1939: Algeria

Algeria, a French colony in Northern Africa on the Mediterranean is bounded west by Morocco, southwest and south by French West Africa, and east by Libya. It has an area of 847,552 sq. mi., divided into Northern Algeria (80,117 sq. mi.) and Southern Algeria (767,435 sq. mi., chiefly desert). The population was estimated in 1936 at 7,234,684 inhabitants, almost entirely natives with 987,252 Europeans. The capital of the Colony is Algiers.

The highly cultivated coastal area produces the great bulk of the Colony's output. The chief grains are wheat, barley, oats, and maize. Of the vegetables, potatoes, artichokes, beans, peas and tomatoes are the most important; and flax, silk, and tobacco are cultivated. The principal fruits are dates, pomegranates, bananas, and figs. Almonds and olive oil are important exports. The Colony also has livestock and timber industries. The total value of exports in 1937 amounted to 4,333,599,000 francs and of imports to 4,083,383,000 francs. Over 80 per cent of the Colony's trade is with France.

The Colony is administered by a Governor-General, appointed by the French Government. All powers are concentrated in his office with the exception of the legal rights of non-Moslems which are controlled by the appropriate ministries in Paris. There is no legislative parliament, but a colonial delegation representing colonists, French taxpayers, and natives exercises a partial financial autonomy.

During the year 1939 the friction between France and Italy over the question of colonial concessions to Italy centered attention on Algeria and other strategically placed French colonies. On Jan. 6, 1939, Premier Daladier of France, on a four-day colonial tour, visited Algeria and received a tremendous ovation. After the tour, elaborate defense measures were taken. On April 22, the Government ordered work to begin on a new naval base at Mers el Kebir, and a decree made the area around this port a military zone. Besides this naval base, an appropriation of 12,770,000,000 francs was made for the construction of 18 submarine chasers, 12 dredges, 1 floating dock, a number of small warships and for the enlargement of the air force and colonial army.