The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-02-06
The --latest French Colony.

Nothing could well lie more jnlune and
ingloIious than the record of French colo
nizatlou. Whether II be that an acute
form Of nostalgia dsablcs the French rs
well as the Swiss emigrant or that long
reliance on paternal government has
sapped individual energy, il is certain that
Louisiana. Lower Canada, and the more
recent settlement in Cochin China, have
exhibited the same symptoms of atrophy
and lansuor. 1t remains TO be seen whether
the last experiment in this direction, which
aims 10 provide homes IN Algeria for some
Thousands OF voluntary eNios from Alsacc
and Lorraine, Will constitute an exception
70 the rule.
The number of Alsace-Lorraiucrs who
elected TO continue citizens of France and
forsake their native provinces WAS very
considerable. Not fewer than forty thou
sand OF these patriotic refugees, selfde-
privod of the neccssarics of life, are said To
have been succored in the course OF two
years by various charitable associations.
and notably by the "Protectve Society
for lsaoe-Lorraincrs Remaining French
men," headed by Count D'IIAUssoNVILLE.
From the outset II occurred TO the Gov
eminent that these emigrants, belonging
for the most part TO an industrious and
worthy class, might he turned to account
rs c0louists, and accordingly free pas
sage was guaranteed them to Algena.
Ample concps ions of land were likewise
accorded 10y the Assembly. besides "A sub
yenton Of three hundred thousand dollars
for the expenses of installation a nearly
equal amount, subtracted from the pro-
al
purpose. and these resources were further
supplemented by half II million from the
unclaimed residue Of the so-called Ladies
Fund, the product of IA QuiXotic attempt
TO dcfray the PTussian indemnity with PIN
money. BY these Inducements md gratui-
ties rather less than nine hundred families
have been persuaded TO settle in Algeria.
Notwithstanding the appropriation Of
these sums, which appear liberal consider
ing the number Of benehcaries, and the
most sodulous fostering on the part Of the
GOvernor-G General, by the end of 1873 the
condition of the colonists had become de-
plorable The soil of Algeria IL US fertile
as that of Kansas; the indigenous Arabs
are just now less troublesome than our
Western Indians; moreover seed, some
tions, had been furnished to the emigrauts
who yet proved unable on unwilling to
cope with the minor difficulties inseparn-
bic from the situation. Hundreds of them
| abandoned their concessions, and preferred
TO beg in the streets of Algiers, and accuse
Of bad faith government which had
| honestly tried to assure them the means of
| livelihood.
The Intervention at this juncture of
Count D'HAUssoNvILLE's society, and its
attempt to fortify by renewed subsidies the
| Tagging mcttle of the Alsacian emigrants,
were unQuestiOnably well meant, but also
we may add characteristic of the French
| conception of colonization. Besides re-
| lieving the immediate wants of the discour-
| aged colonists, the Protective Associu-
ton" decided to build three model villages,
where all the conditions of health and COM
| fort should be complied with, whore the
tenant in fact might be donated with
everything, except the hardy, strenuous
| spirit which needs no swathing. one of
these pattern boroughs made to order,
| Azib-Zlmoum, some fifty miles east of AL
giers, was finished about a year ago and is
now occupied by its complement Of sixty
| families.
It would cnchont the frontier farmer of
Utah or Nebraska to find "A village like
Azib-Zamoum ready built upon the plains
and awaiting his good pleasure, All
the details OF its arrangement and con-
structon discover degree of symmetry
| and taste that must highly recommend It
| to the amiabe danes whose subscriptions
have furthered the enterprise. On a sa-
luxurious and commanding site some sixty
cottages, built of substantial mason work
and rooted with tiles, are neatly ranged
along streets of fair width, and supple
mented with lean-to for cattle, as well us
u kitchen garden. Some Of the houses have
two stories, while the smallest comprise q
cellar, two rooms, and an attic, thoroughly
| plastered and whitewashed.
| Ehe zone of land surrounding the ham,
let, cut up into good-sized farms, has been
apportioned by lot and beyond lie pas
lures which are to be graZed over in COM
| mon. The whole is girt by an artificial