The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-01-11
BATTLE BY MOONLIGHT
FRENCH AND BRIrIsH SOLDIERS FIear
THROUGH MISTAKE.
The French Officer Attacking Mistook the
White Fatigue Uniforms of the Brit
ish officers for the Dress Of
Arab Chiefs.

LONDON, Jan. 6.-Particulars con-
cerning the battle between the French
and British troops on the frontiers of
Sierra Leonon on5lsl,';Iv coast of
Africa are coming in slowly and every
hour seems TO give graver aspect to
affairs. The situation will require
careful handling in order to avert seri-
GUS complications. Particulars of the
engagement received today say that
the British force, said to number about
5OO native troops sent against the So
tas, were encamped near Warina
within the sphere Of British influence.
Shortly before daylight on Dec. 90 the
camp was attacked by 80 Senegalese
sharpshooUers supported by % native
French auxiliaries under Lieutenant
Moritz of the French regular army.
The FIench opened fire upon the
British, who replied, and after fight
ing had continued for some time the
French retired and Lieutenant Moritz,
who had been wou ded, was captured
by the British and brought into camp.
immediately upon being questioned
rs to his reason for opening fire upon
the British troops, Lieutenant Moritz
explained that he mistook the British
for force of Sofas under European
officers and Arab leaders.
Lieutenant Moritz, in spite OF assis--
tance promptly rendered him, died of
his wounds. In addition, of the 10
Sengalese sharpshooters, who were a
kind OF frontier police, which accom-
panied the expedition in addition to
Inspector General Lendy, two were
killed and three were seriously
wounded. The British force, it was
added, remains at Warina.
The governor of Sierra Leon cabled
to Marquis of Ripon, secretary of state
for the colonies, confirming the dis
patches and stating that the French
claimed that they though the British
were enemies, though it appears GER
tain that the scene of the encounter
was we'll on this side OF the border.
The colonial Office this afternoon an
nounced that the affair will be made
the subject of stringent investiga-
ton so soon as full details of the affair
are received from the governor of
Sierra Leon.
LATER NEWS.
News just received from Sierra Leon
says that the encounter took place
during a period OF brightest moonlight
and that when the French surprised
the British force the latter were un-
prepared for the engagement and
could not easily have been mistaken
for Sofas. Later dispatches also say
that the French officer in command
who was mortally wounded, prior to
his death in the British camp was
able to explain his blunder 1t is said
that in the moonlight he nistook the
white campaigning costume of the
British officers for the white dress OF
the Arab chiefs whom he supposed to
be in command of the force of So
fas. 1t is now said that this
statement of the French officer
makes it perfectly clear that the mis-
take was made by the French aud
that no responsibility attaches to the
British officers.
1t is not yet explained, however,
what the French force was doing in
the locality which WAS we'll within
the British zone, and this point is.
liable to lead to serious complications
wien cOuDieu. VlUu GV0 SuOOtlDR OF
British officers ard soldiers. Leading
English newspapers were inclined TO
suspend judgment oyel the affair until
full details OF the engagement are re-
ceived from the governor OF Sierra
Leon, and until an explanation is fur
nished by the French authorities as to
the presence within the British border
Of such large force of French troops.
The Daily News, which may be sup
posed to actually represent the views
of the government on the subj ct, says
that the incident will form the basis
of strict inquiry by both governments.
adding that were two nations involved
less strong and less sure of them selves
it might result in immeasurable evil.
Pending receipt of details no one in
this country can fail to realize the tre-
mendous responsibility which attaches
to every utterance on the subject.