Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-07-31
WITH AMAZ0NS.
FRANCE READY AT LAST TO PUSH HER WAR
WITH DAH0MEY.
Rash Y0ang King Bshauzin Threatens to Drive The
French Into the Saa-Causs Of the Present
Tro1bls-A Nation that Counts
Women Among Its Fest
Soldiers.
Nm Ynrk SIN.

Among all civilized Nations the white
Tag is the emblem of truce prof defeat.
Tia DahOmey, the most Waf-liAe or all
African States, tits the national emblem,
symbOlical of the power Of the King, a
standard to be upheld, or the glory OF
the land will fade. The white flag OF
DahOmey is again assaiIed by Euro
Dean power. France is ready at last to
push forward with energy her war
against the proud and reckless young
King, BehanZin, whose violation Of
pledges and invasion OF French terri
tory are no longer TO be tolerated.
The French Chambers voted 5000, 600
10 carry on war. On June Il France de-
clared the blockade OF the coast TO pre-
vent the importation OF firearms. Re-
endorsements from Senegal have ar
rived at Kotonu, aud 1000 French
troops have occupied Whydah, Daho-
mey's only port. France would have
taken the offensive earlier II she had
been prepared. The regular rainy sea-
son Of the past four months, however,
would have rendered aggression din
cult; and the French have improved the
interval 10 complete their preparations.
A Scottish ship building firm beat the
record in the celebrity with which IL
turned out q large gUnboat FOR Frances
use on coast lagoOns and the Wheme
River. This iron vessel, the Opal, was
completed i'm twenty-three days after
work had begun. No French firm would
agree TO build it in less than from four
10 ten months. To will carry 400 SOL
diers, and its armament consists OF three
revolving cannons mounted on the
bridge, and four rapid-dring guns on the
spar deck. IL France decides 70 capture
the capital, Abomey, this light-drauRht
gunboat can approach within few
miles OF the town.
This war has been brought about by
violation Of pledges on the part OF Be-
hanzin. AT the close of the war Of 1889.
France made a treaty with the King by
which, in consideration Of an annual
pension Of 10000 francs, he recognized
Frances right along the coast, and
agreed 70 stop his raids into the French
protectorate OF Porto NOyO, long the
Iavorite hunting ground OF Dahomeyan
rulers for slaves and victims TO sacrifice
Ia their fetch rites. Late last fall the
King violated his agreement by sending
expeditions into Porto Novo, where they
surprised several unsuSpecting towns
and and dragged hundreds Of people TO
AbOmey. When the Lieutenant-GOv-
ernor OF the French colony protested,
The King sent an insOlent letter declar-
ing that he recognized no treaty, that
he had a right in Porto NoyO because
his fathers for ages had been the suze-
rains of that country, and that he should
continue his forays II he chose, because
all the region occupied by the French
belonged 70 him; and yet, as he knew
very well, his grandfather, King Gelele,
fourteen years ago gave up to France
all rights 70 the port OF kotouu, and he
himself had recognized Frances claims
10 Porto NOvO. The young man has
since sent word to the French that IL
they touch one Of the towns In the IN
terror he will az once destroy Porto
Novo and all the French posts. He is
carried away with an idea Of his power
and the proweSs' Of his Amazons, and
undoubtedly believes he can drive the
French into the sea.
1t has been characteristic OF all rulers
OF Dahomey 20 entertain unduly exalted
opinions OF their Importance. When
King Gelele, for instance, heard that
Germany had defeated France, he re-
marked. "Why did not my brother, the
Emperor o. France, ask me for aid? /
could have sent him soldiers, and then
am sure he would have won" Behan-
Yin is The great-grands Of Gese, the
most 7erful ruler Dahomey ever had,
who led between 1918 and 1883. The
pres9 Ter is most extraorolnary
mkt civilization and 6arbarity.
The mt note in. his Nharacter is
uni nity. While 6Sg he spent