The Portland daily press., 1881-05-10
The French Attempt on Tunis


The Regency of Tunis, about to be occu
pied by the French and annexed to theil
Algerian colony, lies between Algeria on
the west, the Pashalic of Tripoli and the
Desert of Sahara on the south, and the
Mediterranean sea on the north and east
covers an area variously estimated at from
10000 to 10000 square miles; and contains
probably, 100000 inhabitants. The reign.
ing Bey is Sid Mohamed- -el-Sadok, who be-
came in 1871, virtually Independent of the
Turkish government, and has established in
his realm, individual and religious liberty, a
constitutional government and many of the
improvements of modern civilization. The
capital city, Tunis, is situated close by the
ruins of ancient Carthage. The entrance to
its harbor is commanded by the fortified
town of Goletta, with which it is connected
byrailway. Into the harbor of Tunis empt
les the river Medjerda, in the valleys Of
which and its tributaries the principal oper-
ations of the invading army are likely to
take place. The objective points of the
French forces at present are Beja and Kef.
The former is town about sixty miles
west from Tunis, and the latter, which is
strongly fortified, lies twenty-five miles fur
ther south. Kef is now occupied by the
French, and the fall of Beia is imminent.
Sixty thousand Frenchmen are marching on
it.
The preteXt for the French movement ON
Tunis is this: Certain tribes of nomadic
Arabs who usually pitch their tents on the
Tunisian line that divides the two old Bar
barry states have been making incursions
over the frontier and plundering French
colonists. Their nominal suzerain, the Bey
is unable to prevent their inroads. The
government of Algeria is able and glad to do
that, and eager to secure possession of the
rich lands open to it. For Tunis offers
great possibilities to commerce. 1t is enc Of
the most promising regions on the Southern
shore OF the Mediterranean. Its forests can
yield supply, apparently unlimited, of
cork-a wood the supply of which has be-
come scarce and its price high. The Re-
gency also contains great deposits of iron,
and-it is said-argentiferou ores abound
there. The yield of grain is good. Shou Id
the French Republic acquire the land and
develop its resources, France would come
into the possession of the most valuable col
ony that ever did homage to its flag.
The temptation to the conquest of Tunis
is therefore strong, and has been yielded to
with impetuosity. Under the pretext of
Furnishing that marauding tribe, the Klo-
mfrs, the French army will over run the Re-
gency, depose the Bey, and in the end an
mex the territory to Algeria. No opposition.
except from Italy, is to be apprehended 1t
is extensively ruHored and generally be-
lieved that England, when she acquired Cy-
prus, consented to the French occupation of
Tunis. Germany shows no disposition to
interfere in the matter. Any action that di-
verts the attention of Frenchmen from AL
SAGE and Lorraine will be grateful to her.
Italy has real cause fer complaint. Thirty
thousand of her people live in Tunis and
cultivate the soil and trade there. Her mer-
chants have in their hands the greater part
Of runisian commerce, and own consider
able part Of its arabic lands. Her ports are
nearer 20 it than those of any other Europe
an power. But, without allies, she is un-
able to cope with France; and allies are not
to be found. Her diplomatists can do moth
ing, and she is in no condition to 60 to war
single-handed. So Tunis slips from her
grasp.
The action of France is not commendable,
but promises to result in success. II is
clear case of spoliation, like our robbery of
Mexico; and promises to turn out as for
tunately. California has certainly become
more prosperous under our rule than it could
under Mexican rule. Tunis will do better
under French President than under
Moslem Bey. In both instances we have
evidence of the truth of the old world max
i'm that might is right-evidence that lovers
of fair play will dispute to the end of the
world.
The enemies of France have however this
consolation: The rumor of extensive argen-
tiferous ores in Tunis will inevitably lead to
the formation of many mining companies.
Frenchmen will hasten to take stock in these
companies. About the time dividends are
expected assessments will come. Then
France will fall to cursing Tunis and regret
ting its land hunger and Improbable rapac-
ity. Rapacity that does not pay is always
condemned by men-even by Frenchmen.