The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-27

A conflict between the French and
British forces in the Lagos Hinterland
has been anticipated for some time past.
Both countries have been hurrying troops
into the disputed territory. The trouble
is of about thirty years standing.
In 1870 France and Great Britain opened
negotiations for the settlement Of their re-
spective frontiers in West Africa, and it
was decided i'm substance that French
influence and authority should be con-
fined 10 the north of "a certain line, and
that Great Britain should have free
hand south Of this lire. The outbreak OF
the Franco-Prussian war interrupted the
negotiations. There was considerable op-
position in both countries 10 the conces-
sion Of any interest. and during. the next
five years difficulties frequently occurred.
Finally il was resolved 10 appoint COM
missioners TO reconsider the whole mat
ter. and as a result in the next ten years
four separate agreements were concluded.
one dealt with the territorial limits Of
Sierra Leone. the second arranged a num-
Der of disputed points regarding GAMBIA.
Sierra Leone. the gold coast and Lagos;
the third drew line between the spheres
Of the two countries I'm the Niger region,
running from Say on the Niger to Baru,
on Lake Tchad and making detour so as
10 include tho Kingdom OF Sokoto in the
British sphere. and the fourth settled the
interior Of the frontier of Sierra Leone,
relinqushing the Hnterland 20 France
But since these agreements were ar
rived at further difficulties have arisen,
owing TO the failure Of the boundary
commissioners of Great Britain ana
France TO agree among themselves as TO
the frontier lines, and especially as to
the Interpretation Of the Say-Bayu treaty
Principally owing to the absence Of any
boundary line to the southwest Of say
where the competition OF the British and
French has been very strong
A GREAT EMPIRE.
The British Niger Company. which was
first in the field. concluded "A number OF
treaties with native chiefs bringing the
whole Of the Borgu and DahOmey Hinter-
land within the British sphere This was
during the fan Of 1884, In the meanwhile
the French were trying to establish
great Afrlcad empire. 10 extend from Al
geria to the basins OF the Congo and the
upper Nile. But for this purpose it was
essential TO secure the Iiinterland of
Lagos and Canotville in Northern Do
honey became the base for the despatch
ing of q number of French expeditions
The British Niger Company, however,
getting wind Of the French plans. de-
spatched Captain now Major Lugard 10
Nikki, the capital Of Burgu for the pur,
pose OF negotiating a treaty with the ma
tive ruler and the English officer was for
tunate enough to reach there before
French officer. Commandant DeCoeur.
who was bound for the same place and
with the same intention although the
latter had the start. and Lugard secured
his treaty and carried II away three
weeks before DeCoeur arrived at Nikki.
The French however. seemed 10 have
chosen TO disregard this fact and have
despatched armed expeditions. not only
to Nikki. but to Broussa which has all
along been ACKNOWLEDGED to be within the
British sphere.
The French have raised the question
whether the right bank Of the Niger be-
low Saw IS properly included in the Brit
ish sphere under the Say-Barua treaty.
and 10 settle these and other questions
IN dispute. commissioners representing
Great Britain and France are now tardi-
ly beginning to deliberate in Paris.