- 235 -"for the locals, but spiritual projects are never sold to the locals at all. In his report, Colonel Slatin mentioned the words of Mr. Bray, Assistant Manager of the National Bank in Khartoum. I saw no reason not to mention them, as the English merchants. Mr. Bray pointed to the progress of trade and that the locals were now asking for fine textiles like silk and others. Then he said, "And it is distressing to see the difficulty that merchants here face with the English expeditions. They complain about not being given sufficient notice and payment, and that they are often asked for the price of goods before they reach Khartoum. As for the German expeditions, they facilitate payment for them. Therefore, he advised the English merchants to pay attention to this matter and to allow the local merchants at least three months for payment. Then, over time, they will recognize the financial capacity of their clients. But before that happens, the merchants will have become accustomed to dealing with foreign expeditions, and it will then be difficult to persuade them to abandon them." (52) Kordofan Province Raids and incursions are still prevalent among the tribes of this province. Captain Lloyd wrote about this, saying, "Most of the disturbances that occur in this province result from slavery. It is hardly surprising that the locals have not changed their customs in a few years, after their province was a center for the slave trade for generations. The Nuba tribes raid other tribes, and they are raided, especially by the Arabs. Therefore, it is impossible for brave, war-loving people like these to abandon their original customs after they have grown up on wars, facing dangers, and taking what they consider their right and what they consider their property without resistance. The reason for the disturbances, in general, is either taking revenge, or for women, or livestock, or simply the love of fighting. It is reported that the young men of this era do not shy away from fighting, as their mothers shame them by saying they are not men, as if they are waiting for the slightest opportunity to prove their bravery. Therefore, women incite them with love. I do not blame the people for this, but I believe that such a people can be expected to change in the future more than the less settled peoples who are content to change their customs without resistance or opposition. And I hope that those who claim that we have not spared any effort in preventing slavery in this country will be convinced that the matter is not as easy as they claim. The Ghara tribe and other tribes do not have slaves now, and they are distressed by this loss and suffer from it." The greatest need of this province is a railway. It is hoped that a railway will be built.