The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-14

an oasis ABOUT elSnt IHlleS SliOlll mere,
where 1t took place. Figuig is one Of the
richest settlements OF western Morocco.
1t has about million date trees, and its
people have always been noted for their
prosperity and trade. They are also ia
nous as haters of Christians, and until
lately 1t was death for such to enter their
GASES. About three years ago. when the
railroad had not yet reached this point,
tho Governor-General. of Algeria made All
expedition from the end OF the road at
Duvericr to Benz Ounif, and started
thence on an expedition to Figuig. Hs
was accompanied by detachment of
Spahis, the bravest of these African SOL
dIers, and three companies OF the foreign
legion, under the command of General
O'Conner. 1t was then we'll known that
any Christian who went into Figuig did
SO at the risk of his life. and one Of the
Arab officials OF the town warned tho
Governor General that he had better keep
out. He did not heed tho warming, and
the result was a fight, which lasted five
hours, after which the French retreated.
This battle was entirely with rifles on
both sides, and the Moors thought thc/
were equal to anything the French could
bring forth. A day or so later the foreign
legion and three squadrons OF cavalry
| appeared their force altogether number
ing forty-five hundred.
| IHey WILL lIlelIlxda nuIlDGr
of mountain guns and other cannon,
and placing these moro than q mile
!, away, they opened fire upon the oasis
and its villages with mclinite Shells.
| Tho result astounded the natives.
I Their mud brick houses We're blown
to atoms, and the minarets Of their
mosque cut in two.
| The Moors had never heard or seen
| anythinS like this, and they soon came
almost on their knees to beg the
| French to desist. Since then the rail-
iroad has been extended to Benz Ounif
and within two years thriving settle
ment has grown up here. right at the
\ gate to the pass Figuig is now safe
for a traveller. II he is accompanied
I by French soldiers, and the French
are even building wagon road tc
that place.
An Army Of Camel Police.
4 The French Sahara alone is alto
lgether more than half as large a. 1ht
whole United States. 1t extends from
tho Libyan desert to Morocco and al
/. far south as the Soudan. The Frencl
have made this whole region peaceful
and 1t Is now possible to travel almos
anywhere through 1t. They hay,
! troops stationed at every largo oasi
country and heliographing tho leas
4 sign Of disturbance. These camel 20
8Ilicet are natives mounted on meharls-
"A beasts which can go 100 miles dn
: after day without firing. Many of tn
camel police are Tunregs. who find |
pays better to be employed by til
French than to rob the caravans them
selves, as they did in the past: other
are Targhis, from warlil1e tribe /
!, the eastern part OF the Algerian Sa
hnra. These troops patrol the countr
, NIL the way from Trlpoli to Morocco,
They act as scouts for the Frenc
, officers. and are ready to fight bravcl
i in time OF trouble. A large numbc
= of them are now watching the pms
+ here. They go about Mt wide distance
E apart and bring In reports of the cor
: ditions existing NIL along tho desc
: frontier.
! Mail Men on Carnels.
j, The French have established a so,
: OF mall service for the Sahara. III
Arab postmen carry mall bags o
these fast meharis, Every mllitar
station is thus served and In SON
; places. such as Colomb Bcchar an
q Adrar there are post offices, whel
g money orders are issued and regl
L lar mail service is given. Among Il
II important stations are those OF TUG
Is which Is large sorics Of GASES Sc
IS eral hundred miles south OF her
10 There are soldiers also at Tidllselt.
10 Igeli and at many other places,
! ! The Foreign Legion.
n Here at Benz Ounlf Is a branch
!, tho foreign legion, made up OF Gle
- mans. Swiss. Italians and American
~ There are also several companies
- military criminals who have been q
ported from France ana sent doy
., from other parts Of Algeria for pu
10 ishment. These mon arc put to ma
ne Ing roads, bridges and all Kinds y
rs hard labor. met one last night in
ed Moorish cafe who told me lie was
ed American, His complexion was til
t. of N mulatto. but he wore the i
W trousers. blue jacket and tall red 9
". OF the Spahi, and took him for
DIN Arab. ! was drinking coffee at O
ra OF the tables when he sat down !
side me and began to speak IIngli
He told me that he came from $
Francisco. that he had served as q N
Int rine In the French navy and had fin
az In IN "a tT "a III