The sun., 1891-06-17

ZrNTaRAFr had founded on a previous ex-
pedtlon. Friendly relations had been es-
tablishcd between tho Ball trlbo and the
Germans, and trado had been opened
between tho Bali people and Came
roors. Just beyond the Balls. however,
lives tho hostile chief OF tho Bafuti, who sent
word to the whites that they would not DO
permitted to travel further east. He MUIR
dercd two messengers whom DR.. ZtNTaRAFg
sent to him with offers Of peace. The war
like Balls told the explorer that the Bafuti
could DO reduced to submission, and offered
to reinforce his expedition by 5000 warriors
and sweep the enemy out of tho road The
offer was accepted, and on Jan. 81 last
stubborn battle took place, the result OF
foil into the hands OF the white men and
their nllics and was burned to the ground.
On tho next day, however. when the Balls
had exhausted nearly their entire supply OF
ammunition. they were attacked by tho
enemy, who were estimated to number
10000 men, and, after terrible battlc, DIR.
IINTdRAFF and his army were driven pell
nell from the field. It Is known that the
Bafuti suffered n loss OF ut least 500 men,
but the loss OF ZINTGRAfF's army was still
greater. or his own force Of 500 men nenrly
200 were killed or left on the field. Among
the dead were Lieut.. Won SPANaENBERa and
Messrs. TH1EBE and NEHBER OF the trading
company. Tho cable despatch speaks OF
Germans among the prisoners taken by the
savages, but this Is probably nn error. as 1t
is believed no living white men fell into
their hands.
After this terrible reverse DIR. ZINTaRAFF
remained for fourteen days unmoested In
his station at Baliburg, and then retreated
to the coast, In order to equip IN expedition
to punish tho natives who had vanquished
him. 1t is the expedition he raised and de-
spatched to the interior, which returns
with the report that unfortunate members
of his party who were taken prisoners had
killed themselves to avoid torture. But tho
cable despatch does not tell half the story
OF tho party that was sent from Cameroons
to nvenge the defeat OF the earlier e1pedi-
ton. All we know OF 1t Is contained In
the Niger River.
The avengers were themselves most terri-
bly, defeated, In spite OF their superior weap-
ons. Tho white leaders Of the expedition
were killed to q man, and those OF their un-
fortunate followers who escaped the over
whelming onslaught OF the enemy. struggled
north to the Benue River. where they were
found in woful plight by British traders and
taken down to the sea. This years sad
record OF German fighting In the unknown
lands behind Cameroons is the most sur
prising and appalling chapter In the history
Of European dealings with African abo-
rigines For the first time the savaRes Of
Africa have offered successful resistance, not
to poor explorer with handful OF men.
but to large and well-organized expeditions,
equipped and sent out by European Gov
ernment and fully prepared. 1t was be-
lieved, to find q way or make one. The
cheap muskets made for tho African trade,
and reputed to be moro dangerous to the
men who fire them than to any one else
have at last had their day Of triumph.
When the complete story OF these tragic
events is known, 1t will not be surprising II
1t is found that the Germans are themselves
responsible In large measure for their terri
BILE reverses. Somehow 1t happens that the
German pathway in Africa Is usually marked
with blood. where the men Of other nations
walk in peace. Compared with the British
they are novlces in the art Of making their |
way In savage lands. Their:experience both |
in East and West Africa seems to prove that |
they do not possess the art OF conclliatlon;
and when difficulties arise. they show little |
tact and are apt to precipitate serious trouble.