Mr. A. J. liounteney Jephson, perhaps the best of Mr.
Stanley's officers, protests in the Times against the small modicum of praise given to his Zanzibari followers, and the general indifference to the interests of the Negroes, the "lawful possessors" of Africa. The remonstrance is needed, particularly as regards the absence of regular powers, and therefore of regular responsibility, in the leaders of expedi- tions; but Mr. Jephson pushes his argument too far. Its logical conclusion is that we should abandon not only Africa, but India and Australia, if not America too. The theory upon which Europe has proceeded in the occupations of the last three hundred years, is that no race can claim a continent of which it obviously can make no good use, and that even direct conquest is justifiable when it is necessary to secure the first conditions of civilisation. It may be doubted whether the conquest of Peru was justifiable, though that of Mexico was ; but in Northern America, Australia, and savage Africa, all the conditions which excuse the use of force existed or exist to the full. The Redmen and the Australian aborigines would never have improved, nor will the Negro, unless he is drilled into tranquillity. The tribes on the Congo have had three thousand years of independence to show their capacity in, and with every natural advantage of soil, river, and minerals, are savages still.
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