The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-21
THE AMAzoNs ARE MARCHING

King of Dahomey Sends Notice to the
French of Their Impending Doom.
PARIS, April 20.-The government has
received dispatch which contains in
formation that the vanguard of King
Behanzin's force is within 1000 yards of
Porto Novo, and the governor of that place
is momentarily expecting an attack.
PARIS, April 20.-An official dispatch
from Porto Novo says the king of Da-
honey has written to the governor of
Porto Novo warning the French that if
they touch any of his towns he
will destroy Porto Norvo and
all the French ports in Blight
of Nenin. Large bodies of Dahomeyans
are approaching Porto Novo. and another
large force is concentrating between
Gogomey and Abomey. If they should
take the initiative in opening the war the
French possessions would be seriously
threatened. Reinforcements will be dis
patched as quickly as possible. King
Behanzin can, it is said, place in the field
1900 trained warriors.
Frances troubles with Dahomey are of COM
paratively recent origin. Two years ago the
king OF the African Amazons attacked the
town OF Porto Novo. captured Whydah and
threatened Kotonou, aud, though the Dahomi-
ans were repulsed with much slaughter, the
new king. Behanzin, appears to be as earnest
as his predecessor. King Kondo. and the lat
ter's predecessor, King Gle Gle, to drive the
French into the sea. Dahomey is situated be-
tween Ashantes, on the west, and the Niger
country and the German Cameroons, on the
east The annexation by the various pow
ers have cut off the interior Kingdoms from
the sea- England has the gold coast and the
Niger country, and the Germans the Cameroons.
ha Garra Itch opd oh
drew an imaginary line through the slave coast
The two former secured a firm foothold, and
France was left to take the middle section, if
she could. This section is q strip on the Gulf
of Guinea, 100 miles wide, aud includes the
kingdom of Porto Novo, with 10000 inhabi-
tants and king, which is described as the rich
est and best cultivated territory on the slave
coast Kotonou, the only available harbor
along the coast. was coded to France
some time ago, and through it all
the commerce of Porto Novo, Whydah
aud other towns on the mainland was carried
on At Godorney and Aprekete. small towns
near Kotonou, there are also French trading
posts The coast is low-lying, swampy, and the
climate il one of the hottest and most humid in
the world. When Lieutenant Governor Bsyol,
of Kotonou, was sent to pay the respects OF the
French government to King Kondo, on his as
cension to power, the king was celebrating the
event with great ceremonies, chief of which was
the slaughter of captives from Porto Novo viii
lagos, and when Bayol protested against this
cruelty in the name of France, Kondo as answer
beheaded $50 prisoners before the French ennis
sary's eyes. The latter only succeeded in leav-
ing Kondos domains by making promises for
his government to suit the black kings ideas
These promises, obtained under such circum-
stances, France ignored, snd prepared
to punish Kondo, who, however, took the
initiative, and started to give battle to the
French. This was in the spring of 1890 and
though the French had only SOD or COO men op-
posed against 5000 Dahomans, they succeeded
in holding Porto Novo The army of the king
includes the Amazon contingent OF 1000, the
flower OF the army, fearless, savage. strong and
we'll drilled. recent review OF the army is thus
described by Whydah trader, NJ Chadomin:
"tlften thousand men were drawn up in battle
array, motiouless and so SILENT within 100 Yards
OF our prison. They were fine fellows, robust
and full OF muscle. their white flowing robes
bringing their ebony figures into strong relief
The second line, consisting of 1000 Amazons,
the 1000 black virgins of Dahomey, form the
body guard of the king, armed with rife aud
knife, and ready to attack at the slightest sig
nal of their master. Old or young plain or
handsome, they were all alike marvellous to see
As full of muscle as the male warriors their at
titude was as well dieiplined and correct and
the leaders at the head of each
their rich attire and THAR resolute cir"
The Amazous are eelibstes, and are kept un-
der strict surveillance. The hre taught 10 fight
fanatically, and cowaIdice is punished wth
death. Their attire consists of a blue and white
sleeveless tunic and Kilt and short trousers of
stout cloth. Their weapons are daggers and
rifles, and the French assert that German
traders furnished the latter The Amazons will
charge the enemy in the face of certain death
when commanded 20 do sol