Warning from Nyasaland
The trouble in the Cholo district of Nyasaland flared up again this week. Extra police have been brought in from Southern Rhodesia, and there are reports of bands of Africans attacking patrols, setting up road blocks and burning bridges. These disturbances do not seem to be directly related to the movement` against Central African Federation, and the presi- dent of the Nyasaland African Congress has called for an end to the violence. However, it is significant that these incidents have occurred in the areas where white settlers are most numerous and where many Africans are installed as squatters on European estates. The pattern is familiar: economic hardship and the break-up of a traditional society leading to sporadic outbreaks of violence and confused political unrest—aggravated by the controversy over Federation. This is what happened in Kenya before Mau Mau and what will h given in other territories unless positive steps are taken to deal with the problems created by the disruption of African society and the impact of white settlement. There is some recognition of this in the nine principles presented last week by the European Elected Members of the Kenya Legislature to the delegates of the European Electors Union. The question i3 whether Mr. Blundell will be able to carry his constituents with him towards a more liberal attitude. Coming after Kenya, Nyasaland may help them to make up their minds.
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