226 MOZAMBIQUE 



Man, indeed, not in Mozambique alone but in 

 other African countries also, seems to begin by- 

 studying Nature's laws, then making laws of his 

 own to render hers as fruitless as possible. Yet 

 it is better this way than the other. Man's laws 

 can be readjusted, but Nature when she lays her 

 blighting touch upon a land is implacable. With 

 Mozambique she has been bountiful and time 

 is on her side. 



The Portuguese view with some alarm the 

 exploitation of the resources of the country by 

 " foreigners " ; miscalled so, because all Euro- 

 peans, including the Portuguese themselves, are 

 foreigners in the Province. This alarm leads the 

 irresponsible portions of the community, generally, 

 as in other countries, the noisiest, into hostile 

 demonstrations which, however, never get beyond 

 the columns of the local Press. It constitutes 

 an unpleasant feature of life in the country, as 

 Europeans other than Portuguese are made to 

 feel that they are regarded as guests, that is to 

 say intruders, and no one likes to be continually 

 reminded by his neighbours that his presence is 

 objectionable to them. 



Nevertheless it is a point of view with which we 

 can sympathize. Portugal, proud of her historic 

 past, yet knowing that she has not the strength 

 to develop her territory unaided, watches with 



