The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-06-25
Hens ano Gnistrllanu.
THE FAMINE IN ALGIERS.
bslism--The Locust Slaughter.

Horrible Tales Of Murder and Can't
bslism--The Locust Slaughter.
Paris pdSy 2sD Cor. Boston Postl
Dispatches from Algiers continue to be
of the most deplorable nature. The famine
is widespread and sharp, and in the splen-
did valley of the Chelif, in the heart Of the
grain-grawing country, a caid Of Zemarah,
who ruled, a year ago, over 35, 200 souls, re-
ports to-day the figure of 81, 600 as his pop
ulation. In one small town, Mostagenem,
from January 10 April, 1,089 people we're
officially registered as dead from lack of
food, and in Mascara, another town of about
5000 inhabitants, 2,540 persisted of hun
ger, from October TO March. The sides of
the road are piled with tho dead, and bod
les are strewn about the fields in the vicin-
ity of these places. Trials for murder and
canibalism are of constant occurrence.
The Arabs daily risk their lives for
q chicken or n quart of corn. The
account of a trial has just reached Paris
where the COtT ddssiss Of Oran condemn
ed TO death four chieftains who had Joined
a band, organized for the pillsge of grain,
to keep their families from starvation. The
same mail brings the details of another
trial. AT the public market of Orleans
vile, a Kabyle chief, named Ben Ali, had
stolen from q shop two small oaten cakes
NhAAtu VNtttAtcf uhh WIN Ahth thINlullN
concealed under his bournous, was pro-
ceeding to n retired spot TO feast in peace
upon his scanty but precious booty. His
stealtby movements attracted hungry eyes;
he was followed and surrounded whilo de-
vouring, by a troop of famished Arabs,
who threw themselves upon him TO obtain
his food. Ben Ali drew his knife and bat
tied like q mailman for his g~alettes; a gigan-
tic, skillful fighter, he killed Diilali at the
onset, and wounded and laid dying at
his feet two other men. But num-
bers ~overpowered him, and a dozen
wretches at last secured his cakes and
fed, leaving Ben Ali with many q bleed
ing cash upon the ground behind them.
ut was my life l defended" said tho dus-
KY chief in court 81 was expiring with
hunger, and but for my weakness, by the
prophet l would have slain a score of
them" The court rendered the verdict
that the mar in fighting for his bread was
struggling for life, and he was condemned
for manslaughter-to his great delight, as
in prison he was sure Of being fed.
The Government, civil and military, have
oXerted themselves in every way to allevi-
ate the general distress of the colony
The Archbishop Of Algiers had received in
that city upwards of 500 unprotected chill
dren, some of whom had fed from their
homes in the interior, TO avoid being eaten
in their own families. They were properly
cared for, and having Thorn in hand,
his eminence announced his, intention of
rearing them in the Catholic faith; but
Marshal de MacAInhon declared, that at
the proper time thoy must, onthe contrary,
be delivered up 10 their relations, IA m
such proceedings az the Archbishop's would
occasion the ]itterest feeling among the ma
tiyes. The dispute was a lively one, and
the churchman came to Paris to request tho
intercession of the Emperor, who interced-
cd and supported the Governor General;
30 the Archbishop went back to Algiers
with a broken nose-and was rightfully
served.
Locusts have appeared throughout the
province of Aumale in the colony, and tho
troops and natives have been put in requisi-
ton for their destruction, receiving n gov
rnmen reward of two and a half francs for
every hundred weight of the insects do
stroyed and gathered. Many a hungry
vagabond will fill his belly, many n family
will be kent alive by the locust slaughter