Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1925-01-21
prepared by the National Geographic So
ciatLL Mashira.tnr. q

prepared by the National Geographic So
ciety. Washington. p. c.
The French inhabitants of Tunis
have been viewing with close interest
the experiences of the British in
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 French punitive ex-
petition was sent into the country, and
after its arrival was changed to an
army of occupation. Tunis had been
something of a thorn in the side of
European civilization up to this time
having been long a pirate stronghold
and later a turbulent region in which
neither foreigners nor their property
interests were safe. For time. be-
fore the entrance of the French forces
order was attempted by Great Britain,
France and Italy acting In concert, but
this arrangement was not satisfactory.
Great Britain welcomed the Ere 1ch
assumption of control, but Italy was
not entirely pleased with the new de-
velopment
Following their occupation of Tunis,
the French set up a protectorate, es-
tabIished 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 a mix
ture Of Arabs, Berbers and Sudanese
and, in addition, there are many. Jews,
French, Italians and Maltese. Tunis
is a Mohammedan country and every
city has it's numerous mosques, its
Moslem law courts and it's heavily
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
nq NnIvv ny.fn, ch 10
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
leys run in all objections and Carthage
can be reached ia % minutes.
Remains of the Romans.
In the days If Rome northern Africa
fTunisia) waa 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 1t waE TO be found in abundance
in the mountains. An aqueduct, built
under Hadrian, about 1876 A. D., sup
piled Carthage with 100000 liters
lover 100000 gallons) of water
day.
A few miles northwest of the city of
TuniC is Bizerta, Frances little-known
stronghold at the extreme northern
point of Africa. Bizerta is dark
horse" in the race for naval base
strength in the Mediterranean. 1t is
fair question whether it 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 neighboring
Spanish territory both in Europe and
Africa; and isolated Malta, dependent
for supplies on the outside world,
might conceivably be starved out in
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 harbor,
protected by ietties and Dreakwaters.
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 flake" has an area of more than
so square miles and much of 1t has