Evening star., 1950-08-20
Old dKusbuhs
|OnHineroryof
Independence

NEW YORK.-The real kasbab
of the North African Algiers and
the movie kasbah Of the Hedy
LAMAR Charles Boyer "Algiers''
have one intriguing point in COM
mon. They both are glamorous.
The former may not have all
the clandestine meetings and the
secret police-chase atmosphere of
the film but it does give the tour
list the true flavor Of French North
Africa with its peculiar marriage
of the ancient and modern.
In Algiers, as In other places
along the historic Barbary Coast.
''kasbah." "kasba" or "casbah"
popularly refers to the native
quarter Of a city. Actually, the
word means "citadel"-the for
tress Of the town-and often as
not. the castle of the ruler Kas-
bahs were built on peak emf
|nences, as may be judged from the
fact that more than 500 steps as
cend to the Algiers kasbah.
There are comparatively few
kasbahs in North Africa. and the
best known will be sightseeing
highlights of the February. 1851
maiden voyage cruise Of the In
dependence. largest and fastest
postwar liner of the United States.
The 26,000-ton American Export
Lines vessel will sail from New
York on q 53-day voyage through
the Mediterranean. calling at %
of the worlds most exotic ports
Other Kasbahs on Route.
Besides the kasbah in Algiers,
those in Rabat, Morocco and
Tangier will be visited by cruise
passengers on the Independence.
The port for the first will be
Casablanca, where the vessel will
call for q day. Tangier will be
next. then Algiers. The kasbah In
Algiers is the most famous in the
world. In sharp contrast to the
fine harbor. modern buildings and
beautiful gardens Of the rest of
Algiers, richest port Of French
North Africa, this ancient section
is a web of narrow, crooked streets
and old buildings.
It was the treasure stronghold
of the Algerian princes. Millions
Of dollars In tribute were paid by
the United States and. also by
England, France, Holland, Sweden
and Spain.
This practice was eventually
stopped after the American naval
hero. Stephen Decatur. sailed into
Algiers Harbor in 1915 with a naval
squadron and, by threatening to
demolish the city, forced the Dey
to sign q treaty ending the slavery
Iof Americans and renouncing de-
mands for future tribute. Other
nations subsequently obtained
similar treaties.
Palace Now in Ruins.
The palace is now in ruins, little
remaining but the central court
and throne room. The chair on
which the heads Of Christian
slaves were exposed is still shown,
however.
Not as famous as the Algiers
kasbah Is that in Rabat, so miles
northeast Of Casablanca, first
North Africa port of the Inde-
pendence. One quarter of the
dazzling white city Of Rabat is
occupied by the kasbah of the
Oudaiahs. Built in the 18th cen
tury, 1t stands on a cliff over
looking the Atlantic and is en-
tered through a beautifully dec
Grated ochre-red gateway.
From the promenade atop the
ramparts is a splendid view of the
whole town. A picturesque Moor
ish cafe. serving delicious mint
tea. has been built into the old
walls.
Another such ancient section of
a North African city is the kasbah
in Tangier. It, too, is on a hill
offering fine views along the
African coast and across the Strait
Of Gibraltar to Spain.
Entering by the northern gate,
the tourist first sees ruins of the
dungeon Of the Pasha Sidi Abdul
lah, and in the kasbah yard is the
Beet-el-Mal or treasury, with 16
mable columns supporting Moor
ish arches Of pure design. The
Sultan's palace is in the yard as
are native carpet factory and
the kasbah mosque. Exit is by
the historic Flogging Gate, from
which stra3nhnS a y,,ar~;Eoa,,&