The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1921-07-08
Mountaineers Of Senegal.

prepared by the National Geographic So
ciety. Washington. ID. c.
Senegal, brought into prominence
because of the thousands of Senegal
csc who, as soldiers and laborers, as
sisted the French In the World war is
the gateway and main trade route TO
Frances West African possessions.
In that country and in the regions
inland TO the east, Mohammedanism
holds almost undisputed sway; and
from there, some observers declare,
there is likelihood that this religion
will sweep southwark until the great
majority of African natives will be-
come MOslemS I'm name at least.
On it's west, or Atlantic coast, Sene-
gal may be said to mark the beginning
OF the real Africa-the hot. moist
dark continent" peopled with negroes.
For northern Africa is to IA large ex-
tent desert, and is the land of Arab
and Berber or Moor" AS one steams
down the Atlantic coast OF Africa.
leaving the last OF the perennial
streams Of Morocco, he skirts n forbid
ding desert coast without permanent
stream for 1,SOO miles. The first large
stream encountered is the Senegal,
emptying into the sea through a sys-
TEN of lakes and lagOons. navigable
during the rainy season for 600 miles
inland This was naturally one of the
best trade routes into the interior of
northwestern Africa, and by the con
struction of railroad from the river
rapids TO point 49, miles farther in
land, It has been made still better.
Real Control by France is Recent.
The fo0thold of France in Senegal
dates from the days of Richelieu. In
1886 Fort ST. Louis was established as
trading post at the mouth of the
Senegal river France could point TO
little more than the maintenance of
coast stations In this region, however,
until relatively recent times. Ii was
not until near the middle of the Nine
teenth century that there was anything
like an aggressive effort to consolidate
Senegal under French control. How
great the progress has been since that
time is Indicated by the fact that there
are now four Self-gOvern.Hg municipal
cOmmunes in Senegal. and they jointly
send deputy to the French chamber
i'm Paris
The portion OF Sene, Il which may
be regarded as having progr cSSed far
toward becoming. like Algeria, Il part
of France. is small. embracing less
than Loco square miles AID having a
population of only n few hundred
thousands. The remainder OF Senegal,
With an area of more than 10000
square miles, consists of native states
irder French protection and under
the supervision OF resident agents.
Situated between desert Africa and
moist tropical Africa. Senegal * not
unnaturally Il region of mixed races.
As one advances from the north. the
Senegal river marks the first encOun-
ter with predominantly negro tribes,
rs il marks the end of the desert and
It's fringe Of Semi-deSert. ON the north
side of the river dwell people of Ber-
Der or Moorish" StOck-Swarthy
straight-haired. Straight-nosed. To
The south of the river the tribes vary
much in appearance, but practically
all are negroes-black or dark choco-
axe colored. with broad fiat noses and
kinky hair. Close 10 the coast are the
members of the Wolof tribe. who are
usually regarded rs typically Senegal
ESQ. They ere said 10 be the blacklist
.,egroeS known. Even their lips are
hlpck. The people Of this tribe are
particularly loyal IL the French and
have served in large numbers as sol
dierS.
Wise Methods O: Administration.
IN administering senegal n indeed
In administering az her African pos
sessions. France has depended on tact
rather than on force Her officials no;
OILY recognize native chiefs, but also
1rrat them with consideration. The
greatest OF the rulers are presented
with valuable gifts. which emphasize
The wealth aud power Of France, anu
come of The leaders are taken TO Paris
rs guess % the government. The