Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-07-29
A BRAVE MANS ACT.
Going Unarmed to Reason with Ssvag,
African Chief.

African Chief.
An African chief on the Cazamanze
river, in West Africa, named Fode Kaba,
says the New York Sun, has been max
ing good deal of trouble for the French
and English. He occupies territory on
the bank Of the Cazamanze river, which
| is nOminally within Frances dominions,
though she has never attempted to ex-
ert real authority in the region. His
country borders on the English posses
sionS to the north, and for some time
past warriors from his twenty-seven viii
lagos, instigated by their King, have
flocked over the border and devastated
part of the English territory. The
English grew very tired of these pro-
ceedings and appealed to France to
make the King behave himself or to join
with the English in an expedition that
would teach him better manners. The
French thought they would first try
Cancellation, and they sent Mr.. Brosse-
lard, with a military escort, to reason
with the savage monarch.
Fode Kaba, however, was on his dig
nifty, declared himself to be as great a
king as the ruler of France, and said he
would do as he pleased. He had around
him very large armed force, and the
French ambassador decided that 1t was
wise to return to the coast, report
progress and declare that very severe
lesson must be administered to the
naughty monarch. Then the French
government decided that it would join
England in sending an expedition
against the King.
1t was looking around TO see what
troops were at its disposal to dispatch
on this stern mission when one of its
employees, Mr. FOrichon, SAID he be-
lieved he could arrange the trouble
He thought he could induce the King to
| listen to reason II he went unarmed to
FOde Kaba, without wasting any pow
der, men or money. The French gov
ernor, who seems to be really opposed,
| If he can help 1t, TO making experiments
upon savages with the improved wea-
pons OF modern warfare, decided to see
what FOrichOn could do. So one day
the new ambassador left the coast with
his hands in his pockets, without an es-
cOrt, without so much as revolver,
aud with only few provisions slung
! over his shoulder. In this simple fash
ion he made his way to the village Of
the terrible FOde Kaba.
He told the King he had come to him
as his friend, and that the ruler Of
France was very much averse to spilling
the blood of the subjects of his great
brother, Fode Kaba. He said France
wished to live at peace with all the peo-
] nj 10 n In n 10 ha,
happy and prosperous. They had a
long talk, in the course Of which the
King learned that an expedition had
actually been preparing to march against
him, when this young man volunteered
Co 90 unarmed into the hostile region
and settle the trouble by peaceful
words.
After thinking it over for a while the
King decided that he would make peace
with the French, and he promised to re-
strain his warriors in future from raid
Ing on the English territories. he told
the envoy that If France would send
somebody to him to make q treaty he
would enter into negotiations with him
at once. So ForichOn wendell his way
back to the coast and told the French
that there would be no trouble hereaf-
ter. He was sure the King meant to
keep his word, and he advised that
further negotiations be at once opened.
The total cost OF this expedition of one
man has been about $50.
The French thereupon sent COM
mission to the King, and on February
% treaty was signed, in which Fode
Kaba, the King Of FOgny, agreed TO
submit his territory to France. III
token Of his vassalage ne promised to
pay to the French the very nominal
tribute Of two sheep year. He further
agreed not to permit any depredationS
upon English soil and to renounce his
claim upon the native villages he had
captured in English territory. He also
agreed that he would open to French
enterprises the rubber forest along the
banks OF the rivers and would permit
the French TO trade and engage in other
enterprises in his country. At last acss
counts the King was faithfully carrying
out his promises. 1t was a pacific VIC
tory. Through the Intervention of one
brave man, who thought be could coax
the unreasonable ruler into submission,
an expedition of French and British
soldiers which expected soon to start
for the interior was kept on the coast,
and thus great blOOdshed and a large
sacrifice Of mOLeV were aVerted