The weakest spot in the German system is to be found
in the European non-commissioned officers, with whom
they flood the country. These men command caravans,
and are often left in charge of important stations. I know
that this has been denied by German officials and editors,
who never set eyes on Africa; all I can say is, that
in three places—Tabora, Muanza, and Bukoba—I found
sergeants in charge. To the blacks the sergeant is, of
course, a great chief just as much as an officer, and
NA T IV E GERMAN SOLDIERS AT NUANZA.
these men of the lower class naturally play the grand
chief as much as they possibly can. Most of the failures
of German colonization are traceable, I am sure, to
the intoxication which unaccustomed power creates in
men.
I quite expect people to say, “ Oh, you are a Frenchman,
and naturally you can see no good in the Germans.”
I can only answer—first, that I did see much good in
the Germans, and have already expressed my gratitude
for the kindness I received from them, and my admiration
for the conduct of some of them. In the second place,
after a few months’ travel in Africa you forget the
existence of such comparatively petty distinctions as
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Frenchmen or Germans, British or Portuguese. There
only exist two classes in your mind-^whites and blacks;
and among the whites some know how to conduct themselves,
and others do not. You judge them as you find
them.
A CLAY DOLL (FEMALE).
USIKUMA.