The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-08
The Opportunity Of France.

The revival OF the project Of Trans-Sa-
hara railway shows that Frenchmen are
aroused to the necessity of moving promptly
If they are to figure in the partition Of Africa.
In her great colony of Algeria, France has an
admirable basis for southwark expansion;
and the most effective way Of turning the
advantage to account would be by opening
railway communication with the populous
and fruitful region watered by the tributa-
ries OF the upper Niger, and OF which the
best-known centre OF trade Is Timbuctoo.
If we except the American praires, the
pampas OF the Argentine Republic and tho
plains OF Russia and Central Asia, there is
no part Of the earth where the construction
OF a railway would encounter fewer
Typographical distractions than In the
miscalled desert Of Sahara. 1t is now
known that the obstacle once sup
posed to be insuperable, the alleged diff
ficulty Of procuring water does not exist.
The waste is continually traversed by cara
vans, which are by no means confined to a
single route. the whole Sahara being dotted
with GASES, which in many instances are at
inconsiderable distances from one another.
A surveying party supported by an adequate
military force could speedily lay out a
line along which water could be obtained
quite as easily as on the road which the
Russians have completed through the
Trans Caspian territory. 1t Is true that
certain tribes which infest the western half
of the Sahara are ferocious robbers, whose
attacks have often proved fatal to small
bodies OF explorers and are source of con-
slant danger even to large caravans. The
great majority, however, Of the denizens OF
the so-called desert are peaceable folk,
who covet improved facilities OF intercourse
and trade. and would gladly see the French
exterminate the land pirates who torment
them. AS the latter are by no means numer-
Gus, their destruction, II undertaken with
the relentless energy which has marked
French treatment OF similar outlaws In
Algeria, ought not to prove difficult or
protracted task.
The experience gained by tho French Gov
eminent in dealing with Mohammedan SUBJ
jects in Algeria during the last sixty years.
should prove OF signal benefit In the extern
sion OF It's African possessions to the west
ern Soudan. 1t was noticed In Egypt during
the period Of tho Joint control over the
Khedives finances that the English, not
withstandlng their long familiarity with
Mosems In India, were moro likely to give
offence to the natives than were the French.
The latter evinced tolerance a sympathy
and even geniallty In their intercourse with
Moslems, which the English have never been
able to acquire. For this reason the French
may be ranked next to the Russians among
the European nations qualified to exercise
authority over a Mohammedan population
not be overrated in connection with the
western Soudan, where the tremendous
advance OF Islam Is one of the most
striking religious phenomena OF the pres
ent century.
A railway from Algeria across the Sahara
would mean for France the ultimate control
OF the vast tract intersected by the upper
Niger and its continents, which is ndlsputa-
bly, the finest part of Africa that is still
barred to conquest and to Christian civiliza-
ton. This would more than counterbal-
ance Germany's recent acquisitions on the
east coast. Nor Is 1t impossible that France
might eventually secure the surrender OF
England's claim to dominate the mouth OF
the Niger, or at least a concession OF equal
rights on the lower course OF the great river
Of west Africa. According to telegram
from London, the SALISBURY Govern
ment admits that some compensation
is due to France for the rupture
OF the Franco-Angllan agreement guaran-
teeing the independence OF the Sultan OF
Zanzibar. In Its Newfoundland fishing
rights, moreover, the French republic has
an asset for which England could
afford to pay large price In the
form of concessions on the lower
Niger and In an Official recognition OF q
French sphere of influence In the western
soudan. Indeed, some of the London Jour
malls friendly to Lord sAnnBuRY have Late