The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-23
A REMARKABLE LITTLE WAR.
Enslasa Deaed by Two Puny Tribes d
West Africa,

EneInsd Dened by Two Funy Trfbes IN
West Africa.
The cable brought news on Thursday last
that the British have begun their war on the
Jebu and Egba tribes. who have brought the
large trade OF Lagos to q standstl The
natives were badly defeated in the first battle.
which was fought on Jobu soil
These two tribes have been engaged In re-
markable attemptto block the entire trade OF
the most flourishing town In West Africa. The
English colony OF Lagos Is upon the coast OF
the Gulf OF Guinea. Its capital. Lagos. con-
tains 10000 people and is the most populous
town on the west coast Its trade Is very
active for an African town. Last year Lagos
imported commodities worth about S2.50OO 900.
while its exports amounted to about 80 O0O.-
600. The trade was less THANH 1t would have
been had 1t not been for tho hostility of these
two troublesome tribes
Lagos derives most OF its commerce from the
rich and populous country Of Yorube. whose
southern border Is about eighty miles inland.
Its population is between 100000 and 4.O0O.-
COO. Tho people are peaceful and devoted to
agriculture. Yoruba happens to be separated
from Lagos by small region inhabited by
the warliko tribes of the Egbas and Jebus.
These tribes were formerly slave catchers. who
supplied ships along that coast with human
cargoes TO carry beyond the sen. Since the
suppression Of tho slave trade they have lived
in part by colectisg palm oil and rubber
In the forests. Their chief source Of In
come. however, has been levyinG heavy tax
upon the commodities passing through their
country to and from Yoruba- This tax has
often amounted to more than double the value
OF the goods. This. Of course. has been
very serious obstacle In tho way of the do
velopment OF British trade. The English colo
NAL Administration has repeatedly sought to
induce the chiefs to impose more reasonable
tax. Tho tribes. however. were opposed to
any reduction. and. as. tho British could not
to obtain It, the authorities in London have
preferred to let commerce endure this heavy
sxaction ret, rather than take violent measures to
Early last year the Dahomeyans began to
plumber the little kingdom OF llaro. whose
tai the large and well. known town Of Abcoku-
to. His people appealed for protection to the
replied that they were very busy themselves
keeping tho warriors Of Dahomey at a respect
IN heF hsn psos Of
turned to, the Governor, Of Lagos and begged
for British protection. Mr. Denton. the secro-
to increase the territorial oossessi ons Of the
the SO Ike EsSs ch He
tested vigorously against this decision. but in
Then few days later the English thought it
necessary to arrest an Egba chief who had
committed some peccadill1. and in tbs. scrim:
Lagos killed seven OF the EGba, natives. These
two incidents made a great deal Of excitement;
further east. events were occurring which
stirred up there also great deal of bad feel
: Mr.. Denton had been negotiating with the
Jebus for II reduction Of the tax on trade Tho
discussion became 50 warm that Denton sud
and he made undiGnitled haste In reaching
the coast; Then the new Governor Of Lagos. Mr.
tho King Of the Jebus. who agreed to send a
mission to Lagos to treat with the English In
January last convention was signed at Lagos
Of payment Of S2.5OO annually to renounce
their right to impose tax upon commerce
When the Commission returned home with
this docH%ent storm aboHt their
receive such wrstched pit,ancn in ex ain
for the right OF taxation; which had been as
es so8r tint tie ssy sn
had been extorted from their ENJOYS and they
would not acknowledge It as binding. The
sisp and that The Je"ns must Stand ~ sG It.
each other for sympathy, and finding TINT both
had serious grievances against the British
hSey to e Ss nss
far and wide that tIencefoith not q pound OF
through their territory to the British coast
and that any trader from the coast who. came
into their country to carry goods to Yoruba
Beginning With the first week in February
last. every road through the country and all
the navigable waterways were guarded
Lagos and the interior was entirely cut
pryod Of trading advantages With the
Pert Of great power by 1Eo LITTLE hut saey
fore the merchants Of England began to be
badly hurt by this situation. The Chambers
Don GIasscT and bristoI aSnpiSe5 %sisx4ts s
discuss the situation and decide upon q rom
edy At this meeting and
ton ton against the beigersnt ttiSos oS'i The
question came. up In Parliament and here
lawmakers wer" in favor ,of II military expe
dition. Others were of the opinion that the
Colonial Onlce should negotiate will the M
t. the trailing centres beyond. The tiovern-
ment was very slow in meeting the wishes Of
the merchants who wer. naturally impatient
standstil
At last however. the Governor of Lagos was
authorized to send sa nm expedition against tho
been the repulse OF the two tribes. W" do not
know yet whether tn battle will end the
trouble. It is probable. however. that the
that tho tribes will find it would have been
much better to have kept ont of war from
which they were certain to emorge defeated
and to be compelled to accept any terms the
British choose to offer.
Another Hard Fight In West Africa.
LONDON. May 22.-Despatches from Lagos
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