The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-09
LAND GRABBERS' WAR
Cause of the Trouble Between the
British and Portuguese.
GunbOats and Forts Barking Because q
Few Telegraph Poles We're Pulled
Down i'm South Africa.

PORT NATAL, Southeast Africa, March
S.-The collision between Portuguese and
British on the Zambezi river. account
of which was cabled yesterday, is due
to an attempt of the Mozambique COM
pany to obtain pecuniary benefits from the
African Transcontinental Telegraph Com
pany. which is engaged in extending its tel
egraphic system from Fort Salisbury, in
Mashonaland, in order to connect with the
system of telegraph lines extending from
Cairo down the east coast Of Africa. The
line referred to was to have crossed the
Zambezi river in the vicinity of Tete, cap
ital of the Portuguese territory of Kill
name. The officials of the British Tele-
graph Company resisted all such attempts,
and were sustained by the colonial govern
ment, Premier Cecil Rhodes being person
ally interested in the telegraph enterprise.
The relations between the Portuguese and
British have been growing constantly more
strained, and the former finally went so
far as TO boycott the supplies of fuel and
provisions intended for the British gum
boat Herald, a steel stern-wheel vessel of
eightytwo TONS intended for use upon the
river.
IL now appears that the collision was
commenced by the firing of two cannon
shots from the Portuguese fort as a warn
ing to stop work and leave the banks Of
the ZambeZi river Shortly afterwards a
number of boats, loaded with Portuguese
native soldiers and police, put out from the
shore, crossed the Zambezi river and pulled
down the telegraph poles erected by the
British. The construction party resisted,
but no loss of life is reported. The tele-
work appealed TO Commander Carr. of the
British gunboat Mosquito, which was lying
close 10 the shore, where the British party
was at work, asking for projection. There
upon, Commander Carr notified the Portu-
guese officer in command that he would
open fire upon the Portuguese If the work
of constructing the telegraph line was
interfered with any further, and the COM
mander of the Mosquito also Immediately
sent for reinforcements, as he was far out
numbered and In a very dangerous posi-
replied that they would insist that no
further work should be done upon the tel
egraph line, and also sent for reinforce
ments. which were promptly sent forward.
Unofficial information received since Com
mander Cars report reached this place is
to the effect that there has been firing be-
tween the Mosquito and the Portuguese
forts. ana that there has also been further
conflict between the Portuguese and the con-
struction party, which has resulted in loss
of life. Several of the British gunboatS on
the Eambezi river are at points where IL
Is impossible TO communicate with them as
promptly as is desirable, but so soon the
necessary arrangements can be made Com
mander Carr will receive achievements of
gunboatS and troops, and the rights of the
African Transcontinental Telegraph Com
pany will be upheld.
This is not the first time that England
has had trouble with Portugal in regard to
the African possessions of the latter coun-
try. and it is believed that the Tete Incl
dent will be taken advantage OF Dy the
British authorities to settle once ana for all
the question in dispute regarding boundary
limitations and other matters which have
long been a source of considerable annoy
ance to the colonial officials of both coun-
tries.