The Modern Traveller

Answers

• Q34CIVILIZATION

  Does superiority in industrial or military technology justify one people governing another?

  No. (satire); rule by firepower is mocked, not justified. Satirical verse whose narrator rests European mastery in Africa on the Maxim gun alone: 'Whatever happens, we have got / The Maxim gun, and they have not.'

  We did the thing that he projected, The Caravan grew disaffected, And Sin and I consulted; Blood understood the Native mind. He said: “We must be firm but kind.” A Mutiny resulted. I never shall forget the way That Blood upon this awful day Preserved us all from death. He stood upon a little mound, Cast his lethargic eyes around, And said beneath his breath: “Whatever happens we have got The Maxim Gun, and they have not.” [Illustration ** Blood, a stout man, with Maxim Gun.] He marked them in their rude advance, He hushed their rebel cheers; With one extremely vulgar glance He broke the Mutineers. (I have a picture in my book Of how he quelled them with a look.) We shot and hanged a few, and then The rest became devoted men. And here I wish to say a word Upon the way my heart was stirred By those pathetic faces. Surely our simple duty here Is both imperative and clear; While they support us, we should lend Our every effort to defend, And from a higher point of view To give the full direction due To all the native races. And I, throughout the expedition, Insisted upon this position.

  Section VI · WIST Quotations cites The Modern Traveller ch. 6 (1898); Google Books record; Wikipedia 'Maxim gun'.