ARAB RISING IN ALGERIA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 153, 29 June 1901, Page 5 (Supplement)

ARAB RISING IN ALGERIA.

A serious tribal rebellion has occurred in the Adelia Douar, in thep rovince of Algeria. The village of Marguerite was sacked by the Bcni Menasser tribe, led by a fanatic Marabout, Hadj Ben Aissa. He promised Paradise to all who would help "exterminate the infidels." The attack, which it Is evident 'had been carefully prepared.took place on Friday, April 2G. The natives, to the number of about 400, marched towards Maiguerlte, pillaging tfutlying farm 3on their way. The inhabitants were beaten, aad in some instances injured; but the chief preoccupation of the Arabs at this early stage seems to have been to secure all the arms and ammunition it was possible to obtain. In some instances, however, they forced the colonists to go through the ceremony of embracing the Mussulman faith. It was noon when the bands arrived at the village. The inhabitants were lunching,and naturally did not anticipate the attack. The tribesmen, being well acquainted with the residents, attacked the best houses first. Everything was wrecked, and the inhabitants were grossly ill-treated, and, where the least resistance was shown, were bludgeoned or shot. The sacking of the village lusted an hour and a half. Fortunately, telegraphic communication with Miliana was maintained, and in reply to the messages demanding help, Major Bazinet and a body of tirailleurs quickly covered the six intervening kilometres, and put the rebels to flight. Including those persons who were killed in the sacking of the village, there were eight fatalities among the white residents, two of the persons killed being Spaniards, and another an Italian. Three officers were wounded in the engagement. ■ The victims were burled on Sunday.

The canse of the revolt dates* back to last December, when a number of arrests were made in consequence of a plot organised by the Benl Menasser as a protest against the acquisition by a number of manufacturers of forests, charcoal wood, and other timber need as fuel. These purchases reduced the natives, who had no other means of earning a Hvellhood.to a state of extreme poverty.