The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-03-02
11Excm rxrxnEsrs IN AFRICA.
TIE vleissitaass sfshe Algerian Ceisay--wn
% Become an EsAepssdsas Repstlses

% Become a. KaAe psadeae Repahltet
AIarERs, Jan. 3o.-The history OF French
colonization offers fine theme for speculation
on tho diversity Of national character. While
with the Angio-Saxon. private enterprise. al
though sometimes aided In cases OF emergency
b. Government. has boon tho main source Of tho
foundation and growth Of colonies. tho French
have rolled almost exclusively on tho Aetion Of
tho State for the development OF their trans
marine possessions. This was tho case with
Canada and Louisiana. which. II allowed from
the beginning to develop themselves. might
havo become In the course Of time an empire
rivalling the United States. But the all-per.
vRding action OF the Government is not the
only trouble. The too great inclination OF
Frenchmon to cross with aboriginal races. and
tho aversion Of tho solid clusscs in Franco to
emigrate. have contributed to tho failure.
Though Algeria has presented tho same pic
ture OF universal Government interference. II
must DO In Justice acknowledged that the con-
dition Of the country. at least during the first
twenty-five years Of tho French occupation.
was little adapted to private enterprise. 1t
would have been impossible to COLOMBO hero as
was done in North America and Australia.
The natives OF Algeria. however much they
NAV be surpassed by Europeans In civilization.
are not comparable to redskins or the aborici-
mes Of Australia. Evsry attempt to settle on
tho part OF Europeans. II not preceded BY tho
military occupation Of the country. would have
Inevitably ended In their destruction. Years of
war were necessary to Iuell the spirit Of resist
nnce among the natives and to establish kind
OF administration. As q conquered land. in the
literal meaning OF the word. II was unavoi,inbly
necessary to intrust II for considerable lapse Of
time to the hands OF military Governors. Civil
government would have boen quito out Of place.
rs 1t WAS only the presence OF large army
that allowed the French to keep their footing.
Rebellions were always threatening. and fire.
auently breaking out. For u long while French
sway ceased ut the gates OF the Gnrrisoncd
towns. the Arab horscmen roaming freely be-
yond the range OF the guns. This fact alone
rendered roal colonization. which is OF its very
nature agricultural. we'll nigh impossible. 1t
10 remarkable. and On honor to the army. that
In despite Of all hostile circumstances. tho
troops built villages and made roads. Tho
few settlers who ventured u establish them
solves on African soil could only till the ground
under tho protection OF soldiers. The ducaycd
watch towers and remnants OF block houses in
which they lodged are still to be seen through
out the noghborhood Of Algicrs.
The French Government itself was for long
time undecided whether 1t should retain pos.
session OF Algeria. In the first period OF the
erence to England. a strong sentiment in
France in favor OF abandoning the conquest.
1t was only in 1912 that its retention was dciln-
itvelv resolved on. About this time colonization
was first taken seriously into consideration.
But Abd-el- kader. the famous Emir. was still
In the field. and the kabyles continued to enjoy
their independence in tho recesses OF the
Dchurdchura Mountains and the plain. was al
ways In danger Of sudden inroads. A chain OF
military posts at tho foot Of these mountains
was barely able to keep them OF.
Thus matters had no very encouraging
aspect for settlers. especially as O great por.
ton OF the good soil was covered with ponds Of
brackish water or large swamps. the oxhala-
tions OF which mado prolonged soiourn In
their neighborhood almost certain DEATH
Thanks to the energy OF the authorities. the
marshes wero dried up. Owing to the planting
ofthe eucalyptus tree. the soil OF many places
which were conspicuous for their mortal MAS
ma. were rendered comparatively healthy. Be-
sides. roads had to be made. bridges to DO built
and the rivers to DO embarked. which, though
nearly dry In summer. threatened In winter.
swelled by the heavy rains. to overflow the sur
rounding plains.
From On administrative point OF view the
French deserve the highest praise for what
they have done in Algeria. The country is
sxcelent roads; deflss and rivers have been
bridged over artesian wells bored; and of late
general railway system Is beginning to de-
velop In this. the French have remained con-
sistent from tho beginning OF the occupation.
Had they only boon equally consistent in ref
brsnco to their colonial policy! But herein tho
greatest variilations arc 70 be remarked. Near
~ every Governor had his pet scheme. from the
realization Of which he eXpec ted to insure the
prosperity Of the colony. Unfortunately. few
had even the leisure to try their schemes and
those few were mortified by failure.
There was time whom the very idea Of col
onization was dscountenanced by the homo
Government. Napoleon ILL.,. given entirely to
The fantastic idea Of forming an Arab king
dom rs an annex to tho French empire dis
couraged immigration. A great deal OF the
disposablo land which might have we'll served
81. reign, to tSs Arab tribe. Who stood nowise
impossible. The Emperor was not We'll dis
generally republicans. aud hostile to the EN-
pire. He feared strong increase OF their num-
bers might react upon France In favor Of the
Napoleon was backed In his policy by great
number Of prominent military men who. part;
partly from personal motives. looked with dis
trust On the Development OF civil institutions
Emperor a1a the Of
without winning tho friendship OF the natives
Christian rule as before. The few chiefs whom
he gained to his cause hy natterng their vanity,
rebellions- OF the native. during his reign
proved sufficiently the falacy Of his hone q
winning he hearts OF the conquered race. 1t
was by the sword alone that they had been
enhdnctl; and 1t was by the sword alone that
Tiny could he kept In subsection.
In spite nf this policy on the part OF the en-
p!rn, the European element increased though
less In the rural than in the town population and
less 10 the settled than In the vagraDt classes.
The French. by nature not much inclined TO
quit their native soil, wer" tho less encouraged
to settle In tho great Mediterranean colony. as
they found there an administratlon adverse
Spanlnris. The poor, half -famishod laborers
Of Andalsia found. when they crossed the sea
their mode Of iifs much improved In COMPARE
son to what 1t had been In their own country.
Besides the Spanish ilHmigrati3n. many ital-
Der OF the Europeans In Algeria Though this
was gain. rs II served us balance against