The New York herald., 1871-02-14
ITALY AND TUNIS.
The Difficulty Between King Victor Emmanuel
and His Highness the Bey.
Piracies Of the Rif-Their History
and Present Consequences.
Italy's Threat Of War for the Protection Of
the Trade Of the Mediterranean.
The Bey of Tunis, His Sovereignty,
Cabinet and People.

During the past few days we have reported by q
series of cable kilograms from Europe, dated in
Florence and London the fact that an international
executive difficulty had arisen between his Majesty
King Victor Emmanuel, OF italy, and that OF his
Highness Mohamed-Sadok Tacha, Bey OF Tunis, in
the Barbary States, and that the diplomatic CORE
spondence OF the two potentates was broken or and
war likely 70 cnsue between their peoples In
quence.
HISTORY.
A HERALD correspondent, dating his despatch in
London on the 9th inst, supplied the following IN
| formation on the subect:-A very serious difficulty
| is likely to arise between the government or his
Majesty King Victor Emmanuel and the Bey OF Tunis
on the subject OF the piracies of the Riff ana their
abatement During the session OF the Italian Legis-
latye Chambers yesterday the Minister Sgnor We
nosta made the announcement ''that the difficulty
with the government OF Tunis not yet adjusted"
He the Minister) added '.that the Italian govern
ment was disposed to press the subject TO an early
issuen
| Speeches were subsequently made by several
members OF the Italian parliamentary opposition,
who urged In the str ongest terms the sending OF
| feet to Tunis, in order TO repress the outrages
| which were said to have been committed by the
| naval marauders who nestle on the African coast
near the Mediterranean Shore ana are, as has been
alleged, sheltered by the Bey and his officers.
Following this report next day we had a telegram
| from London which announced:-The government
| OF Queen Victoria has been notified that an envoy
| from the Bey OF Tunls Is the way to Florence
with instructions TO settle the questions In dispute.
| ana that his EXceency, Hussen Bey, has left Tuns
| for Florence, charged with power ito settle the
| questions at issue between Tunls ana Italy,
On the 18th OF February the HERALD correspondent
in Florence telegrarhed to London, and thence to
New York by the cable the following important
inteigence:-I am enabled TO report the fact that,
in consequence or the interruption Of diplomatic re-
latons between Italy and Tunis, the Italian Consul
at Tu mis- has confided the subjects OF Italy the
protection OF he Austrian Consul serving there"
This statement indicated that the negotiations,
whatever they may have been, had failed, and that
the United Kingdom Of Italy was likely to undertake
the work which England promised at different
periods OF late years to accompsh-the clearing Of
| goodly portion Of the coast OF Africa and the
! line Of the Mediterranean Of the presence Of an
| organized band OF hereditary pirates, VINO live on
the spols which are drawn from the profits OF peace
ful traders by the exercise OF armed violence.
| The great Powers OF Europe have been convinced
! during many years past-as 1t was, indeed charged
openly by the late Lord PalnerstOn-that the Bey OF
I Tunis wlnked at the operations Of the Riff pirates
and that, too, for the matter OF cash considera-
Gals In Greece hitherto connived at the robberles
| money levies-aye, murders-which were perpe-
trated by the Greek brgands tourists and casual
visitors IN the mountain districts OF the Archpe-
lago.
| The execution OF justice on the Riff pirates was
| delayed, however, from time to time and postponed
rom year to year, as no single one Of the Christian
, governments was anxious TO 10 to actual war with
t-ae Tunisians, more particularly since 1t became
| known that the Bey had organized n respectable
| army and was backed by force OF desperate men,
and that the Sultan OF Turkey would be very likely
to take part in the struggle In behalf OF mis- suzerain
| In Africa.
| No single European Power was exactly prepared
| to hazard campaign such as that undertaken by
| Great Britain lately In Abysslnla against Theo-
dorus, and England it may be, did not careto police
the African coast gratuitously and at considerable
cost for the benefit OF Christendom.
| SO the pracies OF the Rif have been continued.
AMERICAN LOSSES AND WARNING.
American commerce the Barbary coast has
suffered at different times in our national history
very serious losses in consequence OF outrages per-
petrated trading ships by the swift vessels OF
the Rlr pirates, displaying at times the Tunisian
nag With respect to the adjustment OF the diplo-
! matte differences which ensued between the United
] States ana the government OF the Bey In conse-
| quence Commodore NOW Admira) Porter Is a very
| excellent authority, his name being known from
Tanger TO Tuns bold and very efficient civilizer
| and for the redress of wrongs
| THE GOVERNMENT OF TUNIs-THE POWER ANSWER
ABLE.
For the present outrages ana their consequences
! the Tunisian government, peculiar institution, is
| answerable
| Let us see what the government OF Tunis is. How
| Is IL constituted?
The regency of government OF Tunis has, since the
year 1875, been under the suzeranty OF Turkey. The
| family that has occupied the throne since 1891 is
l1neally descended from Ben AltTourki, native OF
! the Island of Gambia.
The executive government of Tunis is peculiar in
It's local administration, although in It's general
| features conforming to Turkish law.
| The succession to the throne is entirely according
to the forms Of the Ottoman Porte, from which the
Beys Of Tuns receive their charter OF authority snd
almost the only token OF independence left to the
latter If even that may be 80 termed, IS the privi-
| lege that allows them to coin money. Even that,
| however. is done In the Sultan's name.
The regency is divided into twenty-rour districts
administered by cadis who are appointed by the
Bey OF 1uns. The subdivisions Of these districts
are administered by khaliras (caliphs) and scheiks
! who pay annual tribute to the Bey.
Justice is meted out by the Bey In person, ana
law courts are, therefore, unknown.
The ruler OF Tunls holds public audience or
divan twice in every week, ana there and then
hears all complaints renders his decisions and
Furnishes Offenders.
THE BEY.
The present Bey is Mohamed-el-Sadok.T .Tacha.
bey. born in 1913, and son Of the Bey Sidy- -Ahoin
He succeeded his brother Mohamed- Bey to power
on the I'D OF September, 1859.
HIS HEIR
The herr presumptive tO the throne Is Sidy.Ali,
born In 1917 elder brother Of the regnng sovereign
HIS GARNET.
The Tunisian Cabinet consists OF the following
oficials--
Mustapha- Khasnadar, Prime Minister and Minister
OF Foreign Atalrs.
Ahmed.Zaruk. Minister OF War
MOhamed- -Knasnadar, Minister OF Naval Afars
and Governor Of Gouotte.
Aziz- Bu-Attur. Minister OF Finance