The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-26
THE CONQUEST
 OF ALGERIA

This Sunday will mark the centen- ary of the bombardment and destruc- ton of the city and forts of Algiers by a British fleet commanded by Lord EXmouth. This remarkable battle, one of the fiercest of its kind ever fought, was one of the many. thrilling incidents connected with the conquest of Algeria. For centuries the Barbary States had been pirate strongholds, and had forced the na- tions of Europe to pay tribute for thep rotection of their shipping in the Mediterranean. The infant re- public of the United States was the first to combat this monstrous tyr amy, forcing the Algerines and other North African piratical tribes to re- spect the Stars and Stripes. England then took a hand in the game, and Lord Exmouth taught the piratical Dey of Algiers a much-needed lesson Later France completed the job, and, after years of warfare, brought all of Algeria under the French flag. To- day the Algerines, descendants Of those warriors who fought the French so bravely and so long, are now fight ing the battles of the republic in Eu- rope. The loyalty of these dark-skin- ned soldiers from Africa is unques- | toned and their bravery and valor have surprised the foe. Under French control, Algeria has again become a rich and prosperous land, support 1 ing a population of nearly six mil lions-thrice as many as dwelt within its borders a century ago.
 ! Admiral Viscount Exmouth, by his successful assault on Algiers on Aug. 27, 1916, gained a place among the great naval heroes of England. In 1916 the Ionian islands came under British guardianship. and Lord Ex- mouth was ordered to demand from the Barbary chiefs the release of all the Ionians held in slavery. At that time it was the gentle custom of the Barbary chieftains to enslave all Flu ropeans who fell into their unholy clutches. The unhappy prisoners were forced to toll early and late, lashed to their tasks by their cruel masters, while the girls and young women were held captives in the harems of the Dey and the lesser chieftains of the pirate hordes.
 The Dey of Algiers received the first call from Lord Exmouth, and he compiled with the demand for the release of the Ionians. At Tunis Lord Exmouth not only demanded the release of all Ionians, but requir- ed the ruler to abolish Christian slav- cry altogether. He consented, and a similar promise was wrung from Tri- poll. Lord Exmouth then returned to Algiers, and pressed the same de- mand, but the Dey, confident that his Qualifications were impregnable, re- fused any further concessions
 The British Admiral had already exceeded his instructions, and did not feel justified in preceding to hostili- ties, but he warned the Dey that he would return, and would undertake to batter down the formidable de- fences of Algiers with five lne-of- battle ships only. The Dey laughed at this threat, but he did not laugh long.
 | Lord EXmOuth'S boast was not made without a knowledge of the facts. He had made accurate plans and sound ings, which corrected many grave er- TOTS in the admiralty charts. Lord Nelson had expressed the opinion that at least twenty-five -of-battleships would be necessary to bring the Al gerines to terms, but Exmouth held different opinion.
 On the return of the squadron tc England, preceded and followed by stories of fresh outrages committed by the Algerian pirates, it was deter mined, after a stirring parliamentary debate, that the Dey should be fore
 ed into submission. Lord Exmoutf was empowered to execute the task and was given an unrestricted choice of material. Greatly to the surprise of the admiralty and in defiance O.
 the protests of his naval collea gues Lord Exmouth persisted in limitin,
 his main force to five line-ot-battle !, ships. The Queen Charlotte was hi flagship, and he chose one othe three decker. The main fleet was ac companied by five frigates, four bonn
 vessels, and five gun brigs.
 1 The squadron was manned by vol