The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-07-21

II IcuCH ADMINISTRATORS ldNt tdi ltu
the gratitude Of the large and %inf1uen-
tial trading class In Africa by breaking
up brigandage and policing the cara
van routes. The Moslems are all
grateful because of the French policy,
which has insured privacy to the
mosques and harems and has permit
ted them to continue their schools and
colleges. and In some cases has even
subsidized such institutions.
But though France has permitted
MOslem schools to be carried on, she
has not left all schooling to the Mo
established in Senegal and elsewhere
in the West African possessions, In
which children of the various races,
tribes and religions are taught in
French. At present these schools reach
only a few thousand children in Sene-
gal, but the system Is being extended
as rapidly as possible.
Excellent roads have been built by
the French in Senegal, connecting the
various towns and supplementing the
river and rail routes to the sea coast.
Dakar, which Is situated under the
lee Of Cape Verde, the westernmost
point of land In Africa, Is the best port
on the whole west coast, and almost
the only port on that coast at which
o~cean-going vessels can tie up along
side a quay protected from the surf.
AS a result, the Of the port
10 haa,u nnI tho f-,In o,,f1 70 fhA
east starting there Is used to distribute
and collect supplies to and from ex
tensive regions in the interior. Dakar
is the seat of administration for all
French West Africa and has a larger
European population (about 3,OOO)
than any other town In Senegal or the
neighboring countries.
Nc Place for White Men.
Senegal is not a white mans coun-
try" Because of it's climatic condi-
lions it is unhealthful for Europeans
and probably always will be. The
French recognize this and have made
no efforts to COLOMBO the country. The
European population is made up almost
entirely of administrators of various
kinds, and traders. This situation has
made necessary the French plan of
organizing the country largely on the
of native states under protec-
ton.
Although cattle-raising on the grassy
plains of the upper Senegal has long
been the chief industry, agriculture
has attained a place of greater impor-
ance in recent years. The principal
lrticle of export is the peanut, and
considerable amounts of other oil
seeds, oils, hides, rubber, timber and
also are sent out. Senegal ships
arge quantities of kola or cola nuts.
These are eaten by the natives
throughout western Africa, and even
n the more remote parts of the conti-
tent, because of their stimulating
qualities.
Cotton grows wild and it's produc-
ion might be made into an important
'enegalese industry but for the habits
f the natives. They are unwilling to
ngage in the cultivation of a crop
which requires considerable steady
york and a relatively long wait for
Maturity. They prefer to raise such
rops as peanuts and millet which re-
uire little attention between planting
nd harvest.
While there are a few tribes of ma
yes in the outlying portions of Sene-
al whose members practice fetish
the great majority of the In
abitants of he country profess
Iohammedanism. This religion was
ltroduced both by the Berbers or
Moors' from the north and by near
pure negroes who came from the
est about the Thirteenth century
set up the powerful sultanate of
imbuctu. Some Of the tribes Of Sene-
II are apparently staunch Moham-
edans, but others are only nominal
Of the Prophet, preserving
Ieir superstitions and pagan prac-
much as nominal Christians con-
ned to hold to such superstitions In
lrOpe during the Dark Ages.