The Savannah morning news., 1903-06-09
SHELLS OF MELINITE
FROM FRENCH GUNS FELL UPON
THE MOORS.
FIGUIG WAS B0MBARDED.
MANY PEOPLE KILLED AND
HOUSES DESTROYED,

For Three and a Half Hours the
Destructive Fire Was Directed
Upon the Town of the RebeIIiOus
Tribesmen-This Wns in Punish
ment for the Attack Made Upon
the Escort of Governor General
JOnnnrt-MOors Attempted to RE-
ply, but InefectiveIy.
Beni-Ounif, Algeria, June s.-The
French artillery opened a preliminary
fire at $50 o'clock this afternoon on
Figuig. the stronghold of the rebel
lious Zenaga tribesmen who recently
attacked and tried TO ambush Gov
ernor General Jonnart and his escort,
of whom thirteen were seriously in
jured.
The actual bombardment began at
1880 o'clock and lasted until II a. m,
when a great destruction of houses
had been wrought the mosque de-
stroyed, and it is believed, a great
number of natives killed.
Gen. O'Connor commands the punt
tive expedition, consisting of 1000 men
of the foreign legion and strong
force of artillery, armed with guns
firing melinite shells. Gen. O'Connor's
plan was to advance on Figuig in
three columns and post his artillery
in commanding hills surrounding the
rebels stronghold.
Fired from Eminences.
At $3.50 a. M. the French troops oc-
cupied Juive Hill, another eminence,
both strategic positions, by surprise
movement. The ramparts of the town
were then 1900 metres distant and
like the houses. which were half a mile
behind them, built of compressed
earth. From these hills the artillery
made excellent practice, the melinite
shells making big breach in the ram
parts and destroying a multitude of
houses, the inhabitants of which had
fed at the first shots.
Finally, the fire was concentrated on
the mosque. which was much venerat-
ed, and the ediflce was blown to
pieces. The destruction Of the mosque
is expected to have a great moral eff
feet
MCors Returned the Fire.
The Moors, concealed in palm trees,
replied with artillery to the French
bombardment, but without effect. At
IL o'clock the French guns were with
drown to Demanded Oar. where Gen.
O'Connor was waiting offers Of sub
mission when this dispatch left
All the women and children left
town before the action. The French
fired few shells at distant parts Of
the oasis in order to impress the Moors
with the power and range of the
French guns. There was no loss on
the French side.
Fired six Hundred Shells.
shells at the town. The Spahis (native
cavalry, the Chasseurs d Afrique, and
the troops of the foreign legion were
posted during the bombardment at
pits surrounding the town, but the in
fantry did noa fire a single shot. At
$3.50 o'clock this afternoon an envoy
from the Ameer of Figuig arrived at
this place.
Gen. O'Connor has received congrat-
ulations from the commander of the
Nineteenth Army Corps for the skill
with which he conducted the opera
tions. The French troops have re-
turned to their encampment.
The decision has been taken regard
ing future operations. 1t is possible
that If the Figuig tribesmen do not
come to terms, other villages in the
oasis will be bombarded.
The expedition will rest tomorrow.
Gen. O'Connor has issued a general or
der congratulating the troops on the
manner in which they acquitted them
selves to-day