Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 11, 2025
The record of East Africa was even more terrible for the ferocity with which constant revolts were suppressed. But worst of all was the story of South-West Africa. There were endless wars against the various tribes; but they culminated in the hideous Herero war of 1903-6. The Hereros, driven to desperation by maltreatment, had revolted and killed some white farmers.
"We must not miss the closing act of our little drama," said Don Herero, significantly. "The closing act?" we inquired. "Certainly. You do not suppose we have yet done with the brigantine?" "Oh, the brigantine. Will she dare to return, now the cruiser has discovered her?" "Of course she will, after dropping her pursuer.
Strange that these French cruisers do not understand these things better; but so it is." And Don Herero explained that the French cruisers watched the southern coasts of the island, while the English cruised on the northern shore, attempted to blockade it, and also cruised farther seaward, on the line between Africa and Cuba.
They were punished by an almost complete annihilation. The spirit of this hideous slaughter is sufficiently expressed by the proclamation of the governor, General von Trotha, in 1904. 'The Herero people must now leave the land. Within the German frontier every Herero, with or without weapon, with or without cattle, will be shot.
We were on a brief visit to the coffee estate of Don Herero, near Guines, and having expressed a desire to visit the southern coast, our host proposed that we should do so together on the following day. We were to start on horseback quite early in the morning, so as to accomplish the distance before the heat of the sun should become oppressive.
The early day is almost as beautiful as the evenings of this region, a fact to which we were fully awakened at an early hour, after a refreshing night's sleep. Don Herero was already awaiting us on the broad piazza, which we reached in time to see the slaves, directed by an overseer, file past the house towards the field.
'Everywhere in Africa, writes Mungo Park, 'I have noticed that no greater affront can be offered a Negro than insulting his mother. 'Strike me, cried a Mandingo to his enemy, 'but revile not my mother! ... The Herero swears 'By my mother's tears!.. The Angola Negroes have a saying, 'As a mist lingers on the swamps, so lingers the love of father and mother."
Colonial troubles in South-west Africa with Herero and other recalcitrant tribes were making heavy demands on the Treasury. In December, 1906, when the Budget was laid before Parliament, it was found to contain a demand for about £1,500,000 for the troops in South-west Africa.
Looking towards the southeast, we saw the French cruiser rounding the headland which formed the eastern arm of the little bay, and she had already sent a shot across the water aimed at the brigantine. Don Herero had prognosticated correctly.
Don Herero had left us for a few moments while the breakfast was preparing, and it must have been owing to his intelligent instructions that we were so nicely served, for, as a rule, country posadas in Cuba are places to be avoided, being neither cleanly nor comfortable. For strangers they are not entirely safe, as they are frequented by a very rough class of people.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking