No. 352.
Mr. Heap
to Mr. Hunter.
Tunis , May 1, 1877. (Received May 21.)
Sir: The news of the rupture between Turkey and Russia has been received by this population with intense interest. The connection of this regency with the Ottoman Empire may lead to unexpected results, even if this government should decide to take no part in the war.
Very little assistance could be sent from Tunis, either in men or in money, and it is quite evident that Turkey will have enough on her hands without having to protect Tunis.
There was a time, and that a not very distant one, when such considerations as these would have had but very little weight with this government or people, for when under the influence of the religious passions they were wont to disregard all lessons of prudence; but the dissemination of knowledge through the numerous papers published in the Turkish Empire and its dependencies, in the Arabic and Turkish languages, has created a public opinion with which the governing classes must now count.
[Page 634]I believe there are over twenty periodicals printed in Arabic, some of which have a large circulation. The Jawaib, for instance, has about ten thousand subscribers in India alone, and large numbers of that paper are taken here. It has an influence all the greater from its being one of the few prints which reach here printed in the language of the country. This paper has been interdicted in Algeria on account of the agitation it caused among the Arabs.
We have an Arabic paper published here, but it appears at irregular intervals. It publishes articles translated from European and American papers, and its tone is moderate and conservative.
There is much social intercourse in Tunis among the masses, who seem, however, to shun rather than court the society of foreigners. At their meetings persons of different classes of society are admitted, and the conversation is usually upon the current topics of the day—political, social, and economical. Articles from the papers are read and commented upon, and public opinion is thus formed. As persons connected with the government take the lead at these gatherings, they are thus enabled to disseminate conservative and rational views, which are afterward repeated and impressed upon others at similar circles held at houses of persons of inferior social position.
The population of Tunis, notwithstanding the great interest it takes in the events so rapidly transpiring in the East, remains calm and un-excited, and the government has taken means to prevent disturbance, and to nip in the bud any attempt that might be made to incite the native population against the non-Moslem portion of the community. The ulemas have been instructed to preach in the mosques sermons tending to calm rather than excite their congregations, and although it is true that among the Arabs a feeling of intense hatred for the Kaffer is noticeable, this will have no evil result if it meets with no response from the towns, and if the foreign population acts with prudence and gives no cause for irritation.
* * * * * * *
The prime minister assured me, in a conversation I had with him yesterday, that every precaution had been taken to preserve tranquillity, and that foreigners have no cause for uneasiness. I inferred, however, from his remarks that the intention of this government to fulfill their obligations to the Sultan, which require the Bey to send assistance to his suzerain in the event of war. I expressed my regret, if this was their determination, for it was quite evident that they would be perfectly helpless in case of an attack by the Russians.
General Kéridine, who has occupied the post of prime minister since October, 1873, has introduced many improvements and civilizing influences in this country.
Good schools have been opened throughout the regency, and an academy in this city is giving excellent results.
The prison-system, which was formerly simply infamous, has been greatly improved.
Excellent macadamized roads have been made, and the breed of horses, which had gradually deteriorated, has been ameliorated by the importation of high bred stallions.
One railroad is completed, and a longer one, from Tunis to Begia, in the direction of the Algerian frontier, is in course of construction. The debt of Tunis is 125,000,000 francs, on which 5 per cent, interest is paid. Since the unification of the debt the coupon has been paid with regularity.
[Page 635]The administration of the finances, including the collection of the revenue, is in the hands of a commission composed in large majority of foreigners.
The relations of the United States with the Bey’s government are, I am happy to say, most friendly and cordial.
I am, &c.,