TSETSE AND SLEEPING SICKNESS
Sig,—There are several inaccuracies in Mr. Cleland Scott's article, Tsetse and Fauna (The Spectator, January 3rd, 1947). Game is not being " butchered " because of a theory. That tsetse depend on game for their existence is a fact Which, having proved, the S. Rhodesia Government has acted upon in clearing 6,000 square miles of game (and tsetse) and settling thereon farmers whose stock has suffered no loss from trypaenusomiasis, in country formerly uninhabitable by stock owing to that tsetse-borne disease. The clearing of another 4,000 square miles is nearing com- pletion.
No scientific worker has ever suggested that every tsetse carries sleeping sickness or every mosquito malaria. Tsetse and sleeping sickness con- tinue to spread in countries under the Colonial Office, such as Tanganyika, because of the rigid protection of game enforced hitherto. But there are signs that these territories will shortly follow the lead given by self- governing S. Rhodesia. The statements above refer to the G. morsitans group of tsetse, responsible for great loss of stock and human life. The G. palpales group of tsetse is another story altogether, but has been used to create confusion in the minds of those unfamiliar with the subject. Spread of tsetse is only one of the reasons which have determined the action of the Government of S. Rhodesia. Roaming herds of game, spreading several diseases of stock, destroying crops and breaking down fences, are incompatible with farming.
It is a question, merely, of whether East Africa is to remain in a state of barbarous nature, for the benefit of a few European sportsmen, or go the way of advancement. Large amounts of the British taxpayers' money are being allocated to promote the latter. In the eight years, 1930-7, an annual average of 33 visitors took out game licences in Kenya. Had every one of them come from "dollar" countries, what effect on the dollar exchange could this have had?—Yours faithfully,
B.72 San Remo Towers, Boscombe. J. B. DAVEY.
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