The record-union., 1897-01-22

which added to the feeling of security
which pervaded the party. Here 1t was
determined to send a number of the car
riers ahead as bearers of presents to the
King. They followed the route laid out
by the pioneers, and met with no hos
tiEty from natives, who were seen. The
carriers were four hours ahead of the
main body of the expedition, when
without a warning of any kind they
We're attacked by a large number or
warriors, who had already despatched
the pioneerKroomen. Everyone of the
carriers and those with them were mas
sacred.
The second company, entirely una
ware of the fate of their predecessors,
We're marching along, when suddenly
they came upon the piled-up bodies OF
their massacred companions. There
were no signs of an enemy, the Benin
warriors having hidden themselves in
the thick jungle to await the coming or
the second party. AS the latter were
stopped by the sight of the bodies and
began to examine them, a murderous
volley was poured into them by the am
bushed natives. Acting Consul General
Phillips, DR.. Elliott and Mr.. Powis were
instantly killed. Major Coplan Craw-
ford was wounded, and died shortly
after The natives again fired into the
party and then fell upon them and
either shot stabbed or dubbed them to
death.
Mr. Campbell, one of the Consular Off
Gals, was captured, and it is supposed
he was taken to Benin to be executed.
1t has been learned that Captain
Boiseragon and Mr.. Locke each had
revolver. and before they made their
escape into the thicket killed several OF
the attacking party. When they got
away from the scene of the massacre
they made their way towards the river,
subsisting as best they could on cas-
sava The only means they had OF
quenching their thirst was to suck the
dew off plants at night. They finally
reached the river and procured canoe
from some friendly natives, and made
their way down to New Benin, where
they met a British launch. Had they not
procured the canoe it is doubtful II they
would ever have reached the coast
The King has sent to the British the
rings that We're worn by Mr.. Phillips.
This is regarded as an act OF dehance
which the King will have cause to re-
gret.
Mr.. Powis was the agent of Millar
Bros. of Glasgow. and Mr.. Gordon rep
resented the African Association OF
Liverpool. Both men have been on the
coast as traders for several years
1t was announced some time ago that
an expedition was to leave Bonny from
Benin City, and it was said then as the
King of Benin was a "Ju-Ju'' man, and
as his colony was full of remains of hu-
man sacrifices, it was not expected
that he would agree to the request of
the prQtctorate officials for better trade
facilities. In the event of his refusal
il was intended to get the sanction OF
the British Foreign Office for an armed
expedition to proceed against the King,
who had threatened to kill the next
white man who attempted to visit him.
In view of this threat. it is difficult to
understand why an unarmed expedition
should have sought to enter the coun-
try.
As soon as the news of the massacre
reached England orders were given for
| the British officers stationed on the
coast who were home on furloughs to
return to their posts and instructions
were given for the formation of an eX-
pedition to punish the King of Benin
| This punitive expedition will consist of
forces of the Niger Coast protectoTate
| and contingents of sailors from the yes
sells of the West Africa squadron 1t
! has been stated that such an expedition
| would have to proceed to Benin City
| in a Short time, even had the massacre
| not occurred as the whole Of the Niger
Coast protectorate was suffering from
| the cruelties and exactions of the King
of Benin Slavery is rampant in that
| country and human sacrifices and can
nibalistic heather rites are matters of
daily occurrence. Therefore, If the
| country is to be made of any value
| whatever. il will be necessary to sup
press the King with a strong hand. The
country is said to be very rich. and it
would not be surprising to find that one
result of punitive expedition would be
| the annexation of the whole territory
TO the British possessions in West At
| rica.