New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-25
BEHANZIN'S BOLD DECLARATIONS.
A FRENCH MERCHANT TELLS OF An INTERVIEW
WITH THE pAHoMAN MONARCH.

A FRENCH MERCHANT TELLS OF AN INTERVIEW
WITH THE pAHoMAN MONARCH.
The Paris newspaper Le Journal" in its issue OF
November :. publishes some declarations maze pS
the King Of Dahomcy to one OF his French hostages
in 1880 which foreshadowed the Obstinate resistance
offered by him. since september to the column OF zen
sral Dodds. NJ BontempS native of Chalonsur saone
In Burgundy was acting as OF the representatives
OF the great trading firms in Dahomey. when he was
seized. with other FTenchmcn. ana sent As hostage
to Abomcy in 1890 on the breaking out Of the first
hoslilities between France and King Behanzn.
Il have interviewed Bchanzn quite unwillNgy,
he said TO the editor Of lie Journal 1t would be
tedious to tell yOu what my thoughts. whcn
bearing a cangue or wooden yoke around my nech'
and tied I'D TO a cOmrade IN misfortune, we were
poorly protected by half-nakcd soldiers against an
enraged popuace, among which recognized many
Germans viii only give you the opinion oil De-
hanzin about the French rs got 1t from personal
conversation had with him, while the other hostages
at a few PAGES distance. looked at the DahOnah dleh
taries who were filing past. The reception had been
held in great pOmp, and with 'ceTemohiaf ap
preaching that OF European courts. The monarch
stood more than ten metres from us, surrounded by
his guards OF honor and his grand olshi'lries' anu
speaking TO us only through an Interpreter WHO kept
going to and fro between Us and himself Ater lie
last words OF the Interpreter. which aDpr'ed US that
we We're to be detained hostages at Abomey, up
CON- though comprehensive he allowed himself 10
think aloud and what ne said was not al all TO
be expected from Il savage:
You are afraid OF mel'
"A little on account Of what they say about you
Observation-Disclosures. l must defend myself.
Were l 10 90 in your country, you would fire at me
with your muskets Is 1t not ! Why do you come IN
INV country Ny father gave you those lands on the
other bank Of the Oueme. Why do you come here as
soldiers Let You for trade only and not other
wise or will also fire at you with muskets.
IL did not answer anything, but my silence was
far from appeaSng him, but rather the contrary.
~ viii defend myself! will defend my
self! What they think OF me- over the Sea Is rul-
cule-rldicuer lie liked that word.
With a gesture | pointed 10 the desiccated era
NUNS which adorned the walls. The negro hlns
CRASHED his teeth. -
ness OF nobody. What have you done yourselves,
twenty years ago, IN your country lou had p"luch
adversarics YOU fought together You have cap.
tured prisoners and have shot them down against
the walls OF their houses. Myself am Ia" master
wherever nv father master. | have enemies
| make them war and | cut their heads OIL. 1t j.
the same thing. and maize my people happy
-" As to slavery Pleasantly! DO You not nave
at home people who must work for others al tl'lr
life long and without being sure 10 be- FED: pur
slaves are sure TO be fed. We take care OF their
wives and children ard maintain them when thcy
" Al This moment" said the French merchant, " my
companions I'm captivity called me, as ty were being
led away. The conversation was therefore lOiclDy
interrupted"