XXI THE MILITARY AND POLICE FORCES 211 
the cost of the same, if it be borne at all, should fall 
on the shoulders of the home Government which 
enforces their retention. 
To these arguments those who are anxious to retain 
the troops reply : With regard to the safety of Nairobi 
and of the close white settlement around it, the great 
probability is that there is no need for alarm. But on 
this point probability is not enough. Where the safety of 
white women and children is concerned, not to mention 
the interests of the whole population, black and white, 
certainty , humanly speaking, is required. Neither the 
Kikuyu nor the Masai have ever been subdued by force 
of arms, and the latter at all events hold Europeans in 
detestation, if not contempt. It is admitted that, were 
the native population to make a sudden and treacherous 
attack on the peaceful inhabitants of the town, the 
garrison would be powerless to check them. But it is 
not a defensive force that can anywhere prevent 
attacks on an undefended town. Such attacks are 
prevented solely by the fear of reprisal. This fear of 
reprisal and punishment is kept alive by the sight of a 
military force which is seen daily and is known to be 
prepared to inflict instant punishment. Further, that 
though such a garrison is a certain expense, a consider¬ 
able proportion of that expense is re-spent in the town, 
the attractions of which are also incidentally much 
increased. 
I must confess that the latter set of arguments have 
with me the greater weight. Two companies of native 
infantry appear to constitute a force dangerously small 
to guarantee the safety of the white population. Many 
people would much like to see the addition of a battery 
of screw guns. It is probable that those of an obsolete 
pattern could be easily obtained from India. One 
p 2 
