Omaha daily bee., 1896-11-22
Hindoos Will Come to Look on Russians
as Friends in Time Of Need
MYSTERIOUS EXPEDITION IN WEST AFRICA
Newspapers of France and Germany Fear
Repetition of Jameson Raid.
UNREST IN SULTAN OF SoKoTo'S DOMAIN
All Kinds of Trouble Reported from
the West Const-Liberian Gum
boat Fires on u British
Mail Steamer.


LONDON, Nov. 21.-The situation in Indii
causes the gravest concern. Lord Georg,
Hamilton secretary for India, in what tn,
newspapers declare to be a remarkable
speech has admitted that 10000, 900 peopl,
are now affected or threatened with danger
. Gus scarcity though it is thought the gov
ernment has some prospect Of coping sue
cessfully with the situation. The unusua
action Of the Russian newspapers in appeal
ing for subscriptions for the relief of the
Hindoos is received with considerable sus.
picion, and especially as Il Is suggested that
the Russian government should superintend
the buying and dispatch OF grain to India
The newspapers hint that the handspring OF
such action is that likely to be found in
political rather than in charitable motives
The ST. James Gazette, after pointing out
the absence of British fund and confessinE
suspicion OF the Russian motives, says: The
moral effect can hardly help being bad es-
pecially If Russian agents distribute the
money in India" The Berlin National Zei-
tung commenting upon the affair. remarks:
The affair has given the Russians oppor-
tunity OF recommending themselves to the
generous friends, whereas Great Britain
mus; seem impotent as soliciting aid from
Russia"
1t is announced that the colonial bacteri-
ologst. CodIngton, has discovered the mi
crobe OF the rlnderpest, which has been
scourging South Africa.
If the reported resignation Of Sir II. Irum-
mond wolff, the British ambassador at Mad
rid. turns out to be correct, Mr.. Michael
Herbert. formerly at the British embassy at
Washington. new secretary OF the embassy
of Great Britain at Constantinople, may be
sent to Madrid.
The Royal College OF Surgeons has finally
decided to admit women to diplomas in that
college.
party OF twenty-five cyclist champions"
sailed for New York on the St. Paul to-day.
They include Linton. Dubois and Rumsden-
Bouge OF Italy and Hale of ireland. They
are all to take part in the tournament at
Madison Square Garden.
MAssING THE NATIVES.
A great deal Of excitement has been
aroused in West African circles by a mys-
terious expedition which is being arranged
by the Royal Niger company which has
massed 900 native troops at Lokoya on the
River Niger, and at Ibe on the Nenue, while
about thirty British officers have sailed to
take command OF this force. The officials of
the Niger company maintain silence respect
ing the destination of the expedition, which
is believed to be either against the rebel
lious Illorian tribe or 10 restore order in the
sultan OF Sokoto's dominions. The French
and German newspapers express great alarm,
suggesting that the expedition is a second
jameson affair the idea being to encroach
upon the German and French spheres Of in
huence. The trouble in the empire Of So
koto, which Is the largest and most popu-
lous in all the Soudan and is under the con-
trcl of the Niger company, calls attention
TO the career OF the remarkable negro ad-
yeniurer, Rabah, who from being slave Of
Zobehr Pasha, has become chieftain OF the
Central Soudan, having conquered sultanate
after sultanate. He live in barbaric splen-
dor and it is reported he now intends to
invade the empire OF Sokoto. which, being
within the British sphere. probably led to
the formation OF the expedition. The Niger
territories. administered by the Royal Niger
company under a royal charter. cover about
500. 900 square miles and contain a popula-
ton variously estimated at from 1000 600
TO 40 900 900.
The news from Liberia is also very unsst-
sfactory. Natives OF Sierra Leone, the
British colony. have been maltreated and
their houses have been destroyed by citizens
IF the negro republic. AS a result two Brit
sh gunboats have been sent to Monrovia
he capital Of Liberia, TO insist upon repara-
ion. In the meanwhile the British mail
boats calling at Rockton and Grand Bassa
ire not allowed 20 communicate with the
Ihore. The Liberian navy. one small steel
;unboat OF 15C tons. has mad the audacity
o fire upon one OF her Britannia majesty's
nail boats. The shot went wide. and the
nail boat. on returning TO England, placed
he matter in the hands of the British gov
rnment. and further developments are an
icipated."
THEATER BUSINESS GOOD.
The attendance at the various theaters
continues fairly good, though not SO large
s during the previous fortnight.
The Strand theater is doing a light busi-
less and only the suburban playhouses. |
where popular dramas at popular prices are
'eing played, are. with one or two excep- |
ions, crowded. The music halls have, as
sual only standing room.
Arthur Bourehier. who will play his first |
Engagement in America as a star, sailed for |
Few York with his company last Wednesday |
y the Teutonic. Previous TO sailing Mr.. |
'ourchier said to a representative of the
ssoeiated press: My American season |
pens Monday. November 80, at the Bijou |
heater. New York. From there our route
Brooklyn. Montreal. Toronto. Bal
more. Washington. Pittsburg. Boston. |
hieago, Philadelphia, Harlem and |
farewell engagement in New
ork. Our opening bill will be
Ouble one. consisting of The Queens Proc
'r' and Kitty Give. Our repertoire will |
lso include a triple bill. wherein will be
reduced Dearest Mama. The Liar and
Donna Diana We shall also present
donsieur de Paris and an entirely new
lay. DR.. Johnson The latter comprises