88 EKYTHREA - AGRICULTURAI, ECONOMY IN GENERAL 



for superfluous population. We have not space in which to examine the 

 reasons for this statement. Some of them have however an importance 

 shown by their mere enumeration, as for example the climate against 

 which Europeavis contend with too much difficulty, the relative density of 

 the population b}^ natives, and their attachment to the soil of the country. 



Further Erythrea is not and never will be a purely farming colon^^ for 

 a government who understand the interests of the mother country can 

 never desire a colony which is only agricultural since in such there is bound 

 eventually to be an opposition of interests. Er\i:hrea should rather be 

 utilized for economic purposes. To this end it is important that a profit 

 should be drawn from all its various natural and social elements, and that 

 it should be worked by Italian settlers associated with natives. 



Looked at in this aspect the colony of Erythrea presents total as- 

 sets of great importance. It is the human element which, in Er\i:hrea as 

 everywhere else, has a high value. 



To solve this problem in relation to the whole rural economy- of Ery- 

 threa we must follow the advice of Marchi, who stated that not substitutes 

 for the native, but men able to direct and make use of him, should be 

 sought. It is on this principle that the present programme is founded 



