New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-31
THE GOSSIP OF PARIS.
A RISING MONARCHY IN FRENCH SoUDAN-
A NOVELTY IN SUMNER FASHIONS

United States relating the adventures OF re-
porter who had become king. Truth 49, now
ever, often more romantic than felton, for news
has just been received here that Mademoa-oeye',
a native Of Senegal. who began life as an Operator
in the employment OF the Franco-Easterh ieie-
graph Company, has become monarch Of king
dom which is twice as large France.
Mademba-Seye, or rather His Majesty, Ma
dcmba |, Is a man Of great intelligence and won
derful talent, and he may be numbered among the
founders OF the French Soudan. Together with
Colonel Bormis-D esbordes, Colonel Gallien ana
Colonel Archinard he contributed by his courage
and energy to the creation Of this great de-
pendency. In 1888, when the French troops
entered Bammako, and took possession Tor tho
first time Of the Niger, Mademba organized
telegraph service. placing this new French pos
session in communication with the mother coun-
try. Colonel DesbOrdes, in his official report, Au
that it was entirely through Nademba's efforts.
courage and perseverance that the telegrapale
line between Basonlabe and the Niger t42I
Ki0metres) had been successfully constructed. In
1888, while the line from Kita to BammaSo wa
being built, the warriors of the Samory ulo>
S, lie the greater part Of the wire destined FOR
tcegraphic purposes Alademba lmmedla@y
repaired to the camp Of Colonel BorgnsDes-
bordes. and requested to be allowed to join In
the engagements which took place daily between
the French soldiers and the Sofas Of Almany.
Permission having been granted to him. he pun
himself at the head of score of subordinate 'eie-
graph employees, and be, three days later, managed
70 penetrate into the enemys camp, and to recover
the missing wire.
This feat was only the beginning Of q long
series of similar acts of military prowess, ana III
1856 Mademba-Seye was decorated by the Presi-
.Io paruhc with the Gross OF
the Legion of Honor a reward for his cx-
c,ptdonaI services In 1890 the ex-telegraph
operator was placed in command Of large corps
of native troops which accomplished wonders ana
was known as the Mademba column. This army
corps for such it must be called, was entirely
composed Of colored men. who, followed by their
wives and belongings, formed a most imposing
tout ensemble preceded as 1t was by Jugglefs'
sorcerers and medicne-men in picturesque cos
tunes: Malemba, himself black, realizing thao
in order to maintain hi, influence over his men.
it was indispensable that he should retain GER
tain portion of their customs.
Colonel Archinard, seeing the wonderful power
welded by Mademba, conceived the project or
creating a large kingdom comprising all the
different territories the left bank OF the Niger:
and of combining its management to the man VINO
had given many proofs OF absolute devotion
to France. This plan, having found great favor
in the eyes of the French Government, Mademba
Seye started about year ago to take possession
of his kingdom, where, after a pcriious voyage,
he was enthusiastically proclaimed "Fama OF
Sansanding" which was the title used by the
ancient Bambara soyereigns Of Segou, who were.
in times gone by, dethroned by the grea. III
Had -Oumar The post he occupies is both dan
ecrous and difficult but Mademba holds it Sc
curely, and his power is daily increasing. 1t
would seem from this that telegraphy well as
journa ism lead TO royal thrones
The Chant ers have adjourned, and the Govern
ment is now SAFE at least until the opening Of
the autumn term. There was, however, still o
great deal of work to be accomplished during the
last days Of the session, and the Senate held
two sttngs most of the last afternoon being de-
voted almost entirely TO the passage Of the bill
for the reconstruction Of the Opera-Comique on
the old site on the Place Boeldieu The Cham
Der has thus at length adopted the only practical
means OF removing the eyesOre produced by the
unsightly vacant space occupied by the burned
theatre, and has, moreover, earned the good will
of all the musc-loving public by taking steps
to bring the ra-Comique within reach of the
fashionable districts.
Paris has had many opera-houses during the
present century. Grand opera has had it's homo
in three different houses, and every other form of
lyric drama from the once popular Italian opera
10 the himsiest species of opera bouffe has at
different times had its special theatre. But the
old Opera Comique was unquestionably dearer TO
the average Partisan than any of them Opera
comique as the French understand it, is a very
comprehensive term, and includes works Of varied
styles and dimensions-from such onc-act trifes
as Bon Sor, Monsieur Plantation" 10 Gounods
Faust" Romeo ct Julictte,' Meyerbeers !" Di-
norah' and " LEtoilc du NOrd' These latter. in
fact and other operas generally regarded belong,
ing 10 the more serious school, were first heard on
the stage Of tho theatre on the Place Boieldieu.
Since the unfortunate tire which destroyed the
theatre in 1897, this favorite form Of entertain
mcnt has had 10 find temporary home elsewhere,
and the complications OF the old proprietary at
one time seemed 10 render it doubtful whether a
lew Opera-C unique would ever again arise the
old site. The rights of private persons and of the
city of Paris and the partial control Of the State
contributed TO these difficulties some of which
were of a formidable haractcr. But. thanks TO
the good will and energy OF VI. Bourgeois. the
Minister Of Public Instruction, and to the co-opera-
ton of the Legislature, they have all been prac-
ticaly dealt with. and there is every reason 10
believe that in a short time q new theatre will
he built and that Paris will have in its Opera
Comiquc house provided with every modern i'm
prOvement
The anniversary of the discovery of America by
Christopher Columbus will be celebrated in October
Spain will commemorate the event by festivities
and by a Congress Mt San Lucar, as we'll as by a
grand exhibition at Madrid France is unwilling
TO remain behindhand in the celebration of a
discovery which has exercised important an in
huence on the destinies of the universe. and ac-
cordingly the Minister of Public Instruction has
ganzed and opened at the Bibliotheque Rationale.
an exposition OF charts and maps with manuscripts
relating 10 America, which are OF the highest pos
sible interest Among the number are some marine
charts dating from the thirteenth. fourteenth and
fifteenth centuries, well as reproduction Of the
l. tn llol aim Aenlfa cd In