"THE EMPEROR OF SAHARA."

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11751, 27 November 1903, Page 5

"THE EMPEROR OF SAHARA."

FORMING HIS ARMY.

United Pres* Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.

PARIS, November 25.

M. Jacques Lebaudy, who recently declared himself Emperor of the Sahara, with the assistance of a Thames syndicate interested in the occupation of gun-run-ning, is whipping a thousand modern rifles and many Maxima and field guns to the Grand Canaries, for use in the Sahara. M. Lebaudy is also recruiting an army in Switzerland and elsewhere abroad.

M. Jacques Lebaudy, the French millionaire, who haa founded what he calls an Empire in the Sahara, was in London last month, and afforded the newspapers enormous quantities of interesting copy. He stayed at the Savoy Hotel, and from all accounts half London was spending its time in fruitks* endeavours either to interview the eccentric Frenchman, to photograph him, or to sell him something. But he succeeded in eludiug his importunate pursuers, and in transacting business ia connection with his projected Empire. At wio time it was announced that he was actually looking out for a British peer to act aa his Prime Minister. Tha "Daily Mail" of October 12th said: Tiie exciting sojourn at the Savoy Hotel of Emperor Jacques I. of the Sahara, alias M. Lebaudy, is fast drawing to a close. Unless, indeed, the Emperor changes his mind, and ha does not change it very often, ■ London will be bereft of his Majesty early next week.

There are varioua reasons for this decision. In the first place, Jacques I. is beginning to find Lord Lansdowne, whose interest lie has tried to secure, almost as inaccessible as his Majesty has been himself to his many suitors. Further, the Emperor's Prime Minister, whose name if divulged would arouse considerable comment, is well qualified to conduct tha imperial affairs in his Majesty's absence. From London the- Emperor will go to Paris, and thence to Lisbon, from which place ho will take the Portuguese mail boat to Los Palmaa. There h» will establish his base for operations against such of his subjects m tho desert who may not altogether approve of his rule. Preparations for these operations are now* actively going

oft. It would have fluttered the hearts of ladies taking tea in the restaurant of one well-known West-end emporium yesterday afternoon to have learnt tliat while they discussed their bargains, Emperor Jacques I. was under th* some root laying out thousands of pounds on waterproof sheets, mosquito neto, etc. From this establishment hia Majesty went to a firm which provides houses built of corrugated iron. H* asked for a great many specifications, and took away a bundle- of catalogues, but refused to leave his name.

Both in the city and the West End this week manufacturers of military equipment have been puixlcd to receive huge orders for wftTllke stores from mysterious ngenta who declined to givo tho name of their principal. Everything bos been paid for in cash, and an «stva. sum waa thrown in provided tha* Jie transaction was carried out with the utmost secrecy. It is known tnat his Majesty has foiled to secure shipment for his goods by one firm, but a steamer now lying not a hundred miles from tho London Docks may shortly be flying the Bahama flag.