Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-08-28

ored to remobilize their forces. AT $50
even the most intrepid reiterated, aban-
doning their dead, numbering 40 war
riors and Z AmaZons. Our flying patrols
soon brought word that the plain below
was covered with corpses- We left
dead on the field. of whom We're Euro
peans, and &c men of Lemoine's detach-
ment were wounded.
1t was thought at the time that King
Behanzin would never return. but the
rashness of this conjecture has since
been realized, for the king has returned
and with 2 vengeance, within the last
few weeks. The cause of the present
trouble is the failure of Dahomey's
ruler TO observe the terms of tho treaty
he entered into with France in October,
1890. BY this treaty the rights of the
French at Kotonou were recognized
and assured immunity from disturb
ance, yet for several months past the
small garrison at Kotonou has been
harrassed perpetually by the Dahomey-
ans. The unfavorable season prevented
the French from operating to advan-
tage in the field. and this circumstance
left the friendly tribes who act as their
allies exposed to the vengeance of the
hostiles. One special cause of trouble
is King Behanzin's persistence in as
serting rights over the kingdom of
Porto-Novo, the ruler of which, Toffa,
long since sought and obtained the
protectorate of France, yet he has late
lv been the constant victim Of Daho-
meyan incursions into his territory.
France has now taken the field with the
firm determination of bringing matters
to o climax and forcing Behanzin to
come TO his senses The arrival of re-
Inducements enabled Col. Dodds, the
French commander, to take measures
for the complete protection of the De
came country. He has fortified all his
positions and enlarged the circle of out
posts, and has now arranged matters so
that he can command communications
between Porto-Novo and Sakete, on the
Adjara river, near the English territory
in Lagos, and also from Porto-Novo to
Dangbo. French warships despatched
TO the coast of Africa have bombarded
oil the towns on the shore line, while
the land forces, advancing into the inte-
rior, have storned and burned the vii
lagos, fighting the opposing bands Of
Dahomeyans they encountered on the
way. In these conflicts the French loss
was very slight, but that of the enemy
was severe France is In this war to
stay, but the nature of the country her
soldiers have to fight in and the meth
= T. 10 -. =,
may possibly entail considerable ex-
penditure of blood and treasure. OF
course there can be only one result,
however protracted the struggle.
Frances chief object is 10 protect her
commercial interests in Dahomey.
Formerly Portugal had similar inter
ests there, but In recent years she has
evinced little solicitude about them, and
has even abandoned fort she used TO
occupy at Whydah. A certain fea-
ture OF the situation which may even
tually become very important is the ex-
istence Of considerable German trade in
this part Of Africa, and il is well known
that tho Dahomeyans have received
supplies Of arms and ammunition from
the German merchants Ono German
house at Whydah is represented by n
Herr Richter, who has SO completely
won the affections of Behsnzin as 10
have almost assumed the dignity OF a
court official From him the Dahomey-
ans have acquired much Instruction in
modifying as tirailleurs and also In the
manipulation Of field pieces and In
craftsmanship. The kings troops are
regularly drilled. and the chief instruc.
/ tor has been Richter. When il was re-
/ solved - attack the town of Whydah
/ Col Dodds notified the European resi-
/ dents and gave them time 10 leave,
/ whereupon they all did leave with the
I exception 81 the Germans, who declined
I % accept the notice Whether this may
/ OF may not yet become the nucleus oi
/ an International difficulty between
I France and Germany is a question oi
\ grave uncertainty in the minds Of
I many. J g nUHAMEI..
j Ens Sc