Evening journal., 1922-12-05
Uncle Harry Talks
About 'DdrkeSt Africa

Uncle Harry. why Is Africa so
often referred 10 as Dark Cont
I nent2 asked Jimmy.
Because 10 Is so full OF Hons and
tigers and sleeping sickness and
plaques and swamps and savage
tribes and all sorts OF terrible
I things" eagerly answered Joe. be-
fore Uncle Harry could collect his
/ thoughts.
That's the idea OF a good many
people have about Africa" replied
Uncle Harry. But not so very long
ago the western part OF our own ma
tlon was known as the Wild West,
and all sorts OF terrible things were
noised about 20 discourage immigra-
uon TO that part OF the country. But
In spite OF these horrible tales Of the
Indians and the desert, hardy pio-
neers went right ahead, and the
West has been populated and culti-
waited and developed with good re-
suit. The difficulties have been over
come with the passing OF time, and
all the land and mineral resources
and waterpower OF this great and
rich country have been built up and
utilized aud enjoyed by Increasing
numbers OF people.
But what makes you think that
could be done with Africa, Uncle
Harry questioned Helen.
''As the world grows more thickly
populated and lie resources are more
heavily drained. new countries, or
old ones which have not been culu-
waited or exploited. are sought by far
sighted nations and groups OF indi-
vlduals In order 90 meet the needs
and demands OF the increasing, ever
exactlng population. Not so very
long ago talked 20 you about Aus
tralia and tonight III try 20 give you
little idea OF what Africa has in
store for those who are hardy enough
20 grasp for her opportunities.
The investigations OF group OF
international experts, known as the
African Education Commission have
recently been made known through
the report Of the Phelps-Stokes Fund.
This report has brought 10 the atten-
ton OF the public a good many
things that we have never thought
about before IN connection with
Africa.
First OF all they say the popular
idea OF the natives Is all wrong. All
the inhabitants OF Africa are not
wild. bloodthirsty savages ready 10
pounce on the intruder and tear him
limb from limb. Their customs and
traditions are not those OF the Euro
pean races. but the tribes differ from
each other just as the different Eu-
ropean races do.
Then there IS the notion that the
greater part Of Africa is full OF
swamps and plaques. This too, IS in
correct. Parts OF this country, as
we all know. are torrid and not suit
ed 20 the temperament or physiqu'
OF the white man, but there are also
parts where the climate is temperate
and healthful. The presence and
advice OF a group Of sanitary and
Iclvll engineers would soon work won
ders in Africa"
Think what william Gorgas ana
General Goethals did In the Panama
district" said Helen. 'If they had
few ike those in Africa, there
would De some 4AlAhA ~ NN~A+t~'-
But what is there in Africa eX-
cept lions and tigers and ostrleh
feathers" said Joe.
Well" said Uncle Harry slowly
"there are diamonds. ivory, copper
coal rubber. rich agricultural posi-
bllities-In fact nobody knows exact
lv lust how much there is in Africa.
II Is an unopened store house Of un-
limited resources. when you realize
that this continent Is four times or
nearly. the size OF the United States
and that It has nearly one and
third times the population OF this
country. and what Is more important
that very little has been done in the
what might be done with Africa is
way OF tapping her wealth-we,
enough 90 keep your Imagination