New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-10-09
Carrying the War into Arc:r.,.

1t is evident that the British expedition to
the Gold Coast has very serious task be-
fore it. Thus far il has met with one dlsas-
ter after another. The AshantcCs are no
contemplate antagonists, even for Il well
equipped European force. They have long
ranked among the most powerful of all the
African nations. They are capable, it is said
Of bringing into the field an army of 100 ,ODp
men. Their troops have been drilled by
Dutch adventures, and Yankee nercaul-
men, if report does not belle our cntcrpiisin,
countrymen, have supplied them with arms
and ammunition. Recent occurrences also
have made it plain that in contest with the
British they will have the active or passive
assistance OF all the tribes along that part Of
the coaot-at least antil they have been
beaten III some signal engagement. The
affair on the Prah, in which every man save
one in Commodore Commercials boat cxpcdi-
ton was more or less seriously hurt aud The
distinguished commander himself was dan
gerOus!y wounded, has borne its natural
fruit. The revolt" az the English papers
term il, has become general, and a second
disaster, similar in character to the first, has
aggravated the dangers of the situation
I've are probably in for a serious war, -
says Tie P4H .HiH GIzstte, land a war VI i Ii
we shall have TO carry on single handed,
without hope Of any material assistance from
native allies. This means that we must sub
stitute much more formidable number for
the handful Of British troops with which the
war was to have been carried on. We must
have plenty Of mcn-and, what Is more.
plenty of Englishmen-on the Gold Coast if
we are 10 win this bout
The military force now on the way to
Africa, under the command Of Sir Garnet
Woiseley, will, doubtless, be strong enough
F,rt lat a to ,u 4
it will not have an easy march to the Ashantee
capital. The natives are adept. at bush
fighting; the country gives them every adj
vantage; and they can seriously cmbarras.
the progress Of an invading army, however
formidable. Their object is evidently t.
detain the English uear the coast until the
rainy season sets III. For this purpose they
have been careful to carry hostilite. far and
wide into the protected coast territories OF
the Fantees, which the British General must
leave in his rear when lie moves towards
CoOmassie; and as the Fdntces will Join the
side Of which they are most in fear, il be-
comes grave question how this di.!icIlty u
the campaign is TO be met. Delay will Lc
the Ashautces' best defense. In a few
months the swdnps and jungle. Will reeA
with pestIence, and fever, a-ue, and dysen-
terry will DO more execution IN the European
ranks than gunpowder.
/ OF course in the long run there can be only
one issue - a quarrel between the King Ui
the Ashantees and the British Empire. But
the victory must be ingloriou- AMI may lie
. dearly purchased. For nine or ten wears the
( Gold Coast has been the scene Of more or
less pronounced hostilities, 10 which the
British, having assumed a prOtectOratc over
/ the coast tribes, could not be Indifferent.
/ Yet il is not clear to-day that the Ashantees
have committed any sufficient proyocation oil
the present war, or that their attempt TO
conquer an opening from their kingdom to
the sea is not entirely justified. justified OF
not, however, The war must be fought TO it:
close and the English settlements restored
TO security. Great Britain, after watching
oGr treatment Of the Indians with 80 much