The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1888-03-25
No White Men Wanted.

No White Men Wanted.
Six months ago the news came that a little
French steamer had gone down tho Niger
River 1000 miles to Timbuctoo, running the
gauntlet Of important tribes which have been
steadily hostile to the whites. Later details
have been received Of this remarkable jour-
ney to the famous own which no white mar
ever entered before except in disguise. The
mission intrusted to Lieut.. CARoN was, II
possible, to open a new routs for the rich
trade of the Soudan up tho Niger to the
French possessions and the ocean. 1t does
not appear that the interests Of this am
bilious scheme were advanced by the three
months journey, though many OF tho tribes
were favorably impressed by the pacific at
titude 81 the white visitors.
The crew Of the little gunboat Niger num-
bered six white men and eight natives. They
steamed for hundreds Of miles through tho
populous country Of the fanatical Fellata
who murdered LANG and tried to kill BARTH,
and who have extended their sway and tho
tenets OF MoHAMMED over a vast region In
the western Soudan.
On the way to Timbuctoo Is Bandiagara, q
large Mohammedan centre and the capital Of
the Fellata Chief TIDIANI. It was this chief
who, in the closing days Of 1886, made Ex-
plorer KRAUsE retrace his steps southwark.
after a vain effort to convert him to ISLAM.
He told the explorer that il he would become
a follower Of the Prophet lie might 60 on his
way to Timbuctoo. but no unbeliever would
be permitted to cross the States he governed.
Lieut.. CAIoN tied his boat to the shore while
be journcycd inland to visit this potentate.
whose father, years & despatched a party
with instructions to kill BARTH or drive him
out OF Timbuctoo.
Lieut.. CARoN says that Bandiagara resem-
bles a vast convent. It contains many
mosques, and prayers and religious exer-
cises are continually heard on oil sides. The
extraordinary religious fervor Of TID1ANI's
subjects seemed to the Frenchman however
to be only lip service. Certain missionary
societies have recently been trying to show
that Islam is not deeply affecting tho lives
and conduct of its black converts, who are
merely taught to repeat a tumble Of words
that they do not understand. The mission
aries will probably quote Lieut.. CARoN's tes-
timony in support of their theory.
ShtS llblhNl ShNc AID WIN tlSllOT q
gruff reception, told him he wanted nothing
to do with the French. and that il they
thought they were going to open trade with
his country they were very much mistaken.
He issued strict orders to his people along
the river to let the French severely alone.
After seven days spent In ~fruitless audiences
with TIDIANI and his counsellors, CARoN re-
turned to the river, convinced that his life
would have boon in jeopardy II the arrogant
chief had not heard OF the victories the
French had been winning over tho natives
who opposed them In other places.
The little vessel made a great sensation as
she pulled past scores of populous towns
along the river banks. After his experience
with TIDIANI, CARoN had reason to fear that
the people would give him a hostile recep-
ton, and rs he was straining every nerve to
reach Timbuctoo he avoided the villages as
much as possible, casting anchor, as a rule,
In uninhabited places. At last the tops OF
the two or three high buildings in Timbuctoo
came into view. and many people locked to
the river bunk. several miles from the town,
to see the steamboat and the white men who
had dared to venture among them. 1t did
not take CARoN long to ascertain that the
prospects OF opening trade with Timbuctoo
were futile.
This famous centre Of Mohammedan-
ism has political factions whose r~ivalries
are extremely bitter. For two years tho
Touareg element In local affairs had con-
trolled the town. and there was. OF course,
nothing to hope from tho fierce nomads
who have killed nearly every white man
they have met In tho Sahara. The visitors
were very coldly received, and were told In
plain terms that the French could find no
place where they would be less welcome.
Knowing the perhdious character OF tho
Touareg heads of the town. the Frenchmen
did not venture to remain away from their
gunboat at night, and took every precaution
to avoid a conflict with the people. They
presented the polite communications which
the French Government had sent to tho
rulers. were CURLY informed that the French
had no claims upon ~Tfmbuctoo. and had bot
ter keep away, and the only pleasure they
gave the inhabitants was when they got up
steam and disappeared up the river.
This remarkable journey shows at least
that white men have on ono occasion been
able, In their proper character. to visit un-
scathed the most fanatical OF Mohammedans.
1t also shows that the western Fellata arc
apparently less amenable to the Influences
Of trade and civilization than their eastern
brethren, who. in Sokoto, one Of the greatest
OF the Fellata States. are beginning to well
como European commerce. 1t IL quite evil
dent that IL tho French arc to carry
out their project Of extending their In
fuenos to Tlmbu0too they must nrst ooA-
quar- the country BIZ the sWsgd 1ust n n