The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-05-17
A VIEW e,y TrMBUcroo.

ity of the English in Africa awakened
the Gauls to a realization of the danger
they were in. They saw that they would
not be able TO resist any sudden move on
Great Britain's part so long as they were
practically outside of the city and de-
termined to reclaim that which had long
since been conceded to them. Response
bility for taking possession of the city
was disclaimed by the government, and
the act was said TO be wholly unauthor-
lied Nevertheless it was noticeable
that the ministry declared m the cham
Der of deputies that there could be no
question Of evacuating Timbuctoo. The
French flag had been raised, and 1t. would
be an insult to French valor TO lower it
voluntarily.
Tinabuctoo lies on the borders of the
Sahara, about nine miles from the river
Niger. It has a population of about co.
600, which is greatly increased during
the season of trade, from November TO
January. The houses are closely packed
together and are mostly built of clay
and stone. Some of them are two sto-
ries high and show considerable taste IN
their decoration. The port Of Timbuc
too is at Kabara, on the Niger, which
has vast artificial basin, but is access
ible for only four or five months in the
year, the stream at other times being too
shallow for navigation
The most valuable traffic is by cara
vans, for which TiInbuctoo Is the CEN
tral station of northern Africa. Gold
dust Is the great article of trade. The
merchants of Timbuctoo are usually
agents of those at Mogadore, Morocco,
Fee and other places IN northern Africa.
The inhabitants are mixed population
of negroes, Tuariks, Bambarras, Man
dingoes, Arabs and Fulahs.
The city dates from the twelfth CEN
fury. but it was long known in Europe
only by reports Of native travellers until
1t was first reached by Major LANG IN
1876 and furtively visited by Caille ID
1928. Barth, the great scientific traveller,
kpeat seven months therein 1858 and col
f1ected lot OF valuable data. He was
the last white man to reach the city till
DIR. LEM went there in 1890 disguised as
Mahommedan pilgrim.
The town is not healthful. Numerous
pools of stagnant water between the city
and the Niger breed fevers. There are
no public squares or gardens, and the
only verdure Is four or five sickly little
trees. They only public buildings are
the mosques, and 10 European has ever
entered them except Caille. Schools are
connected with the mosques, and here
also are collections Of manuscripts, many
of them doubtless Of much historical
Importance, though Barth translated and
published the most valuable OF them
Most OF the inhabitants can read and
write and know large part OF the Koran
by heart. Some of the men are renown-
ed for their learning. LenZ says that II
he could have spared the money he might
have purchased some very Interesting
manuscripts.
Timbuctoo today is only the shadow OF
its former self The time was when the
town did large trade with the Mediter-
ranean states. Sultan FL Kai Of Morec-
CO planted wooden posts clear across the
desert to mark the best route for cara
vans between his domiuions and Tim
buctoo. The Tuaregs have ruined this
caravan route and almost depopulated
the town.
It is still, however, the natural center
Of commerce and the principal town OF
the upper Niger. With Timbuctoo IN
their hands, the French will control a
thousand miles of navigation on the great
west African river and may make the
place center of large influence for the
extension of their authority and trade.
There are at present no means OF estl-
mating the future growth and prosper
ity Of inhospitable Timbuctoo with the
assistance Of the railroads that are sure
~ coming.
Dailv advsrt;sor. Is cents per