The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-02-18

prepared by tho National Geographic So
cisty. Washington. r.. CO.
The French inhabitants of Tuni
have been viewing with close interes
the experiences of the British IL
Egypt, for parallel with the young
Egyptian" movement, which culmi
mated in independence for the land Of
the Nile, there is a young Tunis'
movement, the denouement Of which
is still an unknown quantity.
Control Of Tunis by France dates
from 1881, when a French punitive ex
petition was sent into the country, and
after its arrival was changed to al
army of occupation. Tunis had beer
something of a thorn In the side OF
European civilization up to this time
having been long a pirate stronghold
and later turbulent region in which
neither foreigners nor their property
interests were safe. For time be-
sort of three-sided influence toward
order was attempted by Great Britain,
France and Italy acting in concert, but
this arrangement was not satisfactory.
Great Britain welcomed the French
assumption of control, but Italy was
not entirely pleased with the new de-
velopment.
Following their occupation of Tunis,
the French set up protectorate, es-
tablished military posts in numerous
places and soon had a well-ordered
government. Prosperity has in
creased steadily in Tunis since the adj
vent of the French, and there has been
q general contentment with the new
regime, which has made life easier for
all but the robbers. Still, patriotism
dies hard and there are many Tunisi-
ans who are FESTIVE under the French
yoke.
The coast towns of northern Tunis
are almost a repetition of those OF
coastal Algeria. The natives are mix
ture of Arabs, Berbers and Sudanese
and, in addition, there are many Jews,
French, Italians and Maltese. Tunis
Is Mohammedan country and every
city has its numerous mosques. its
MOSieu law COuILc anu AeS hco'AJ
yelled women
The city of Tunis is called by the
Arabs 1.-THE White Burnous of the
Prophet Its houses are all fiat
rooted and creamy white In color.
Tunis has changed greatly since 1881.
A large and attractive French town
has sprung up outside the walls of the
native city. Broad boulevards. with
rows of palms and various shade
trees; large shops, with tempting dis
plays; modern hotels, with every COM
fort and luxury; restaurants, cafes,
and garages for the motors that come
in greater numbers every season. Troll
yevs run in all directions and Carthage
can be reached In % minutes.
Remains Of the Romans.
Tn the days Of Rome northern Africa
fTunisia) was called the "granary OF
the world" for the Roman system OF
irrigation was marvellous and the soil
fertile wherever water was to be had,
and it was to be found in abundance
in the mountains. An aqueduct, built
under Hadrian, about 1856 A. D., sup
piled Carthage with 100000 liters
lover 100000 gallons) Of water a
day.
A few miles northwest of the city OF
Tunls is Bizerta. Frances little-known
stronghold at the extreme northern
point Of Africa. Bizerta Is a dark
horse" in the race for naval base
t. .lc Mediterranean II Is a
fair question whether 1t is not already
as valuable strategically as that house
hold word for strength, Gibraltar, or
Britain's convenient naval halfway
house, the Island of Malta. For Gibral-
tar Is in gun-reach from nelghboring
territory both in Europe and
Africa; and Isolated Malta, dependent
for supplies on the outside world,
might conceivably be starved out in a
few months. Bizerta, on the other
hand, has a productive hinterland OF
French controlled territory behind Its
heavily fortified and magnificent land
locked harbor.
There are two Bizertas, In reality.
Along a wide, deep quay-lined channel
near the sea is the commercial harDor,
protected by jetties and breakwaters.
Beyond the inner end Of the channel.
on the Lake" of Bizerta, deep arm
Of the sea, is the naval base, from
which commercial craft are excluded.
This lake" has an area Of more than
30 square miles and much of 1t has