The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-22
England Placed I'm n had Light and
the Colonial Policy Being criti-
cised by Leading Papers.
A WEST AFRICAN MYSTERY
ROYAL NIGER COMPANY PREPARING
A MILITARY EXPEDITION.
Lively Scene i'm Chamber of Deputies
toned by Socialists.


dia causes the gravest concern. Lord
George Hamilton. Secretary of State for
India in what the newspapers declare to
be remarkable speech, has admitted that
10000 are now affected or threatened
with dangerous scarcity. though it is
thought the government has some prospect
OF coping successfully with the situation.
The unusual action of the Russian news
papers in appealing for subscriptions for
the relief of the Hindoos is received here
with considerable suspicion, especially
IL is suggested that the Russian govern
ment should superintend the buying and
dispatch OF grain 10 India. The newspa-.
pers hint that the handspring of such ac-
ton Is more likely 10 be found I'm political
than In charitable motives.
The st. James Gazette, after pointing
out the absence of British fund. and
confessing suspicion of the Russian mo-,
tives. says: THE moral effect can hardly
help being bad. especially II the Russian
agents distribute the money in India"
The Berlin National Zeitung, comment
ing on the affair. remarks: THE famine
has given the Russians the opportunity of
recommending themselves to the Hindoos
as helpers in time of need and as generous
friends. whereas Great Britain must seem
impotent as solicitating aid from Rus
STA
A great deal of excitement has been
aroused in west African circles by a mys-
ferrous expedition which is being arranged
by the Royal. Niger Company, which has
massed a thousand native troops at Lokoya.
on the River Niger. ana at he, on the
Benue. while about thirty British officers
have sailed TO take command of this force.
The officials of the Niger company main
tain silence respecting the destination of
the expedition, which is believed to be
either against the rebellious Ilorian tribe
or to restore order in the Sultan of Soko-
to's dominions. The French and German
newspapers express great alarm, suggest
ing that the expedition is a second jane
son analr. the idea being TO encroach on
huence. The trouble in the empire Sokoto
which Is the largest and most pOpulOus in
all the Soudan. and which is under the con-
troll OF the Niger company. calls attention
10 the career of the remarkable negro adj
venturer Rabah. who. from being a slave
OF ZcDehr Pasha, has become cheftain of
the central Soudan, having conquered sui
tanate after sultanate. He lives in bar
baric splendor, and IL is reported that he
now intends TO invade the empire of Sokoto,
which. being within the British sphere.
probi sy led TO the formation of their ex-
petition The Niger territories admins
a royal charter cover about 500 600 square
miles and contain a population variously
estimated at from 2o.oOo,oOO to 100000
The news from Liberia is also very un-
satisfactory. Natives of Sierra Leone, the
British colony. have been maltreated and
their houses have been destroyed by citi-
zens OF the negro republic. AS a result two
British gunboats have been sent to Mon
rovia. the capital Of Liberia, to insist upon
reparation. In the meanwhile the British
Bassa are not allowed to communicate with
the shore. The Liberian navy. one small
steel gunboat of $50 tons has had the au-
dacity to fire on one of her Britannia Ma
Jesty's mailhoats. The shot went wide, and
the Ilailboat, on returning to England
h eov ere Ia .ne nands OF the Brit
are anticipated.
1t Is announced that the colonial bacteri-
ologist, Codington, has discovered the mi
crobe OF the rinderpest, which has been
scourging South Africa
IL the reported resignation of Sir II.
Drummond- Wolff the British ambassador
at Madrid, turns cut to be correct, Mr..
!. Michael Herbert, formerly of the British
the embassy of Great Britain at Constan-
nnople' may be sent to Madrid.
The Royal College of Surgeons has finally
uSSiucu W AUNT "OuiSu 10 ulplOIndS IN that
college
The Board of Trade report, referring to
the strikes and lockouts of the year 1895.
computes that Il. 100 900 (s5, 600 00O) in wages
Was mus iost, compared win &20UV, UUD
tsl0WO.OOO) In 1884. The percentage of per-
sons concerned in the disputes arbitrated
was a. as compared with 81 in 1894.
party OF twenty-five cyelist champions
sailed for New York on the St. Paul to-day.
They included Linton Dubois and RUNS
den Bouge of Italy, and Hale of Ireland
They are all 10 take part in the tournament
at Madison-square Garden.