The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-07-20
Mountaineers Of Senegal.


prepared by the National Geographic So
ciety. Washington. d. 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 sweet southwark unit. the great
majority of African natives will be-
come Moslems in 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 large ex-
and Berber or MOOR" AS one steams
down the Atlantic coast of Africa.
leaving the last Of the perennial
streams OF Morocco, he skirts forbid
ding desert coast without a permanent
stream for 1900 miles. The first large
emptylng into the sea through sys-
tenn 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-
vtvs ctip oP no d;
,apids to point 435 miles farther in.
lard, 1t has been made still better.
Real Control by France ls Recent.
The foothOld Of France in Senegal
dates from the days Of Richelieu. In
1886 Fort st. Louis was established as
trading post ut 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. It 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-governing municipal
communes in Senegal, and they jointly
send deputy to the French chamber
In Paris.
The portion Of Senegal which may
be regarded as having progressed far
toward becoming, like Algeria, a part
Of France. Is small. embracing less
than 1000 square miles and having a
population Of only few hundred
thousands. The remainder Of Senegal,
with an area Of more than 10000
square miles, consists of native states
under French protection and under
the supervision Of resident agents.
Situated between desert Africa and
moist tropical Africa. Senegal is not
unnaturally region of mixed races
AS one advances from the north, the
Senegal river marks the first encOun-
ter with predomlnantly negro tribes
as it marks the end of the desert and
its fringe of semi-desert. On the north
side of the river dwell people of Der.
Der or Moorish" stock-swarthy
STRAIGHTFORWARD, straight-nosed. To
the south of the river the tribes vary
much in appearance, but PRACTICAL!
all are negroes-black or dark choco
late colored, with broad fiat noses ant
kinky hair. Close to the coast are tn,
members of the Wolof tribe, who art
usually regarded as typically Senega!
ese. They are said to be the blackes
negroes known. Even their lips ART
black. The people Of this tribe ar,
particularly loyal to the French an,
have served in large numbers as sol
diers.
Wise Methods Of Administration.
In administering Senegal, as indee
In administering all her African pos
sessions, France has depended on tao
rather than on force. Her officials nc
only recognize native chiefs, but ais
treat them with consideration. Tn
greatest of the rulers are presente
with valuable gifts, which emphasi2
the wealth and power If France. an
some Of the leaders are taken to Par
- guests Of the government IT