The L'Anse sentinel., 1922-12-30

Of the inadequacy and lack of adapta-
tion Of educational facilities II is great
ly to the credit Of the native African
that he has been able to achieve the
success observed in every colony.
Nor are the possibilities Of the
Africans to be judged only by. those
who have entered the ranks of civil
Ization, whether in Africa, Europe or
America. An adequate study of those
who are still In barbaric and primitive
stages will more and more reveal the
fact that the present condition of the
masses of the African people Is nor
neal and comparable with other peo-
pies at the same stage of development.
Their folklore, their handicrafts their
native music, their forms of govern
ment. their linguistic powers, all are
substantial evidences of their capacity
to respond to the wise approaches Of
civilization so that they may share
in the development of the African con-
tinent"
The progress of all peoples is de-
pendent upon cooperative relation
ships with other peoples, and the in
fiuence of the white race on Africa has
SC far been. on the whole. good, are
opinions, of the commission expressed
In the report in discussion of Euro
pean and American influences" Ex-
tracts on the subject follow:
White Influence.
"Some have thought that the in
fluences of Europeans and Americans
have been more for evil than for good.
Some have thought that II would have
been better to leave the African In his
natural condition. Few have realized
the Importance of the movements that
have been started and the changes
that have been wrought. 1t must be
stated that many mistakes have been
made and many injustices have been
perpetrated. In some sections the
Africans have suffered tragically at
the hands of selfish white explolters.
Evil Influences originated by white
people still persist in too many parts
of Africa. 1t is, however. the en-
phatic conviction of the education
commission that the gains that have
come to Africa through the white man
are far greater than the losses.
"Among the most convincing evi-
dences of this conviction are those OBJ
tained from a study of the portions Of
Africa now ruled by European nations.
The elements of life that reflect the
changes introduced by the white
groups have been the Improvement Of
physical well-being. including the de-
crease Of sickness and death and the
attendant suffering; the decrease and
often the elimination Of the power Of
witchcraft, form of oppression ex-
ceedingly general and cruel; the over
throw of inter-tribal slavery, the de-
velopment of friendly relations among
tribes formerly hostile; the extension
of the economic benefits Of the coun-
try to all tribes and the opening Of the
doors Of civilization to those who were
| formerly limited to the narrow COM
pass of their tribes.
africa is Overwhelmingly rural and
| the great mass Of her people will al
ways live close to the soil and derive
their sustenance from the products Of
the soil; but they require more than
instruction In agriculture and animal
husbandry. Personal, hygiene and
community sanitation. the simple
hnndicrafts Of the kraal or tribal VII.
lage, an appreciation Of privacy In
home life and decency in dress, leader
ship in developing suitable recreation
for the use Of leisure time, an appre-
citation of their own history, folklore
and music" Such n the curriculum oi
an adapted" education which the re
port proposes