6
THE HESPERIAN
I
And now comes the news of the termination of a grca
strike in Australia. The strike was of about two months dura
tion. It was not started in the same manner in which strikes
arc instituted in this country; by workmen banding together
and attempting to compel employers to give them
higher wages or shorter hours or both, but, in this case,
the trades unions demanded that employers of labor
should not employ any laborers who were not members
of any organization. That such a demand was ab
surd was shown by the result of the strike. The trades unions
did not succeed, although they comprise a very formidable
body in Australia, and although the strike spread until it em
braced nearly every industry carried on there. Why did the
strike not succeed? In the f.rst place the organization of la
borers made an unjust demand. Is any one so foolish as to
to believe that it is not the privilege and'right of every em
ployer of labor to hire any one he chooses, or to discharge
anyone he wishes to, provided that one docs not conduct him
self in a proper manner, or does anyone think that a laborer
has not the right to work for whoever he pleases. Labor is
free to all, and no organization, be it trades'union or any
other kind of union, has the power to dictate to any ope out
side of its own individual members.
The employers in Australia recognized this fact and leagued
themselves together to thwart the unjust plans of the unions.
It was not long before the more moderate unionists declared
that this federation had carrird the matter too lar and after
two months struggle they gave the employers the victory, and
justly concluded that the non union men had as perfect aright
to work and live as they.
There can be no doubt that Stanley by his recent explora
tions succeeded, beyond the most sanguine hopes, in reveal
ing a great deal of the hidden history of Africa. He braved
and overcame hardships that only a man of his courage and
firm will would have the determination to meet. The object
of the expedition, the relief of Emin Pasha, was attained
and Stanley has been applauded. Hut while his praises have
been sung by nearly every one yet there has been quite n con
troversy over his actions while he was in Africa. It has been
alleged that he acted with "relentless and purposeful sever
ity" toward the natives. We are not able to say whether or
not this allegation is true, but even if it is not true of Stanley
we know that othei explorers have acted shamefully towards
the Africans. They have been the authors of some of the
most atrocious deeds ever heard of. They consider themselves
released from all laws as soon as they set foot upon the soil of
Africa and, regardless of any obligations they may be un
der to their own country, these explorers take possession of
anything in the way of supplies that they may need. They un
hesitatingly put to death Africans that come in their way and
in fact they carry on a system of brigandage there.
Will the Africans ever see the light of civilization if such
a mode is maintained? Missionaries are being sent into Af
rica to civilize and Christianize her people, but it will be al
most impossible to do this as long as persons, claiming alle
giance to a nation that desires to possess and strengthen the
African nation, place such obstacles in the way. The Arabs
arc not the only ones that hinder the contending nations from
coming into the possession of Africa. A great deal of thedifF:
cuhy lies vith the men who compose the expeditions that are
sent into this foreign country. We arc inclined to believe
that one of the late papers hit the nail on the head who -n
editorial contained ir it concluded' by saying, "The whole
business of exploration in Africa calls for thorough overhaul
ing at the hands of the government, as the spectator suggests.
If the deeds which Stanley and his rear-guard have done in Af
rica arc necessary and have any wise purpose in view, then in
God's name let them be done under a lawful flag, a public
commission, and the articles of war, and make the perpetrat
ors report to the constituted authorities of some civilized trib
unal for such of their acts as call lor explanation and apol -
ALUMNI AND FORMER STUDENTS.
Professor Hruner .has recently received a collection of
about 650 beetles.
,G. H. Maghee expects to resume his studies at the Uni
versity next term.
'88. Roscoe' Pound has .been admitted to the bar. Suc
cess to you, Roscoe.
Miss May Uund, formerly of '93, was greeted by old
friends in the halls one day last week.
Harry Englcson, formerly a member of the class of '90,
visited the University week before last.
T. G. Maghee, jr., at one time a member of the class of
91, is at present residing at Rawlins, Wyo.
N. W. Peters, '91, has left school to take the position of
United States revenue collector at Nebraska City.
'88. H. P. Barrett as reporter and H. E. Grit.t as business
manager of the World Herald at Council Muffs are making a
grand success.
84. G. W. Botsford is studying for the degree of Ph. D.
at Cornell. At the same time he holds the position of associ
ate professor of ancient history at that University.
Dr. A. G. Warner was surprised when he learned thct his
friends in the East had placed him in the field as a candidate
for the office of superintendent of charities of th nUtrirt nf
Columbia.
'88. J. S. Smith started for Europe last week. He in
tends to take a course in the German universities with a view
to giving most of his time to his specialty of agriculture. The
scientific seminar saw him safely aboard the train.
Will Reed, a member of the class of '90 of Darmouth
College, was among the V. M. C. A. boys last week. .He
held several private meetings at different places, and besides
he gave a lecture before the joint meeting of Y. W. and
Y. M. C. A's. His Sllbicct wit Tt. V...I r 1.- ! ...
sionaries." He r.nishcd iiis work here by an address to the
V. M. C. A., Sunday afternoon, December 14. Mr. Reed
is a forcible, earnest pleader for the cause, and his meeting
proved to be very beneficial as well as instructive to nil who
attended.
The following communication, sent by an unknown, has
reached ik. We presume that it will be interesting to the
alumni, but particularly so to the class of '86.
Dear Hbsperian: The returns indicate that a convention
of the girl babies of the class of '86 would be well a ten S
Here is the record up to date: "cnuqo.
wm nfa ITiS,,Cr W-'n!er' girI ,,orn September, 1889.
W' 0wen Jones, girl born June, 1890. ' 9
Wilbur C. Knight, girl born September, 1890.
Chas. S. Allen, girl born Noi ember, 1800.
iOr a CUSS Of elevnn nut nl -ll 1 .r r . .
SlitT- " ?
m