The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-04-17
A NATION OF PIRATES.
THE RIFFS HAVE PLUNDERED VESSELS
FOR CENTURIES.
France Has Determined to Wipe Them
Out. and incidentally to Change the
Map of Africa.

Map of Africa.
1t is generally supposed that pirates
no longer exist, except in the lurid
literature sold to small boys. This is
a mistake. France has just fitted out
three Warships for the purpose Of wip-
ing out nation Of pirates, and Spain
stands ready to help France If any
help be needed.
The pirates are the Riffs of Morocco.
Long before the dawn of the Chris
tian era these people were pirates, and
they are just as much in the business
to-day as ever. Century after CEN
tury they have plundered on sea and
land, and none Of the great powers
have been ambitious to declare war up
on them and bring them to terms.
This is all the more strange for the
reason that the great modern guns OF
the English mounted on the rock OF
Gibraltar could almost throw q pro-
jectile across the strait and into the
country inhabited by the pirates.
Riff means 1.-THE coast in the native
language, and while the Riffians are
nominally the subjects of the sultan OF
Morocco, he has as much control over
them as he has over the Indians OF
Alaska. All Of the resources of Moor
ish ferocity, cruelty, craft and power
have been employed to bring the Riff
fans to terms, but without success.
The sultan of Morocco is not peace
full gentleman by any means, ana
deeds of gross inhumanity are OF
common occurrence with him, but he
is not the equal OF the Riff pirate ia
these matters.
The Rifscountry is. not extensive, be-
ing but So miles wide and 210 miles in
length, but if the sultan could control
it it would yield rich returns to his tax
gatherers. Moreover, it could be made
of immense commercial value. as it
includes all that part of Morocco front
ing upon the Mediterranean sea, rum
ming from the city of Ceuta, which is
directly opposite Gibraltar, to the
boundary line dividing Morocco and
Algeria.
A few weeks ago swarm of Riff pi-
rates in their peculiar little boats
called feluccas sailed out to the French
ship Corinte, overpowered the crew
and plundered her. While they were
at work the Spanish steamship Seyilla
came to the rescue of the Frenchmen,
but the pirates swarmed up on the
decks of the Sevilla, killed five men,
gathered up iot of booty and then dis
appeared.
When the news of this outrageous
act reached the French people they
were angry, but the statesmen Of
France were NIGHTLY pleased. The
outrage has given them an excuse for
descending upon the Riff country, con-
quering it and adding it to their al
ready large possessions in Algeria.
There would be no use in appealing
to the sultan of Morocco for redress,
| for, as has been sttaed, he is power
less to punish the Rifiians. He could
be made to pay immense damages FOR
the depredations Of his nominal sub.
jects, but France prefers to seek her
| own vengeance and collect her OWE
damages. These latter will probably
| take the form of the whole of the Ri
country, and, If this be accomplished
it will be the first step on the part OF
a European power to break into the
territory of the sultinate Of Morocco.
Morocco is classed, with other small
portions of Africa, under the sinister
head of ''unappropriated." But il tn,
plans of the French succeed this will
have to be changed, as well as tn,
map of Africa. If the Sultan Of Mo
rocco should show fight against til,
French he would be in danger Of los
Ing the whole Of his kingdom, as othe
European nations would not be likel.
to Interfere In his behalf while Franc
and Russia are so closely attached.
Not the least curious thing about til
Rifiians is that nothing, or compare
lively nothing, is known about them
although their country Is nearer L
Southern Europe than any other Il
Northern Africa. The reason of thi
is their barbarous cruelty and hostilit
to all strangers. The most venture
some tourists never travel into thei
territory, as such venture would |,
certain death. Two or three men b
Disgusting themselves as Moors hay
within the past twenty years succeed
ed in making some investigation Of tn
country, but nothing of certain an
extensive character has been CLEANED
1t is estimated that the populatio
of the Riff country is about 10000
They are not Moors, but come {
Berber. or aboriginal stock. They NJ
Mohammedans, but they would mu
der one of their own religious belief .
soon as they would kill a Christian
They are divided into countless lit
tribes, and when they have nothir
better to do fight among themselye
But on threatened invasion by Il
regular forces of the sultan they fi0s
together and present a united fro
TO the enemy.
The Riffs are well armed, and kno
; how to use the modern munitions
war with considerable skill. With
the past year they have plumber
about O dozen vessels, and the GREY
of these have reported that the pira.
e had rifles OF recent make. They we
] body sashes holding many knives a