drawn rather with the condition Of the
emancipated negroes farming In the
South. There are many settlements near
Monrovia and Freetown that compare
very favorably with similar clearings In
the Georgia backwoods.
Intending emigrants to West Africa
must be prepared for . vegetarian diet
unless they carry their own stock Of
canned goods. Only the afiuent can af.
ford to buy timed viands there, and
fresh meat II almost unknown.
The American negro has earned q bad
name along the coast very unjustly. In
the Imperri country. among the human
reared In the United States. Their knowl-
edge Of civilization had enabled them to
impose on the superstition OF the COM
munity and to share In the spoils Of the
murderous real fetish leaders. This pro-
vided a text for columns Of faciie gen.
be Offset by the history OF many blameleas
II arrogant American born vice-admrals
Of the Libsrian gunboat and judges.
traders and officials.
But Akin Is neither Sierra Leone nor
Liberia. IL 10 darkest Africa. Chief Sam
thinks that the British Government fears
the commercial competition Of his cru
saders. This " amusing. a. the ofncials
vainiy try TO stimulate commercial activi-
ties among the people Of Chief Sans
dsmssne. Since wars have ceased and all
trade but In slaves 10 vulgar the lords Of
creation In vast regions OF West Africa
sit gracefully through the day while their
wives sir the soil or scour the woods
for succulent tubers Civilization 10 creat-
ing a demand for red flannel petticoats.
fashion a. usual defying art and the ex-
lgencies Of climate. But the people have
few other wants not provided by nature.
II Chief Sans followers can face the
most difficut climate in the world. II they
can exist on greatly restricted menu
and all tho hardships incidental to an al
most barbarous country. they may ex.
tract some living from the soil. very fer
tile only In small sections where Il 10 not
forest or swamp. With intelligence and
ingenuity they may be able to garner the
natural products OF the country in paying
quantities to send to the nearest trading
station. There 10 some gold, and cotton
can be grown in places.
The great power OF the United States
OF Ashanti 10 now past history. Denkera.
ASSN. Akin and Adansi left the blood.
stained federation and by request became
British protectorates prior to the war Of
1870. Juab!n then became independent,
and In 1895. after an orgy Of human sac
rifice in kumassi. the warlike peonle who
had learned much from the Arabs and
held influence far into the mysterious
south Sudan surrendered to q British
column. $4,000 slaves were liberated. the
immense Ashanti army was disbanded and
the Gold Coast colony was extended to the
northern borders.
But only the most daring of pioneers
would care to wrestle with the problems
Of life there. and the emigrants should be
warned tina, there 10 . thoroughly differ
ent side to Chief Sans glowing picture.
GsoRoE c. MusoRAvE.