Sidney Peel

“ The Sudan used to be merely another name for sun-dried desert, even in the estimation of those who knew the country. To-day a fuller acquaintance with its resources has changed that view, and capitalists are scrambling over each other in their endeavours to obtain concessions of land. The fact is that there are immense tracts of soil suitable for the cultivation of cotton and corn. The one thing lacking is a supply of water for irrigation. ”

“ But civilization has no room for him and his like, and his inevitable fate opens the way of progress and happiness to the negro tribes.
The future of the negro Sudan is only a part of that obscure and difficult problem common to a large part of Africa, the eventual future and destiny of the negro races. The establishment of peace and security of life and liberty is only the first essential preliminary to any consideration of the question. It will not be settled in a few decades, perhaps it will not in a few centuries. Far different is the case of the Arab Sudan. ”

“ Machinery and material of all kinds will be able to come in at a reasonable cost, and it will be possible to begin to think of opening up other parts of the Sudan by means of light railways and many other enterprises which are now practically prohibited. The new railway will be completed by March of next year, and it is reasonably hoped that it will prove a great step forward in the development of the country. One very satisfactory feature of its construction is that no difficulty has been experienced in obtaining an adequate supply of native labour. ”

“ The negro tribes of the Upper Nile and of the remote Bahr-el-Ghazal have always been looked upon by their northern neighbours much as the Greeks in classical times looked upon the Barbarians—namely, as belonging to another category of the human race and by nature destined to slavery. ”

“ But as the area of cultivated land increased, and the demands for water began to exceed the supply to be distributed, the need of insuring the present and increasing the future prosperity of the country forced the rulers of Egypt to turn their eyes once more to the upper waters of the Nile, and the reconquest of the Sudan became a political necessity. ”

“ The tropical Sudan can never be a white man's country. Eventually it must depend very largely upon our being able to fill the lower ranks at least of the administration with trained natives. At present they are manned by Egyptians and Syrians. ”

“ A selected few are just on the point of passing out. Their zeal and aptitude for learning leave nothing to be desired, and the institution promises to be of great utility. Admission to it is eagerly sought by candidates from all parts of the country. The same is true of the primary schools which have been started in the principal centres. Technical schools are also doing their best to supply the lack of all kinds of trained artisans and mechanics, such as carpenters, fitters, and so on, which dervish rule had completely extinguished. ”

“ In the distant provinces and along the frontiers of Abyssinia and Darfur a state of anarchy prevailed, and the only commerce was that in slaves. As for revenue, it seemed that the whole country must be dependent for years to come for the barest necessities of administration on the revenues of Egypt. ”

“ Three things are necessary for further progress: an increased supply of labour, improved means of communication, and large irrigation schemes. Both these last mean, of course, a considerable capital expenditure. The labour question seems likely to solve itself in a few years' time. The demands for all sorts of commodities, which is everywhere springing up, is driving people to labour. Five years of settled security have already had a great effect on the increase of population. ”

“ Some of the lower tribes, like the Dinkas and the more remote Niam-Niams, were powerful enough to maintain a sort of independence against the dervishes, but they were always ready to second the efforts of the Arab slave-dealers by raiding their weaker brethren and selling them into captivity. ”

“ New Mahdis have appeared from time to time, who might have proved dangerous under a weak Government The Sudan affords a ready field for religious pretenders, but their swift suppression has always nipped the rising in the bud. ”

“ There is now housed in the College a training-school for young men, containing already nearly a hundred pupils, all representative of the highest classes in the country, going through a five years' course designed to fit them for positions as schoolmasters and cadis or other Government appointments. ”

“ The English foremen in charge of these schools report very highly on the capacity of their pupils. Indeed, many of them appear to be able to use their toes as well as their fingers, which naturally is a great advantage. ”