The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-01-24
The Almanac or Algeria for Hs! S~-Tac
Colony AS 1t Is.
[From the LonaoD Atheneum, Jan 81


Colony AS IL Is.
From the LONDON Atheneum Jan VI
The Almanac for Algeria is Q very naHer-of.
fact little work published under tho patronage OF
tie Miristere 40 10 Guerre, and with no presen-
sions 70 any idea Of it's own-just such an almanac
as a Dictator would authorize or Pf@touans would
read-if pJDtorians ever read. Ii contains httio
70 than few facts, and still 10 vor figures; but
facts ard figures suggestive things oal tae
lii volume is far from being devoid Of interest.
In tho Of Algeria, the first conclusion we come
TO- tharks to tbe figures Of LITTLE bool, is, that
the Freuch are not oOlonizpg people. When NO
consider That territory equal ia superficial extent
10 two.thirjs OF France, and prcsen ting line Of
coast Of ESQ leagues, within three days voysgc OF
the mother country. has been partly, al least, IN
der French occupation for upwards OF twenty years,
and that tie European population exclusive ofthe
No ilitary-amouuts, even now, TO little more than
l3l Geo souls, think there can be little doubt OF
this fact. In spite OF the vol founded repugnance
of colonists Of all nations to settle under the pro-
lection Of military government, we think We may
safey afii n mat the Anglo Saxon race would have
ma55 better use Il The opportunity. The sdtprso
incr when we look more closely into statistics
In this scapty population, the Frcncl, as compared
to other nations, figure in the proportion Of fifty
two to forty. eight, or number something loss
than sxty.six thousand souls. Those who come
next on the list are, az might DO ex-
pected, the Spanlards-who may be estimated at
about thirty,t@o per cent OF the European popu-
latioD; and then, in nearly equal numbers are the
Italians and Anglo Maltese. Each Of these latter
countries is represented by upwards Of seven thou
sand souls. and forms about SIX per cent othe total
mum Der Of Europeans.
Naturally enough, the three provinces into which
Algeria is divided receive their immigrants re-
specively from those countries which nearest to
each-the western province OF Oran being the chief
resort Of Spanish colonists while the Anglo Maltese
and Italians to be found principally in the pro-
vinces Of Algiers and Constantine The English and
the Irish elemsnts scarcely be said to be repre-
sented-their joint numbers amounting to merely
two hundred and twenty one souls
Algeria, though divided, politically speaking,
into three provinces-Algeirs, Oran and Constan.
tine may be said in reality, to have been divided
by nature into two distinct zones, running parable!
to tho Mediterranean sea. To the north, the Tell
(Tellus) with its fertile SOIL fine forests, compare
lively abundant springs and miAera resources would
fer an parable field industry and wealth, if
to oil the blessings of nature could be added the
still greater blessing of good civil government.
On the south, the Sahara-though not quite realiz-
is composed Of desert tracts, with here and
there a rare oass-and is not likely to be ever
tenanted but by the native tribes which form its
scanty population. Each OF the three provinces
includes a portion of these two Zones-beng, as
it were, slices in which the lean and the fat of the
land are uIequally distributed 1t may, therefore,
be safely prophesed that in duo time the province
Of Constantine. in which the Tell portion is equato
that Of Oran and Algers put together, will DO the
most ten pting field for agricultural settlers. For
the present, the least fertile Of the three pro7in
ces affords sufficient scope for French colonization
during many years and i has been calculated
that wcnty-two millions If inhabitants might be
Introduce into Algeria without rendering its popu
latien rroportionate to that of France. At the
Great Exhibition Of all nations the products of AL
geria there exposed, Though not numerous, indicat
cd na.ural wealth which. rightly developed, would
insure the prosperity OF any colony Some mineral
specimens attracted especially the attention Of the
learned in such matters work by nj. Fournel,
published in 1919 under the title OF .sRichesse Mi
Ia Ia n-in uiv fI,ll
account Of his explorations undertaken by order of
The French government to ascertain the mineralo-
gcal resources Of Algeria. Something doubtless
must be abated from his report, which is written
with ell the enthusiasm OF a dscoverer-and there
seems some exaggeration in saying that the
under ground conquest will be the only means Of
achieving and consolidating the above ground vic
tories. Nor do the manners and habits OF tho IA
byles-as far as our knowledge extends--seem TO
fit them especially, as has been advanced. for min
ing occupations. Still. there be no doubt that
the mineral riches Of Algeria are both abundant
md varied.
deal to be saba great deal nore than can be
ATTEMPTED in an article apropos OF an almanac.
Opinions are divided on that suhjeos-as indeed
on every other-in France: some strenuousy adyo-
eating complete assimilation OF the colony to tho
mother country, while others maintain that the
continuance Of military rule i necessary for the
preservation ofthe conquest. It's perhaps, super
fluous to add, that the former opinion is thai OF
adopted by the military Of oil ranks The present
mixed regime intended to conciliate these opposite
parties, yirtu0y leaves tho superior authority n
military hands; so tbat many OF the regulations
which were Nc oct acceptable to the paytiaars o. civil
eoyeInm ent--such SIS, for instance, the erganiza.
ton CT municipalities throughout the territory
have received application, and have, In fact ro-
NAMED tead letter. Notwithstanding he royal
otCoanorU OF September, lS4!, there arc al. yet
OILY six cammunes really existing in Algeria
those Of Algiers, Bli5sh, Gran, MostagGnem, Bone,
and PLilipGSiile
The mos. curious part OF the French African
government is the adipinist1ot.on ot tho SUBJECT
native tribes. We refer to our liltls almana;
those who may wish 10 gain. with as little inte 90
tual effort as possible, some information this
head, NJ also on the mode Of collecting the taxes
among the pa;iyes, Gan important is-m N oil go
veInments) We DO Tot remember 10 have tsgu
the subject as clearly explained, IA az ieg iiaes.
ans where.
As closing remark, 10 may cay, that, in
treating OF Algeria. VIC atT2Js feet oppressed
Within painful consciousness Of injustice on 100
part Of the mother county The slight Stco
Of national interest excited by 81 warfare Eash
occupies eO,lo6 French soldiers aud swallows
Up annually millions Of the French ba0set,
the corcucgt Of Agier5 tile last ofspriGg ot an
unpopular government had never recovered the
misfortune OF its birth Prodigiss " yalor arc re-
coroed Tor day in The newspapers, and then Tor
gotten sud the nation. which still exulss at tho
memory of The campaign Of Egypt. and remembers
With pride the Pyramids ard Aboukir, has but faint
praises for the siege Of Laatcha or the taking Of
Constantine. 0f her two African expeditions,
FIUrce seems to have taken 10 her heart ouiy the
nrst-tbe siness, senaelcas, Lgyptian campaign
cudirg 10 defeat and the dtser,ion tgveit what
jcu Wild OF the generai-in chei, leaving his army
In desperate condition, Notwithstanding tho awful
pfesCLce Of thofe shorty centuries which be aver
rcd were looking on, The Algerian coHquess has
leea waniog in that romantic interest and mystery
which seem necessary 10 captivate the synpAtnie5
Ct en- neigbbors The present time is not, per-
haps. well chosen for establishing comparison DO
tween the two undertakings, and no epiaoGo 81 the
BonapaIte qCyte con now DO discussed With im-
Partially: but tho calm judgment Of history wiz,
thinl, give place to tho forlous aud pIotr acsed
warfare il which ''eyery man has done his du'y,"
and during which no general las deserted like DO
nnrarte On apcftaGzed lEo Menou, above tho
venting bulletins and fruitlcss military IeatJ
vlicE constitute the cai1paiau Of Egypt
FATAL 6cCaYNr on Tine NEwroN Beaver
Tsu3c.p "A dslIessug Gnd f,tsl accident occurred
tat Hsush RaucaG ncar tie Newton lover lallS st4.
t,cr ygstGlugy eittlucun. Mr hrucid Welts Brown
con az } u. br0vn ~ 4. Ct tits cy, snd nBncer ~