Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-11-06
FLOODING THE SAHARA.
Importance OF tho Results 70 10 Obtained
fFrnm Harn4rAa MnnIlv

| oil hooding tho immense basin of Sa-
harn, known as FL Juf, which in now
generally conceded 10 be the bed Of n
former inland sea. One of these plans
is 20 far in actual operation that pre-
hminary surveys are now in progress
under the direction Of M. Ferdinand de
Lesgcps, to test the feasibility of cutting
q canal from Cabes, on the coast OF
Tunis, 70 let the waters of the Mcditer-
ranean into tho great central depres-
sion. Reports from these parties are
very favorable. They find the soil free
from serious obstacles to engineering
work, generally sand, 10 great depth,
resting on calcareousfoundation. They
entertain no doubt that the work can be
more easily accomplished than the ex-
cavation of the Sucz canal
The other plan is that Of reopening
the ancient outlet Of the inland sea to
the Atlantic, at a place called Boca
Grande, or Great Mouth, and thus fill
ing with water the vast depression OF
I'll Juf, which lies far below the level Of
the ocean. This basin, irregular in
shape, extends from within twelve miles
OF tho sea-coast 10 as far south as the
region Of Azawad and Walata to the
north of Timbuctoo. The greatest
length Of this depression is given at
| about 500 miles, and the greatest
breadth at about 100 miles, altogether
covering an area Of about GO, 600 square
miles. The breadth Of FL Juf is much
greater in the south, but toward the
northwest it seems gradually to get mar
rover, terminating in the great channel
| which III former years connected il with
the Atlantic ocean. There cannot be
any doubt but that il Juf at one time
formed part Of the Atlantic ocean, and
that the connection existed within his
toric times seems clear enough. Upon
the cause which led TO the drying up Of
the FL Juf sea the classic writer's are
not very clear. 1t is recorded by Di-
odorus Siculus that, according to an
cicnt tradition, lake called Hcsperides,
in the portion of the Sahara now occu-
pied by III Juf, was suddenly dried up.
Arab traditions point out that several
depressions in the Sahara were covered
with water in A. d. 6Sl, but, since the
year 1900, the water gradually disap-
peared.
The importance Of tho advantages TO
bc gained by the accomplishment Of
this vast enterprise can hardly be over
estimated. Soudan has population Of
about 3s, 100000 Of the most intelligent
and energetic of all the African races.
They have successfully been brought
under the influence Of Carthagcnian,
Roman, Egyptian, and Mohammedan
civilization. They have formed them
selves into independent states. aud pos
sess numerous walled towns Of com
mercihl importance. They have estab-
lishcd laws and education, and stamped
out many OF tho worst forms Of pagan
superstition. They cultivate the soil,
and carry on several branches OF manu-
facture with remarkable success. The
people Of Soudan receive their supply
OF European merchandise across the
Sahara from the ports of Morocco, Al
germ, Tunis, and Tripoli-a system of
communication with the outer world
which has existed for thousands OF
years. Caravans proceeding by any Of
these routes can only make one journey
year, trayersing about 1000 miles of
mountainous and difficult country be-
fore the neArts 81 market Of Soudan is
reached. These paths, formerly used
by the merchants Of antiquity, now
serve the Arab caravans. Notwitbstand-
ing ell these difficulties, the annual val
ne of the trade between tho northern
ports and Soudan amounts 10 about
H.O0O,0O0. An easier mode Of transit
would evidently lead to large develop
ment of this trade.
The distance from Cape JUDY TO
Timbuctoo, on the Upper Niger, is
al -
being 200 miles shorter than the pres
ont routes. On the line proposed by
Mr.. Mackenzie there are no less than
forty-two stations, with plenty Of water.
He thinks that caravans could make
three journeys a year by il with great
ease than ose 10y the present roads,
Therefore, without any outlay whatever
for roads an annual trade of sl2 .O0O, 900
would soon be established. To attain
this object all that is necessary is TO
form a commercial station at Port st
Bartholomew, Cape Judy, where the
climate is equal to that of Madeira and
Canary, obtain the protection of the
Berher chiefs of the Western Sahara
(undcr whose protection the present
trade is carried on, and place agents in
the principal towns on the road ~ Tim
buctoo. The road 20 Central Africa
would then be practically opened to
commerce through a healthy country,
and from a point within nine days sail
of European shores.
With the Sahara flooded, direct navi-
cation with Europe would be estab-
hshed. And thus will also be opened q
more extensive market for American
goods. We have heard of the desert
being made "to blossom as a rose; 1t is
certainly fascinating idea that vast
and arid waste is to be covered by a
portion OF the waters Of the mighty
Atlantic. And IL this opening.up of
the interior of Africa 10 civilization
aud commerce is to abolish the African
slave trade, with all its attendant hor-
rors, then do we most earnestly wish 1t
hearty Godspeed.
LIrk and Labor.