Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-04-13
FOR SHIPPING NEWS SEE PAGE z.
TIE MERCHANT EXPEDITION
Still P!oddng Along in airica-The Hopes Of
the Leaders.

Correspondence of The Associated Presso
Brazzaville. Africa. January 3l.-I have
been waiting many days for some au-
thentic news about Merchand's eNpedi-
ton. The leaders were at ErazzaViile
when / arrived on the coast, but the road
between Manyanga and Brazzayille, a
distance of about 10 miles, was closed on
account of petty wars among the natives,
and Marchand's men could not get their
300 loads Of supplies up to Brazzaville TO
proceed on their journey UP the MobanSi
river toward the equator. As a last re-
sort, Merchand burned every village on
the Manyanga road. killing a few hun
dred natives and taking all their live
stock for food.
that 40 natives had stopped two white
men and their carriers ut the crossing ut
Quello river We were in no mood 10 lie
stopped as our food supplies were nearly
exhausted. sc having been delayed on
tRe road by severe rain storms which
had overlooked the rivers and creeks. 50
when the natives stopped us, We loaded
our rifles before them, advanced threat
eniugly and told them that the first on
VINO intcrfered would be shot. We passed
through the blockade with carriers and
supplies without difficulty.
Upon arriving at Brazzslvillo, we found
Merchand making preparations to go the
relief OF the mon 1T the tluelio river
crossing. This WAS the preteXt OF declar-
ing war against the natives The de-
tails of the battles were received from
one of his soldiers who returned here.
The first real siirmish was with chief
named Mobyalla. Whoor some OF his tribe
killed a soldier, a year ago. Merchand 5
men marched on the village. Mobyaila
showed resistance but his flint locks Were
not equal to the modern rifles. Mobyaiia
was wounded and his head cut eff and
brought to iiraz&aVillc. The natives sly
over fGo mon were killed ia this village,
but Aerchauds soldiers assert that tie
number was not more than . or 50. At
ter battle. the village was burned.
Continuing their march, the villagers
along the Many3nga road were sur
rounded at night. AS daylight APP
the blast OF a trumpet, ana as they came
out Of their nuts were shot down on al.
sides. Village after village WAS destroyed
in this manner. no quarter being given.
The expedition consists Of four white
officers and 1G3 black soldiers from west
ern Soudan, called Senegalese. but they
are by right S0udanese. They arrived al
Ioaugo. on the coast, july II. 1875 Prep
arations are now making to continue tn
march up the AIobangl. Captain DbanAi
has charge OF a force which IS marching
TO the Equatorial lakes md the source
of the Nile on Henry N. Staniey's Old
trail. I'D the Aruwimi river.
Another expedition under she leadership
Of NJ. Genie is blockaded on some sina4l
rivers Which empty into the Mobangl
where it turns south toward the Congo.
The latest word from him is that his en-
petition is short of provisions and MS
p0SitiU critical.
The object OF the Merchant expedition
Is to march TO the headw0tGrs of the No
bangi. cross over 10 the headWate1S Of
the Nile and attack the Dervishes or
Arabs. while Captain Dh3HS Will attack
them from another pOint The eXDeI'
lions. while ende3VoTinS 20 conquer tle
Arabs. Also viii look after the French
and Belgian interests in this section ana
checkmate the English in attempts %
occupy the territory.
If the plan is successful it will cOrnect
the French Congo with Lake Ichdd