The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-08
TIE TIMES: RICHNoND.VA. SUNDAY july s. 1900
ack on the district of Tablet,

attack on the district Of Tablet, to the
westward OF lgii. which is unquestionabiy
Moorish territory. Had the French con-
fined their action to the occupation Of
the GASES named, it is unlikely that their
military operations would have had more
than local Importance. The Sultan OF
Morocco has vaguely laid claim to the
suzerainty OF tie Tuat group, but the
ADglo-French5 agreement of 1880 recognized
that the cases Were within the French
sphere, so that any protest made regard
ing them would have received no atten-
ton. The occupation OF Igli. however,
changed the situation, but unfortunately
for Morocco, the internal condition OF the
empire favors a policy of encroachment
by France similar to that pursued previ-
Gus to the occupation of Tunis The late
Grand Vizier. was the virtual ruler OF
Morocco, and his death removed the one
strong man among the advisers OF the
young Sultan, who, it is reported, Intends
in future to rule as well as reign If the
French entertain any designs against
Morocco, 1t is thought that they may have
excuses given them by some rash action
on his part in the near future, and 1t is
said they have been already afforded by
the proclamation of a holy war against
the infidel invader in the Tablet district
and other parts Of the Sahara.
The only treaty between France and
Morocco relating to the boundary between
the latter and Algeria dates back to 1873.
In dealing with the Sahara no territorial
limits We're laid down. on account OF the
land being only fitted for pasture and destf-
tute, except in spots, Of water. The right
of the inhabitants to move about from one
jurisdiction to another was recognized, the
only condition being that if one or other
of the contracting parties found itself OBJ
liged to take measures against its own
people at a time when the others We're in
ter1ningled with them, it would abstain
from touching them. The tribes depending
on Morocco and Algeria were then emu
merated. This is in Article ". The next,
dealing with desert villages (kessours),
provided that the respective Governments
should follow the ancient custom establish
ed by time. and, in consideration one Tor
the other, treat the Inhabitants OF the hes-
srurs with Difference and Kindness. Inc
Kessours belonging to Morocco and Al
eeria are then named. Article " says that
the country south of the kessours, being
without water and uninhabitable, the de-
limitation OF it would be supertluous ms
phra sing is capable of affording occasion
for dispute whenever one is needed AS
recent French maps show no frontier De
low Air-Sefra and FisuiC. the first belong
ing to Algeria and the second to Morocco
by the treaty of 1916, there is no fixed lin
j
cary by France: hence the suspicious OF
the Moorish Government
AS an indication of the French activity
in this Sahara region, it Is worth men
ticning that in February of this year the
railway in the south of the Province Of
Oran, which had its terminus at Am
Sefra. was opened for traffic to Yenienbu-
reg. and that surveys are in progress
for its immediate extension to Duveyrier
in the near neighborhood of Figuig. The
Governor-General Of Algeria has further
notife1 the Oran Chamber of Commerce
that the French Government has accepted
in principle the prolongation Of the line
to the cases of Tuat and Tidikelt by the
Wadi Zusfana and the Wadi Saura- As
Igli. about which the Moorish Government
is SO much alarmed as to protest to the
European Powers. is situated on the latter.
it would seem tlat its occupation by the
French is intended to be permanent, and
not a temporary military expectancy TO
prevent assistance going to the people OF
the GASES from the Western Moorish tribes
MEM. Y. Sun.