264 
EUROPE AND AFRICA 
tween Algeria and Tunis was maintained, trade was en- 
couraged, the railway system of Algeria was extended into 
the neighboring state, and French influence there was mate- 
rially strengthened. = In 1874, M. Roustan, a diplomat of 
exceptional abilities and energy, was installed as French 
consular agent in the city of Tunis. He gradually won the 
confidence of the Bey, while preserving friendly relations 
with the other consuls, and within six years greatly increased 
the prestige of France. 
Meanwhile, conditions on the Algerian frontier began to 
create trouble and cause complaint. The boundary line had 
never been definitely fixed and no extradition treaty existed 
between the two countries. Murderers, brigands, and other 
criminals avoided arrest and punishment by crossing the 
frontier. Robberies, the destruction of property, and the 
burning of forests were common occurrences. Tribal con- 
ficts were frequent, for these restless and warlike peoples, 
who preferred a nomad existence and a bandit career, wan- 
dered from one side of the border to the other with impunity, 
and a constant state of disorder and friction prevailed. By 
1880, the situation had become intolerable; and in February, 
1881, the French consul reported that claims had been 
entered with the Tunisian Government for the extradition of 
24 criminals, for 6170 head of cattle and 100 other animals 
stolen, and for 800,000 francs to cover losses from robberies, 
murders, fires, etc. In the same month, word reached Paris 
that 300 Khroumirs, a wild and warlike people living in the 
northwest corner of Tunisia, near the sea and Algeria, had 
crossed the frontier again and were attacking Algerian tribes 
and villages, 
The weakness and inefficiency of the Tunisian Govern- 
ment were notorious. The ruler, a sort of feudal monarch, 
possessed little real control outside of the coast cities. His 
methods of administration were antiquated and his efforts to