The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-12
Frances New African War.

L
The news from Tlmbuctoo shows the won
derful progress that is making In the i'm
provement Of communications In Africa.
Just two weeks after an appalling disaster
has overt6ken the French force near Tim
buctoo, until recently one of the most
inaccessible OF places, all the world is in
formed Of the details. As soon as possible
after the news reached tho French force in
| Timbuctoo that seventy-nine OF their com
rades had been massacred by the Tuaregs.
a vessel was despatched up the river 800
miles to Segu for requirements and sup
plies. From that point the news was doubt
| less despatched with all possible haste. $50
miles further up the river to Bammaku, one
OF the southern French posts on the upper
Niger. This station Is about 100 miles in
land. but 1t is connected by telegraph with
st. Louis. the capital OF Senegal. At st.
Louis the dispatches we're transferred 10
the Atlantic cable, which joins various
points on the west coast OF Africa with
Europe and civilization.
Col. BONNER without any authorization
from his Supporters. had taken it unon him
self to seize TimbGctoo. The fact that he
permitted the force with which he later left
that town TO b. surrounded and over
whelmed by the Tuaregs. shows that he
underestlnIated the strength and feroCity
Of these dangerous enemies. The entire
region around Tlmbuctoo Is comparatively
level The topography Of the district
offers no great natural advantages for de-
fence. BONNER permitted himself to DO
surprised. and IL Is probable that he had not
even taken the precautions to throw up
earthwOrks around his camp,
Three hundred well-armed men. mostly
Senegalese natives, enlisted and trained by
the French Government OF Senegal. Mt last
accounts were holding Timbuctoo. They
have six cannon and the enormous advan-
tage OF military training and improved
weapons. The disadvantages Of their
situation are the probability that n largo
part OF the people view the presence of tho
white intruders with the utmost disfavor.
the numerical superiority of the Tuarcgs.
who are bent on their destruction. and the
position Of the unwalled town. which has
no Notifications. II lies on n level and is
easily accessible from every side. Capt.
PHILIPPE sent word. however. that ho was
confident he could hold the place until re-
endorsements reached him.
Supplies for the French force had already
b'th lOINdTueu lToin ceSu DeioTe neNS III
the disaster was received. Undoubtedly all
available succor has since been hurried
north to the beleagucrcd handful OF men on
the edge of the Sahara.
Ever since CARoN and JAIME led tho way
down the upper Niger. in 1897 ard 1882 al
most to within sight of Timbuctoo. Franco
has been stcadfast In her purpose to pos
scss that town Some day. The time. in the
opinion Of the authorities. was not vet ripe.
and the ncws that her troops hud occupied
Timbuctoo came to France ms great sur
prise. The rash and unauthorized act OF
Col. BONNER has me: with disapproval Mt
home but the lilo has been cast and France
cannot now withdraw without sacrificing,
for years to come, all her interests in vast
region Of Africa.
The treaty OF 1890 between France and
Great Britain secured to France the control
Of the entire navigable part OF the upper
Niger as far as Say over COO miles bclow
Timbuctoo. In other words. Franco con-
trolls 1900 miles Of navigation on tho upper
Niger. clear around the great northern
bend OF the river. TimbuctUo is at tho head
OF this bend. 1t lies midway on this long
stretch OF navigable waters. 1t is the key
to the situation. and France must face the
consequences OF BoSSIER's precipitate act,
with u determination to hold that which
has been acquired in her name. With
drawal now would involve loss of prestige
that would cost Franco very dear in the end