3-070-830 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The French Expedition to Tunis: Goums, reconnoitring, attacked by Khroumirs, 1881. 'The invasion by the French of the territory of the Bey of Tunis, a vassal of the Turkish Empire, is ostensibly justified by the necessity of punishing an unruly frontier tribe, called the Khroumirs, who have committed some acts of violence across the border of Algeria...The Regency of Tunis occupies nearly the centre of the northern shores of Africa to the east of the French Algerine dominion...The export trade of Tunis is chiefly confined to oil, esparto grass, wool, and cereals, and its imports consist chiefly of colonial produce and manufactured goods. In both, British interests are largely concerned...The [French] military and naval preparations seem far to exceed those which would be needful for the mere chastisement of border tribes. The Bey of Tunis protests against the entry of the French troops on Tunisian territory without previous notice, and while peace and friendly relations reigned between France and Tunis. Such an act, as he says, is contrary to all the rules of International Law. This protest is made in the name of Tunis and the Ottoman Empire, of which Tunis forms part'. From "Illustrated London News", 1881.