The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-22

LONDON. Jan. zI-The Evening News
publishes This afternoon = dispatch from
Aagosa. capital of the British Vest Afri-
Can c0.0ny o. that name. giving details OF
the massacre Of the British expedition
uneer Consul General J. K Phillips By the
Inhabitants OF Benin city cary during the
present month.
TIE party consisted OF Consul General
Phillips MAJ T. W G. Copeland -Crapy-
ford, deputy commissioner and consul IA
the Niger coast protectorate and sdJoin-
ing native territery; Capt. a II. Bois-
Tagon, coumaneant q the Niger coast
prolect0rste forces Capt. Mailing. Of the
Sixteenth Lancers, an officer OF the Niger
coast profectorate force. X. r. Locke. Of
The consular staff II, C. Campbell. OF the
consular staf. Dr. X. II. Elliott, MEDICAL
officer. ami Messrs. Powis and Gordon
civilians. The party was uuarmed and
was proceeding 20 Benin city II order 70
make a request for a conference with
klng Obooah In regard 20 increasing the
trading facilities with that part of Afriea-
The king. having previously consented
that the expedition should visit his capt
sai the zine officers weat laarmr1. II or
der 20 impress the king with the peaceful
character of their mission. and over 200
rative carriers were taken Win tie par
IS 10 proDel the canoes and carry presents
intended far the king. After proceeding
ap the river the expedition landed az
spot about lfteen niles from Benin city.
ard the carriers ReFe sent ahead through
the dense jungle the officers following.
Five miles from Benin city the officers
suddenly came upon a narrow defise which
was filed with TIE Geae carriers. who were
fearsuily uaaGilaEed. Almost Immediately
afterwards the officers and their servants
were surrounded and attacked by hundreds
of savages armed with guns. cutiasses,
--nF
the members OF the party excepting Bols-
ragon and Locke were killed.
Capt. Boisragoa and ais companion after
wandering Ia The husR for a week. sue
ceeded ~ reaching New Benin. wounded
and exhausted. bringing the first authentic
news % the massacre. although seven
krooTaan OF tire carrier party also sue
ceeded IA escaping and were the FIRST 20
spread the report Of toe disaster. The af-
fair is hooked upon as deserving punitive
expedition.
Benin city Is known as the city of blood,
on account OF its being the seat OF the
fetch priests o. that part Of Africa and
because human sacrifices are OF frequent
occurrence. the remains Of sacrificed slaves
being seen bleaching in the sun on all
sides.
The British warships Phoebe. widgeon.
Aiecto. BarosSa. Theseus and Forte have
already been dispatched 20 the entrance
Of the river Benin. British officers left
Liverpool FOR the same coast Saturday. and
munitions OF war viii follow on Saturday
next
A late telegram from Lagos. received
tonight. gives a stlil further detail OF the
massacre at Benin. on the Niger The ex-
pedltion II IS said. was greeted In
friendly way at every Town along It's
course. and received peaceful messages
from the king. But upon approaching
Benin City, the members were fred upon
from ambush.
Acting Consul General Phillips Or. r.
II. Elliott and Mr. Powes fell dead on the
spot. Mai. P. " J Poland-Crawford was
wounded Capt. BolsTagon and Mr.. e. F.
Locke carried him off but he was wound
ed again. so that be died in a few min
utes. after lmpioring his companions 70
seek their own safety and leave him to his
fate Mr., II. c. Campbell. Of the consular
san was captured and taken 10 Benin
City. but the king had him taken 20 an ad-
Jacent village, where he IVES killed.
All the Europeans who We're killed were
afterwards bshesde1. and King Obboah
has sent the finger rings belonging 70 Act
INK Consul General Palllips back as an act
OF defiance