MILITARY TERRITORIES OF FRENCH SUDAN. The official name of three territories comprising the eastern part of the African re gion formerly known as French Sudan (q.v.), and extending from the eastern boundary of French Senegal and French Guinea to Lake ('had. and from the northern borders of Nigeria, Da homey, Togo. the Gold Coast, and the Ivory Coast northward into the Sahara Desert (Map: Africa, 3). The total area is estimated at over 250.000 square miles. and the population at 2,700,000. The first of the three territories covers the region around Timbuktu. including the towns of Yatenga, Dori, and ;Madill, The second comprises the Middle Niger region. includ ing the greater part of the area within the bond of the Nigel-, with residences at Alossi and Gil runsi. Iii its eastern boundary are the Niger and Dahonmy: on the west the territory extends to the Sankarani River; on the south it is bordered by the Gold Coast and by the Ivory Coast gener ally along the parallel of latitude 10° N. The third territory, organized December 20, 1899, embraces all the territory between the Niger and Lake ('had, with the towns of Koni and Alaradi. Its headquarters are at Zindcr. It extends: into the Sahara on the north, reaches the Wadai on the east, and is bordered by Nigeria on the south.
The territories are now (1903) administered by three officers, assisted by residents under the supervision of the Governor-General of French West Africa (q.v.). however, a French decree dated October 4, 1902, proposes to group the Middle Niger region (chiefly embraced in the second military territory as above described) with the region of the upper Senegal River and with the Senegal Protectorate, so as to form a new administrative and financial milt 1111(14.r the
name of the of Senegambia and the Niger." This decree also proposes for the future some changes in the system of administration.
The expense of the region to the mother coun try is somewhat heavy, especially for military needs. The army numbered 8 010 in 1901, about one-half natives. The region of these territories is little known. Many portions :0-e considered very fertile, and full of agricultural and eom mereittl possibilities. The French arc preparing to make systematic and extensive investigations into these subjects. as well as into that of the population. The climate in general is not un healthful. The natives raise rice, millet. and wheat. in the country around Timbuktu (q.v.1 and south into the land of the Mossi has sprung up an active commerce since the entry of the Freindi into the region. Timbuktu is a centre of trade in gums. Rubber is the other leading ar ticle of traffic. The railway, which has been building for many years from Senegal west through Kays and Kite to Banunaku to con nect the Niger with the ocean, is now expected to reach this destination about 1900. Only about 150 miles remain to be constructed. The first French expedition entered the region of the ter ritories in 1860. The French began an active conquest in 1880. In 1894 Timbuktu fell into their hands. French control of the district was ratified by a treaty with Great Britain in 1898.