The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-09
s4HAR.A'S BANDITS tanned.
The Tuaregs No Longer Rob Since the
French Got a supply Of Swift Camels.

The greatest attraction at the colonial
exposition which the French Government
has opened at Vincennes is the Tuareg
encampment. The bandits Of the Sahara
are there with their tents, their camels
and their weapons.
The yelled Tuaregs showed neither aston
ishment nor interest as they crossed the
Mediterranean. nor were they moved by
the sights of the capital OF France. One
fact impressed them deeply. This was
that they saw men meet strangers and
treat them afably without first ascertain
ing whether they we're friends or enemies.
They could not understand it.
The density Of population also impressed
them as strange. and no wonder, for they
had often travelled 800 miles to attack
a caravan without meeting a soul.
Two years ago a Fronchman who met
a small party Of Tuaregs, at the time that
peace was made with the bandits, tried in
vain to get a good photograph OF them.
He succeeded in swapping his amer just
once. but the conditions were not favorable,
for every Tuareg had his face covered with
a veil. Times nave changed, and at YER
sailles every nan Of them is unveiled. except
when they are exhibited in full attire.
Six years ago these robbers captured
one OF the largest trading caravans that
ever fell into their hands. A large number
Of camels and their drivers were trans
porting 1900 packages OF ivory, ostrich
feathers and hides from the central Sudan
across the desert 10 Tripoli. The value
Of this merchandise was about $500 900.
The caravan had scarcely emerged from
the Sudan into the desert when the Tuaregs.
.hatr fanao ,.atlaA nc ttottol md THAR nv
cellent firearms ip the best condition,
swooped down upon il. Resistance was
useless, and the valuable freight was diverted
to the s~trongholds OF the robbers in the
inner part OF the desert.
Readers Of THE Sun already know what
has brought about the change in the cir
cumstances OF these nomads, Instead
OF the slow baggage camels the French
used when the Sahara first became their
domain they now utilize animals specially
fitted and trained for fast travel.
1t was not until the French possessed
camels that could cover three times as much
ground in a day as the ordinary pack animal
that they were al 10 10 cope with the Tuaregs.
The TuareRs for generations had picked
and trained their camels so that at first
the French were unable 20 catch them.
But for three years past every French
troop in the Saharan service has equalled
the TuareSs in CELEBRITY OF movement. Since
then the Tuaregs have no longer been i'm
mune from punishment.
The French can catch them whenever
they please. The nomads have been tanned
and the once ~redoubtable warriors have
been for about two years as peaceable
as women. save for one or two exploits
by small parties. They thought they
were at a safe distance from the French
| but found their mistake when they were
called 10 severe acoount for outrages upon
small caravans.
In the last two years three parties, two
French and one German, numbering only
a few men, have crossed the desert safely
without molestation from the bandits.
The last large expedition the French sent
across the Sahara numbered 1000 camela,
all OF them slow baggage animals. The
! Tuaregs did not hesitate on several ooca
! sinns 20 attack the stragRlers and make
| of with their guns and supplies. well know
| ing that the French could not catch them,