The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-14
France,s New Prize in tho soudan.

The remarkable activity Of the French In
the Western Soudan provides every few
months fresh surprise. Within the past
three or four years they have conquered
three Mohammedan princes, and annexed
their large dominions on the upper courses
OF the Niger and the Senegal; they have
doubled the area under their control between
the Atlantic Ocean and the Niger; their gun
boats have twice been seen at the port OF
Timbuctoo; east and south Of the Niger
they have made treaties with many chiefs in
a vast region never before visited by white
men. and they have extended the limits Of
their protectorates almost to the Ivory
Coast on the Gulf of Guinea. The last sur
prising news from the French Soudan is
that on April 10 French column from Bam-
aku on the Niger occupied the stronghold
OF Segu-Sikoro. $50 miles further down the
river. next to Timbuctoo the most famous
town on the Niger. and the capital Of the
large district Of Segu.
This town is famous religious centre and
the homo Of the Mohammedan pretender
AHMADU, who has been one OF the bittereet
opponents Of French progress In the Soudan.
The French have defeated his cavalry In
several hard-fought battles. and for over
two years his power has been practically
broken, though he has still been the enemy
OF the French. AS long ago as 1862 Lieut..
MAGE visited Segu-Sikoro, and most OF the
information we have about this remarkable
negro town came from him. No white man
has visited the town since. and the French
gunboats on their way to Timbuctoo
steamed past its lofty walls as fast as pos
sble. Nine years ago AHMADU made a
treaty Of peace with the French and placed
Segu under their protection. But not for
moment has he conformed to single pro-
vision of the treaty. and Capt. GALLIENI,
who negotiated the valueless document In
behalf OF France, was not permitted to ap-
proach the capital.
All the Western Soudan believed that Segu-
Sikoro was impregnable, and the news Of
its fall has doubtless made q sensation.
Lieut.. MAGE was Of the opinion that the
town could not be carried by assault of in
fantry and that cannon would be required to
reduce it. 1t was not that Its situation
made 1t easy Of defence. but that Its fortiti-
cations are perhaps the strongest and best
that have been reared by negroes. The town
OF $4,000 inhabitants Is entirely surrounded
by wall OF earth, stone, and timber about
twenty feet high and very thick. Near the
top the wall is pierced for musketry, and on
each face of the quadrilateral the natives
could direct the fire OF two thousand muskets
upon an approaching enemy while they were
entirely under shelter.
Very meagre particulars have as yet been
received OF this last success OF the French.
We know only that AHMADUs fortunes have
fallen 30 low that while he was In hiding In
a distant part Of his dominions the French
entered his capital without striking blow.
They seized his family and confscated
$780, 900 in silver coin which they found in his
palace. The town has long been one OF the
chief centres Of trade in tho Western Soudan.
Several caravan routes centre there. its
trading boats travel far down the river. and
the fact that it Is now the prize OF the French
cannot fail to strengthen their hold upon
the great country they arc rapidly bringing
under subsection.