406 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 
