The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-08-21

that the great, French nation should easily and quickly put down the dis order and disturbances existing, but the French commander does not think so for he has called on his government for ls.ooo more troops to be sent to his aid as soon as it can be done.
 To understand the difficult position of the French it Is necessary to have some knowledge of the character of their enemies and of the country they occupy. The Moors are fierce. brave and savage people. who will risk their lives with little thought of the conse- duences to them. Much of this reck- lessness is due to their natural sav- agery which often breeds in native warriors kind of courage that seems totally unmindful of danger The main source of their bravery. however, is religious. Being Mohommedans they are taught by their religion to be- lieve that death in battle against the infidel, as they consider all who do not believe in their faith, means instant translation to Paradise. where all the l delights that can be conceived by the barbaric mind await them, and where ous pleasure without cessation. With their natural reckless bravery, added to the sure reward that follows death, and with the ardor of the religious enthusiast these Moors will fight with scant regard to personal danger or consequences.
 And there Is another difficulty against which the French have to con- tend that Is apparently almost insu- 1 perable. and that is the nature of the country. The French occupy the har- bor of Casa Blanca with their warshi2s, and are fortified in the town, and that is about the only advantage they have. The heavy guns on their ships and in the town protect them from any danger of successful assault on the part of the enemy and that is all. Most of the adjacent country is burning l desert. almost unbearable to European soldiers. but in which the mounted and hardened Moors are at home. They know every foot of the country can live under conditions that would mean death to the white man and can sub sist where the European would starve
 Under such conditions the French can only act on the defensive. Shut up in the city and harbor. protected by their artillery, they are safe, and they have reason to be thankful that their l enemies have no cannon, for if they had a few such guns as the French possess. and the capacity to handle them they might drive their enemies out of both city and harbor. As it is the French can hold their own and no more. If they undertake to make in- cursions into the surrounding desert they would be cut off and destroyed, and their numbers are too weak to take any chances. When they get the
 
 endorsements they are calling for they may be able to send out a corps sufficient to withstand any assaults that may be made on them and may carry their advance even to some of the strongholds of the natives and con- quer 8 peace, but the prospect at pres ent is certainly not a brilliant or hope full one.
 The French have had much costly and deadly experience in North Afri- can countries. They conquered Alge- ria, it is true. but they were about hf- teen years at it. and the money and lives sacrificed was appalling. wheth- CT they will have better, cheaper and more rapid success in Barbary remains to be seen. Their experience so far has not been encouraging, but more modern methods and appliances may succeed-and there will be many to ask if the result is at ali worth the cost