4o6 ROOSEVELT IN WILDS OF BRITISH EAST AFRICA 



great future for the land which was so rapidly falling under the care 

 and intelligence of these men. He asked from them good treatment 

 for the blacks, the natives of the land, to the intent that civilization 

 should be to them a blessing instead of an injury. As for the large 

 population of East Indians, who had made their way into the country 

 during the previous Arab rule, he thought they might become very 

 useful members of the community, developing regions specially 

 adapted to their methods of agriculture and introducing plants fitted 

 to the soil and climate of certain districts. 



On the whole, however, it was Mr. Roosevelt's opinion that this 

 pleasant plateau region was destined to become essentially a white 

 man's country, an outlying province of the British Isle which might 

 be made to resemble the home country in its conditions and products. 



In that fertile soil and cool air could be grown wheat, potatoes, 

 apples, and other productions of the temperate zone. The grassy 

 plains, browsed over by such multitudes of antelopes and zebras, could 

 be made to feed great herds of choice cattle. The wild olives which 

 grew on the hills suggested another form of agricultural industry. 

 The trees of the region, while chiefly mimosas or other thorn-bearing 

 plants, could be varied by trees yielding valuable lumber of many kinds. 

 Already a settled country, it was easy to foresee for British East Africa 

 a highly prosperous future. 



As for the natives, though there were among them warlike tribes, 

 they had none of the untamable fierceness of the American Indians. 

 They were readily amenable to good treatment and could be employed 

 as farmers, herders, or in other occupations suited to their tribal tradi- 

 tions and customs. The Masai, the most warlike of the tribes, were 

 already being usefully employed as cattle herdsmen and suitable work 

 might be found for every tribe. 



Most of the tribes in this region of Africa have herds of goats, 

 sheep, and especially of small humped cattle, in which they take great 

 pride. These are kept at night in enclosures of thorn-bush to save 

 them from the attacks of lions or leopards. It is curious that the only 

 use made by the natives of these cattle is for milk. They do not think 

 of using them as draft animals or of feeding on their flesh. Even 

 when on the verge of starvation'their cattle are safe from the butcher's 



