THE LABOUR OUESTION IN TOGO- LAND.
Pique and what must be regarded as professional jealousy simmer and seethe in Sir Hugh Clifford's language when he comes to speak of the noble German roads whieh ; broad, well-kept, smooth and straight, traversed the hills and savannahs of Togoland. For these highways of Togoland were as famous for their excellent condition and scientific construction as those of the Gold Coast were notorious for their wretchedness.
Once again German achievement and German creat- iveness are seized upon to furnish calumny with a clue or a peg upon which to hang her unclean, tatterdemalion libels. No shred of honour, humanity, or good intent is to be left the German. L,et the monster be discredited in all his ways and works ! — for do not British fingers itch to filch his land ?
All colonizing nations have built roads and railways in their colonies and protectorates and all have employed native labourers for these purposes precisely as the Germans have employed them. This is one of the first and most natural steps towards opening up and developing colonial territory.
Hence, when Sir Hugh Clifford declares that the construction of these roads in Togoland meant nothing less than a monstrous injustice towards the natives — exile from home, the interruption of their field tillage and other private affairs, in short, slavery, every person using his commonsense will at once recognize the crude exaggeration which stamps and vitiates the charge.
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