Albuquerque morning journal., 1922-11-20
SAYS AFRICA IS
An UNDEvELOPED
TREASURE HOUSE
IS a Land Flowing With Milk
and Honey; Resources
Are Virtually Unknown to
Civilization

New York, Nov. 19.-Africa is
the continent OF great mlsuudeI-
standings, rather than the DARK
continent, and as a land flowing
with milk and Money instead OF the
last frontier for romahtlclsIs
athirst for wild thrills. is the theme
Of a report published today by the
Phelps Stokes fund for an inter-
national commission. which mas
lust returned from ten months
Investigation. 49,,
Tho immense and varied physi-
cal resources Of Africa are virtually
unknown TO civilization, says Or.
Thomas Jesse Jones, author OF the
report. because previous researches
were made for private or govern
mental use, and the results were
not published. He regrets that the
popular conception of Africa was
derived from journalistic accounts
He found evidence to convince
the most skeptical that AFRICA Is
the "undeveloped treasure mouse OF
the world" with every colony pos
sessing precious metals in CONNER
dial quantities and possibilities IN
agriculture, animal husbandry and
water power that scarcely nave
been touched.
-Four general misconceptions are
limiting investment of capital IN
African industry and agriculture;
hampering the efforts of colonia'
governments, and discouraging the
support of missions. DR.. Jones con-
tinues. The first concerns natural
resources and scenery. the second
the health conditions Of the CONT
nent the third the improvability OF
the people, md the fourth the Eu-
ropean and American influences,
THE most unfortunate and un'
fair of all the misunderstanding Is
that the African people do not give
promise Of development sufficient
to warrant efforts in their behalf,
DR.. Jones reports, adding that the
contrary is shown "by their re-
sponse to the missions, govern
ments and commercial organiza-
rions."
africans" he goes on, occupy
positions of Importance in every
colony visited. There are physi-
clans, lawyers and ministers who
have completed the requirements
of European universities, and
while the number is small It is suf-
ficient to prove the capacity Of the
people.
"The clerical tasks OF govern
ment, industry and commerce are
very largely entrusted to young
African men. The mechanical op-
erations on railroads and In con-
struction are more and more being
taken over by African workmen.
Every mission gives emphatic tes-
timony to the value of the native
teachers and ministers.
"Nor are the possibilities Of the
Africans to be judged only by those
who have entered the ranks of civ
ilization, whether in Africa, Eu-
rope or America. Their folklore,
their handicraft. their native
music, their forms Of government,
their linguistic powers all are sub
stantial evidences of their capacity
to respond to the wise approaches
of civilization"
Evil influences originated with
the white explorer and still per-
slst, but DR.. Jones is convinced
that the native has gained more
than he lost through the white
mans advent.
Ignorance, injustice. unrest In
Africa will always disturb the
peace of mankind elsewhere" he
concludes. "The only cure for the
so-called rising tide of color and
the revolt against civilizations,
heralded abroad with such anxiety
by some alarmists OF the present
time. is in the development of
genuine and sincere cooperation
of peoples Of all races. based upon
an education of the native masses
and native leaders in the common
essentials of life"