The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-06-03
\. D. PARTY TOURED
THE SLUMS OF
ALG|ERS
Pilgrims on Way to Rome
Spent Delightful Time in
"Half Way Town.

about to touch at Algiers, a depend
ence of France, May 9.-One more day
and sunny Italy will be ours. We have
sailed the coast of dark Africa. through
a corner of historic Spain, and now
touch at Algiers.
1t is of the latter city this letter
will speak to-the Sunday school work
ers and indeed all of our friends in
North Dakota briefly. after hurried
drive through its beautiful terraced
streets, embracing the shadows OF
darkest Africa and the gladness of
esthetic France. Algiers. once a
stronghold OF the pirate. now colony
of France, governed by French Off
Gals and soldiery. At every point can
be seen the firm hand and efficient
rule OF an European people. Five
hundred years ago the land lay waste
and barren. Now it is the site of one
of the most handsomely laid out cities
of the world. Its population is almost
entirely confined to two peoples,
French and Arabians. l wish it were
possible to give an adequate pen pic
ture of what one can see in the brief
one-day'S visit.
At the landing stage 100 carriages
We're awaiting the Rome pilgrims and
were under orders strictly OF the Clark
Tour company. for the Worlds Sun
day school convention people. The
ascent to the 3,O0O-feet cloud-tipped
mountains began through the Colon
nard de la Republic. This highway
towards the mountains runs 31,700
feet along the base of the cliff and
cost over $15,OOO,00O. AS we ascend,
we see a ever-to-be-forgotten pic
ture. Terraces of dazzling white en-
up to the tall, pointed. palm-clad
ridges of the eternal heights. Here
the purple haze was shrouded by the
tinted azure sky, the deep blue sea at
It's feet. Looking at her. north or
south. the city is enshrined in green,
beautiful avenues of trees. luXuriant
growths of palms, orange, fig and lem
on orchards, interlaced with pepper
trees and thousands of sweet-scented
roses. The city is divided into two
parts, French and Arabian. The mas
terful conception of the French artist
everywhere abounds. both in its land
scape, perspectives and artistic beau
ty. Every one of the great terraces
at the top of the mountain is cut out
of solid rock, unto the top of which
runs the street car, of poor, though
helpful conveyancing. Here the mil
lionaire French family has underhand
Arab after Arab-and for the sum
one would ordinarily spend for days
labor in the United States. months
work can be gotten out of these people,
Hence, every home is palace; every
garden a paradise. Descending through
these delightful terraced home streets,
and our carriages are stopped, that
those DESTROYS of seeing Arab Town"
may do so. Alighting, our guide led
the way. What contrast, here squa-
lor. filth and dirt met the eye in ev-
cry direction. Tall windowless houses,
facing defiles too narrow for even the
narrow burro carts, We saw oriental
pictures not to be surpassed in any
oriental city of the world.
The streets are SO steep and full of
vegetable refuse that ones life is jeop-
ardized at every step taken. One
narrow street will have as many as
1900 steps up and then another 1900
slippery places that, without a guide,
would be like our Hampton court
maze. The Arab quarters are the
chief scene Of interest and deserve
the closest study. 1t is stamped with
the antiquity of 500 years, but only in
the possession of the French since
1905. In this section of the city may
be found strangely costumed people,
wearing what seem large boomers.
The Arab women are robed with sim
liar garb to the men. below the waist.
Their quarters are dark and murky,
alleys not more than four feet wide
form their business home and sleeping
quarters. Side by side one sees buy
ing and selling. praying and gambling,
eating and sleeping. forming, anto-
gether, most unique and striking
picture. The opium den or drug fiend
is not to be found, as the French
watch very carefully its introduction,
Furnishing very severely those who
seek to introduce it in their midst.
Strangers, if there is no molestations,
will not be molested, though a guide
is the only safe way through these
slums; indeed, the openings and
streets are SO narrow that it is said
of one of our pilgrims that he met
himself trying to find his way out.
From tour of the slums it was a
relief to go to the market place. Here
streets are wider and somewhat clean
er. There are many little neat coffee
booths, where for penny delicious
coffee is served. 1t is prepared while
you wait. The coffee berry is not
ground. as in the United States, nor
is there any mixture, but a stone
brushes the berry over hot stone.
Then it is brewed over a quick fire
and served without cream lin tiny