Evening journal., 1916-08-24
HORDES Of NATIVES
At BRITA|h'S CALL
Million and a Half Are at
Hand; Army Officers
Praise Men
ARE BRAVE AND
VERY DARING

LONDON. Aug. 24-The drain OF
man power on the population Of all
the allies is enormous. though, OF
course. Great Britain, with her teem-
ing dependencies is not yet feeling
the strain like some OF her friends.
But the wastage grows day by day.
France has felt, especially at verdun.
and OF all the allies only Russia, with
her teeming millions can look for
ward 70 the future with absolute con-
hdence: she at least will have an
ample supply Of men TO draw upon
to the end
The famous explorer. Sir Harry
Johnston. computes that there are
100000 native troops from foreign
dominions at Britain's command. and
demands that this material shall be
made use or The actual white popu-
lation OF the whole of the British
Empire is under 6O.OOO,000 in num-
ber On the other hand, King George
rules over or protects something like
100000 900 Of yellow-skinned, brown
skinned. black-skinned and neutral
skinned men. women and children, Of
whom n large proportion OF the men
would make excellent soldiers. Sir
Harry Johnston says:
''I am glad 10 note that General
smuts has already testified with real
conviction in his tones to the excel
lent quality OF 'he Kings African
Rifles. whom he has found ready to
his hand in carrying out the conquest
OF German East Africa The Kings
African Rifles are. or. al any rate.
we're down 10 a few years ago. re-
cruited from among the Christian.
Mohammedan and pagan negroes OF
all that part OF East and East Cen
trail Africa. which lies between the
zambesi on the south and Somaliland
on the north.
Make Excellent Troops.
The Somalis make excellent, In
telligent and brave soldiers but are
not perhaps quite so steady. so dog
redly loyal 10 the British as arc the
men OF pure negro race. There is. In
addition. that remarkable recruiting
ground. the Anglo Egyptian Sudan.
"But there is also much fine sol
diery among the Bart. and their dis
tant allies. the Nasal Of East Africa
make first-class lighting men. OF great
Intelligence and dauntless bravery
Even allowing for the necessary
maintenance OF law and order not
only in the more settled provinces OF
the Sudan but In the recently con
quered sultanato Of Darfud. and al
contingencies in Egypt. It ought To b
possible 10 send from within the linn
its Of the Anglo Egyptian Sudan 4
the war in Europe a contingent of a
least 100000 picked soldiers. Th'
Kings African Rifles. already refer
red 70. are recruited mainly in Ugan
da and British East Africa and n
what may be generally termed Brit
ish Central Africa-namely. Nyasa
land and the adjoining districts ol
Northern Rhodesia.
"The Yao people OF Nyasaland Brit
lsh and Portuguese) have proved ovei
and over again their fighting value in
British campaigns. They we're ml
toughest opponents i'm the years be
tween 1889 and 1895. wherein strov'
completely to suppress and extirpat'
the slave tfaue OF tdht NeLlIdl AIflci
and to bring law and order into th'
lake regions. But once they we're de
cisively beaten by the aid OF Sikh
troops from India they turned roun'
in that abrupt way so characteristic
Of the negro and enlisted In our arm
les. and proved themselves in Asian
li. In Somaliland. in Uganda and Eas
Africa the best and bravest negro sol
diers we ever had under our com
mand
Anyone who was at all known q
them. like Sir Alfred Sharpe. recent
~ the Governor OF Nyasaland. couli
recruit promptly 100000 good fghtin
men among the Yaos. whom three o
four months would train sufficient,
for service. say in Egypt, and sii
months for service on the battlefield