The Portuguese colony of Angola has been seen in the past few months as the victim of a dictatorship—a dictatorship that holds Portugal in an iron cage and would do the same to her colonies. No one had heard much about this country (population 4,300,000 black, 200,000 white) until the Portuguese liner Santa Maria was seized by opponents of Dr. Salazar. Since then, stories from Angola of intimidation, savagery and atrocities have been making the headlines. And what started as an internal disturbance has gained international magnitude and caused extreme embarrassment to the Portuguese Government. The Government argues that its overseas territories are not colonies but overseas departments of a unitary Portuguese state; but so far it has convinced no one.

The growth of Nationalist movements in Angola, and the persistent unrest there have broken down the pretence that there is calm and peace, as well as Portugal's oft-mentioned claim that there is no racialism in her colonies.

Since 1957, the dictatorship has mounted strong repressive measures in Angola to subdue the Africans. Several leaders of the popular movement for the liberation of Angola have been gaoled, as well as many Africans who have refused to show their allegiance to the regime. Not one of these has yet been placed on trial.

Atrocities

In a communique issued by the General Overseas Agency, a department of the Portugese Overseas Ministry, the government denied that it's forces in Angola were carrying out barbarous repression or committing atrocities. They also stated that there is no foundation whatever for these accusations— but from student reports that have been received and read by this reporter there is more behind the headlines and denials than meets the eye.

In June, 1960, in the township of Catete, 60 miles from Luanda, the capital of Angola, police armed with sten-guns fired on a group of Africans demonstrating against the arrest of an African leader, killing 30 and wounding 200. To spread further terror, the police visited the villages of the demonstrators the following day and razed their homes to the ground.

The communique continued. There is no foundation for the allegations that the Portugese forces are. committing atrocities and horrors. Yet the Archbishop of Canterbury (Or. Ramsey) stated, "That Christian pastors and teachers have been killed, and churches. schools, and villages have been destroyed."

The mounting repression has caused a steady stream of refugees to pour into the various countries around the colony. Among the latest were 10 African students who arrived after trudging through thick jungle and deserted plains for 33 days in order to avoid arrest.

Students' Statement

University students from the Portugese colonies, including Angola, issued a statement (in November, 1960), to the Portugese people:

"Our main wish is to link hands with all those who want to join us in building up our countries in a democratic way . . . But, if our hope for a future of close co-operation with Portugal is not to be deceived, an end must be put to the preparations now being made for a colonial war which will shed our blood and sacrifice the blood of your youth in vain."

The ruction of the government was swift. On December 30, 1960, they removed the executive committee of the Association of African Students and replaced it with Portugese officials from Lisbon.

To What End ?

In an address to the Portugese nation on November, 30, 1960, the Portugese dictator boldly announced that the Portugese people would under no circumstances leave Africa, and that they would stay there with plough in one hand and the sword in another and if necessary, give the blood from their veins to do so. "Whatever may be the difficulties we find in our way, and whatever our sacrifices we have to make to overcome them. I see no other attitude to adopt but to continue."

Educational Progress

Against such a background the story told by students of Angola, about the various methods used by the Portugese Government to stunt the educational progress of the Africans needs no further elaboration.

In the interior, where most of the schools are boarding institutions, the Angolan students spend most of their time working on farms instead of studying.

In the townships and villages, the situation is not much better. The native children can attend only a rudimentary school where the most backward methods of teaching are used. Children in such schools are forced to do eight years of primary education instead of the normal four given to the "non-indigenas"—" indigenas," is a name used by the Portugese Government to designate all the people who have not gone through the process of "assimilation"—so while a Portugese student takes 11 years to complete his primary and secondary education, the "indigena" needs' 15 years if he passes all his examinations first pop.

The responsibility for educating the "indigena" has been given to the Catholic Church.

In the schools, pupils are taught the elements of writing and reading. The teaching of history consists of a few superficial facts; and the unsavoury aspects of Portuguese history are taboo. Because of the "assimilation" policy, the pupils are forbidden to use their mother tongues.

Identity Cards

After successfully completing his education, the pupil, if he wants to proceed further must pass an examination qualifying him to have an identity card, unless his father already has one.

Often the identity card is obtained at a cost of gold equivalent to the weight of the card. Having the means is not enough. The applicant must prove himself worthy of the card by actually demonstrating that he has been completely "assimilated" into the Portuguese way of life. A representative of the government must testily that the applicant eats, sleeps, enjoys his leisure hours, dresses, etc., like a Portuguese. Most of the Angolans are unable to pass the rigid tests set for them, as the wages they receive are too meagre for them to afford the way of life of their governors. So most can not obtain a card either for themselves or their children. Only 0.7 per cent, achieve "assimilation."

Besides the identity card, African students must carry a school card issued by their respective schools. Otherwise, they can be rounded up and sent to labour camps.

In summing up, the Angolan student is able to study only under the most difficult circumstances due to a regime which tries with all means available to stunt his natural development.

It is foolhardy to think that the "winds of change," sweeping relentlessly across Africa, will stop at the borders of Angola.

[The facts and figures given can he easily checked of time. January 2, 1961. The editors and staff of Salient do not necessarily agree with the political statements made here about the Portuguese government.]

—Meha.