| Show FRANCE AND ENGLAND IN AFRICA THE dispatches a few days ago had some startling suggestions in relation to the anglo trench french misunderstanding relative to which lies in that portion of africa immediately adjoining the straits of gibraltar it la in one of the barbary states but to 16 an independent empire governed by a sultan it adjoins the french state of algeria england has large interests there in the way of commerce its pol is estimated variously at from five to eight million south of morocco is the great desert of sahara in ape the northern part of the desert is the oasis of bouat this with several other oases in the region has about inhabitants entirely independent but observing some tribal forms of government the and algerian french have never been friends but bouat is a resting place for french caravans from algeria to senegal and a railroad is contemplated between both places the applied to the sultan of morocco for assistance some time ago he wanted to annex their country but they only desired protection the sultan promised to comply with the re quest and sent his big officers among them to collect taxes the french oba objected acted to thir and sent a force to seize the territory then disturbances coni 1 fenced in which several of the thea sultans officers were killed the rho british consul at tangier deeming the interests of his country in danger made a demand on thi the governor for adequate protection meantime two british war ships the Grappler nt i and I were ordered to tangier thereupon the french news papers called upon their g government overn ment to dispatch the mediterranean i quad ron also to the same point if the french should seize Toua tand the country adjoining complications will ensue morocco has an army of infantry commanded by an englishman it has also some artil lery jerland and cavalry but there are so many majoy semi independent tribes that the sultans power in some contingencies virtually amounts to nothing it la ig believed that england contemplates contemplate a taking part of morocco in order to head oft france te ae latter country i bunt greatly exercised on the subject t but is not prepared to take any step that would lead to a rupture with great britain |
