The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1891-12-31
THE vrcroR1ous wAnRnE.
Something About the Africans WHO
Vamquished German Army,


Something About the Africans WHO
Vsmquished German Army.
Some weeks ago came the news of q
terrible disaster to the expedition which
Captain Won Zelewski recently led into
the interior of German East Africa He
had with him about 1000 men. When
about 900 miles in the interior, in the
country of the Wahehe, he was attacked
by that savage tribe. He and nine of his
white officers were killed or are missing,
Only two of his officers escaped to the
coast The Germans fell into an am
bush, and were attacked by overwhelm-
ing numbers, Many members of the ex-
petition were taken captive, and it is be-
lieved that at least 800 of them were
killed, while about 800 returned to the
coast, A battle so costly in loss of men
has never before been fought between
the whites and natives of equatorial
Africa.
1t may be interesting to know somo-
thing Of the natives who have inflicted
such terrible reverse upon the whites
The plateau country of Uhehe begins
about 200 miles southwest of Bagamoyo
and about 100 miles northeast of Lake
Nyassa. Along the upper waters of the
RuhJi River, which is here known as the
Ruaha, the country is surrounded by
mountains, through which it is difficult
to march. About all we know of Uhehe
is derived from the writings of Joseph
Thompson, who was the first white man
to pass through this country. He made
his journey in 1879, though Burton
nearly 20 y iars before passed through a
corner of the country and formed very
unfavorable opinion of the natives,
Thompson gave more fattering account
of the Wahehe.
He said they are rather good looking
lot of negroes, light in color, with fine
muscular figures. Their arms at that
time consisted of assegais, a stabbing
spear, and weapon that was between a
billhook and an axe. 1t is said, how
ever, that they have since obtained good
firearms from the Portuguese, and this is
the reason, doubtless, they were able so
overwhelmingly to defeat the German
expedition. They are a pastoral race,
depend largely on their cattle for food,
and the men never condescend to work
in the fields, Thompson said not single
article was stolen from him, though the
natives did not receive him in a very
friendly manner, and he had difficulty in
buying food from them.
The history of this tribe illustrates in a
curious manner with what rapidly Cen
trail African people sometimes grow from
feebleness to power in few years.
Twenty-Five years ago the Wahehe were
not at all known for prowess or super.
iorty over other tribes. Then chief
named Machinga rose among them, who
by his bravery and energy, vastly ex.
tended the dominion and Importance OF
his tribe. Burning with ambition tc
gain greater power and wealth, he deter
mined to wrest the country of Urori from
the hands of the great and powerful
chief Merere. He had such influence
over his subjects that they were ready tt
follow wherever he led. 1t is not neces
sary here to tell the story of his long
campaigns against the people to thC
west and southwest. In every engage
ment the Wahehe were victorious. Vii
lagos were burned and cattle seized, anC
like an irresistible wave the native
swept across the plateau, devastating thu
entire country. Finally Machinga ex
tended his power clear to Lake Nyassa
All the tribes he met were in subjectiol
to him.
Within the past few years, since til,
murder of this great chief by one of hi
subordinates, who coveted his power
some of the tribes who surrendered thei
independence to Machinga have recovered
their former territory, and the impor
lance of the Wahehe is thus considerable,
reduced, though they are still YER,
|, powerful people.
1t is said that Germany will start al
/ expedition to punish these warlile ma
} tives. 1t is a curious fact that event
r seem to demonstrate that small and com
| paratively weak parties of travellers &c
: along in inner Africa more safely tina
large and finely armed bodies. The bi
expeditions of Germany in both west an
east Africa, and of the French unde
Crampel, north of the Congo, have bee
terribly defeated, and the bloody recor
, of the past 10 months has never befol
; been equaled in the history Of Africa
[ nrnln1.n ton