St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1953-08-28

pletely from Negro students.
group between the Europeans anc
Africans: not accepted by the
Europeans and unwilling to asso.
ciate themselves with the Afri.
cans. They, the Indians, were the
tradesmen of the Black Continent
Like the Jews in Medieval
Europe and the Chinese through.
out the Pacific. they were the
shopkeepers, the middlemen and
the money lenders. They did the
work and carried on the trade the
Europeans did not care TO bother
with and the Africans did not
have the capital or know-how to
do themselves. In many instances
they were exploiters of the Afri-
cans and much enmity still ex-
lists between the two groups for
that reason.
The extent to which the Indians
at one time were willing to go to
make money is illustrated by their
behavior in East Africa. Usually
hotels for Europeans will not ac-
cept either African or Indian
guests. The Indians were able,
however, in some instances to buy
these hotels. The practice was
then to hire European manager
who might, and often did, refuse
to accept as guests relatives of
the Indian owners.
Since India has gained its indie
pendence. however, there has
come a new pride and self-respect
which no longer makes it neces-
sary for the Indian to feel infer
Tor to the European or to shun
the African. Here are just few
instances which indicate the
changing point of view.
Madame Pandit and the entire
Indian delegation to the United
Nations fought against the South
African treatment of the Indian,
but also were the champions who
led the fight against South Afri-
cas- treatment of the African pop
ulation. Their fight led to the APP
pointment of a United Nations
Commission to study the charges
of racial discrimination. This
com m ittee held it's first
meeting in Geneva on Aug. 8. Me-
hrus sister, as Nehru himself, has
many Negro friends. Among the
close friends of Madame Pandit in
this country is p. L. Pratis, ex-
ecutive editor of the Courier.
When Prime Minister Nehru
visited the United States he took
time off while in New York to
visit with Negro leaders to learn
first hand their point of view. In
Africa the Prime Minister has led
a movement to have the Indians
abolish discrimination In their
hotels and restaurants.
In South Africa the Indian
Congress has cooperated with the
Africans in their passive resis-
lance campaigns.
Now II would seem that the
shoe is on the other foot: rather
than stunning of Africans there
is fear that the Indians might
take an active role in aiding the
African people in a struggle for
greater freedom. One of the lead
ing figures in British Africa south
of the Equator, Michael Blundell.
parliamentary leader of the Ken
va settlers, has brought out into
the open the fear and hostility to-
ward Indians and India The
British in Kenya are outspoken in
declaring that one Of the essential
purposes Of federation Of the ter
ritories of Northern Rhodessa,
Southern Rhodessa and Nyasa-
land was to keep the Indian out.
There Is something like four
times as many one-time citizens
OF former British India in British
East Africa as there are Euro
peans and their number is in
creasing as well as their pre-
dominance in commerce. England,
herself. can do little about II as
India is a member Of the Com
monwealth and the United King
dom has important economic
bonds with her. But the Euro
peans in Central Africa can and
clearly intend to.
But II Is not only the fear of
competition which causes the
Europeans in East Africa concern:
among Kenya white settlers. who
see themselves sinking in a flood
of Indian penetration and native
African hostility. there are few
who do not believe that New
Delhi. through its official and I'M
official representatives. has en-
couraged and aided the rebellion
NJ the Man Man