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18 THE CRISIS are becoming somewhat uneasy over him, for he is an orator of no mean order, and has a strong hold upon the native mind. Apolosi is the articulate voice of the Fijian people-a people with whom 'Fiji for the Fijians'is becoming a motive. * * * * * * "Apolosi is a product of a missionary school, and is a carpenter by trade. He is a plebian, which makes the fact of his rise and his power the more remarkable, for in Fiji caste feeling and tribal prejudices and susceptibilities militate against the democracy from which he sprang and to which he seems impartially to appeal, and he has no hesitation in proclaiming himself as such. In appearance he is not prepossessing. He is somewhat shorter in stature than the average Fijian; his forehead is a little lower, the bridge of his nose is deeper set, and instead of possessing the melodious tones which mark the speech of practically all Pacific islanders, his tongue is rather harsh. * * * * * * "About a twelvemonth covers Apolosi's public career thus far. This career began with rumors that he was stirring up the natives and was a menace to the peace of the colony. About the same time the white population first heard of the Viti Company--Fiji being the English corruption of Viti--a concern which was to be composed entirely of Fijians. Apolosi was reputed to be the originator of this project, and to be the collector of funds for it. That the ultimate end of this movement was 'Fiji for the Fijians' there seems to be little doubt, and probably some of the speeches made by supporters of it were of the vehement sort generally associated with the nationalist agitation. Back of the efforts toward the incorporation of the Viti Company seem to have been the native resentment against the Indian coolies, by whom Fiji is being flooded, and jealousy of their economic status. "Largely as the result of the Apolosi's labors the Viti Company was launched. The directorate, it was decided, should be white, with two exceptions, and those naturally should be natives. Apolosi is credited with having a good business head, but the general opinion among those who were charged with the concern's composition was that the Fijians as a people had not reached a point which would make it safe to have Fijians preponderate on the board. But when all was in running order it was discovered that Apolosi had been tricked; that all the directors were Europeans, and these whites would not even accept the money proffered by him for stock in the company of which he was chiefly the author. * * * * * * (Apolosi thereupon addressed his people in part as follows): "'A certain thing you people of Fiji have heard of,' he said: 'you, and the white business people have heard of, too. That is the Viti Company. In the early days our chiefs were foolish, but the white people who have come have taught us many things. The Government has done well, but there is no move on the part of the people themselves. We remain just as we started. I saw this thing, and I spend many weary nights thinking hat was to become of our race. Ah! How many sleepless nights have I spent dreaming what to do. "'Sitting in this fine hall,' he continued, 'we do not think of the amount of skill and brains used in erecting it. Surely, there is no reason why we should not try to achieve greater things. I am trying to lift you from the slough of despond into which you have fallen. I would teach you to be better citizens.' "Presently he made a forcible use of the interrogative: 'Why am I not allowed in the company? Why was the man who did all the work brushed aside? I got 8,000 people into the company and now I am told to stand out. Why? Can anybody in the audience say I have stolen your money? Have I caused any disturbance in these islands? Have I tried to upset the good government of the country?'" BUILDING AND LOAD ASSOCIATIONS A SUGGESTION FROM HENRY S. ROSENTHAL In an address before the United States League of Building and Loan Associations, Henry S. Rosenthal, of Cincinnati, made a most important, and what may prove to be an epoch-making speech. He said among other things: OPINIONS 19 "In an address which I made a short time ago before the Kentucky League of Building and Loan Associations, I called attention to the problem concerning the future of the Negro, in the solution of which I believe the building and loan idea could do more than any other institution. * * * * * * "Let us consider for a minute the remarkable strides in progress made by the American Negroes, who form ten percent of our population. The director of the Federal census, William J. Harris, recently issued a document showing the details of the development of the race. Among the facts enumerated are the phenomenal rate of increase of their attendance at schools and churches, and a marked decrease in the death rate. It is very gratifying to note that the homemaking instinct has increased among them, and that they are already becoming interested in building and loan associations. As it is there are a number of such organizations that are now successfully conducted by Negroes. In the year 1900, 20 per cent of the Negro population lived in homes they owned. In 1910 this ratio had increased to 22.4 per cent In Virginia a creditable showing is made, with 41.3 per cent o self-ownership of Negro homes. "It has been shown that in the cities the infamous housing conditions of this race have brought about a far greater death rate than the general average. * * * * * * "Undoubtedly here is a vast field for building and loan associations. Its successful cultivation would mean not only much-needed assistance to our colored neighbors, but also the elimination of many plague spots from our cities and the elevation of our citizenship. "I realize that the proposed task of widening the horizon of our movement is a complicated one, rendered all the more so by the fact that the pecuniary incentive is lacking. In any other field the promote, actuated by selfish motives, would cover every inch of the ground. As a matter of fact, the professional promoter is not a stranger to the building and loan movement, as we realize when we recall the so-called 'Nationals' of a decade ago and other of the more recent date. We know that the activity of the promoter has always been harmful, if not disastrous, to the movement. The fact is that the fundamental idea of these institutions is incompatible with exploitation, for their strength lies in absolute mutuality, and on that alone is their success predicted. We must create an atmosphere along those lines among the Negro population in the cities if we hope to be an important factor in their betterment and general uplift and expect them to aid the growth of our movement by becoming shareholders and depositors." Mr. Rosenthal, who is editor of the American Building and Loan News, of course does not realize what persistent efforts have been made to keep the benefits of building and loan associations from colored people. Where, as is Philadelphia, the colored people have once thoroughly mastered the idea themselves their work compares with any in the world. THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY THE GOSPEL OF HATE No considerations of religion, education, friendship or common decency keep the average North American white man from setting up hateful American color prejudice wherever he goes. L. C. Warmer, writing from Porto Rico to the American Missionary, says: "When the Americans came to the island sixteen years ago, there was but very little color line, but now it is well established. It has probably been hastened by the presence of many officials from our southern states. Even the Y.M.C.A. has been compelled to recognize it, and the fine new building is only for young white men. I am not sure just how the native Porto Rican does count, but I presume if he is well dressed and educated, he would count for white. However, in San Juan, the Negro is much more in evidence than the Porto Rican. "The history of Porto Rico leads me to consider what would happen in Trinidad if the Americans were to take charge of that island and give to it the benefit of our boasted civilization. Instead of the four strong churches in Port of Spain, now attended by whites and blacks, and all worshipping together
