HUNTING BY THE NATIVES 



economical and a political necessity. The natives are 

 very secretive and discreet, planning and preparing 

 under the very nose of the Europeans, who are al- 

 ways surprised by the sudden revolts. 



When the uprisings near the Kilimanjaro in 1896 and 

 1899 occurred, neither the government nor the mis- 

 sion stations expected them, and were completely taken 

 by surprise. Fort Moschi was saved by mere chance. 

 The so-called Christians among the blacks were in the 

 secret, and kept it well; in fact, they were to kill the 

 missionaries — as they could easily get near them — after 

 the fall of the fort. 



The interests of the white settlers and the natives 

 clash in many ways, and will do so still more as Euro- 

 pean civiHzation and ideas and ideals spread. Friction 

 will arise even without governmental misadministra- 

 tion, wilful or unintentional. 



The German government in East Africa might, with 

 great profit, follow the example of its English neighbor 

 and even go beyond it. 



For years the English government has allowed offi- 

 cials, travellers, and settlers to import for their own 

 use only a limited number of cartridges. If the natives 

 are denied the use of any fire-arms whatsoever, and if 

 the white officials, settlers, and explorers are restricted 

 in the number of cartridges they may use for self-defence 

 and legitimate hunting, then the fauna of Africa will have 

 a chance to hold its own in the struggle for existence. 



411 



