NATIVES IN AFRICA AND CYPRUS
SIR,—My friendship with The Spectator dates back forty-six years. At Stonyhurst College we boys in the sixth form (called "Rhetoric ") had to read its leading articles to the Jesuit Community during their midday meal. The English was thought to be so excellent that we had to endeavour to translate it into Ciceronian Latin. I write to you to protest against the vagueness and the falsity of the statements made by Mr. Moore Bennett in your issue of February 15th under the heading " Natives in Africa and Cyprus." He says he made a "recent tour " of Kenya, Uganda, Belgian Congo, Portuguese Africa, the two Rhodesias and the Union. " Some tour," as Mr. Churchill might say. Nearly three million square miles ; at least thirty million inhabitants. How did he travel? How long did this tour take? What languages of Africa can he speak? Can he even speak Swahili? What does he mean when he says the natives are condemned to the " lowest and most degrading of manual labour "? Ninety-nine per cent. till the land. It is false that in the Union of South Africa natives are not permitted to practise any handi- craft or trade. I attended an exhibition of native handicrafts in Johannesburg forty years ago. Mr. Bennett writes of discriminatory and ferocious laws. Please quote, Mr. Bennett. We would like to, but do not even forbid female circum- cision! Tell us, Mr. Bennett, how many acres of land in Uganda and the Belgian Congo are owned by natives and by Europeans. I cannot fight against shadows. Not one nation, but three nations, are indicted in one short, vague generalisation! I lived in the Union of South Africa from 1900 to 1915 and in East Africa from 1919 to 1938. I am a lawyer ; so I know something of native laws. I have owned a farm for 18 years ; so I know something of native habits. Mr. Bennett's letter will be quoted as authoritative by Pravda and before the Security Council. That is the
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