The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-27
The English Said to Have Been
Driven From the Town.
LonE-Standing Quarrel Over the
Lagos Hinterland Culminates in
Open Rupture-Niger Company
Checkmates France and Blocks
the Way to the Establishment Of
an African Empire-Treaty With
Troops Are Sent to Boussa-Each
In Trim for Active Hostilities.

LONDON, Nov. "a dispatch from
Rome reports that a sanguinary conflict
has taken place between the French and
British at Nikki IN the Lagos Hinterland.
While the accuracy of the dispatch is
doubted. the morning papers today point
out the imminent danger resulting from
the proximity OF the two forces In the
the French and British forces has been
anticipated for some time past.
Later in the day rumors were received
at the British colonial office to the effect
that there had been a conflict between
the French and British forces at Nikki,
which is said to have been captured by
the French troops. The officials of the
colonial office. however. regard this report
as highly improbable, as the British po-
lice In the Hinterland who are very lin
tied in numbers, have strict orders 20
avoid collision with the French. 1t is
understood that the French forces have
been instructed not to come into conflict
with the British.
Both countries have been hurryiny
troops into the disputed territory The
trouble is Of about thirty years standing
In is7o France and Great Britain opened
negotiations for the settlement of their re-
spective frontiers in West Africa, and it
was decided in substance that French In
fiuence and authority should be confined TO
the north OF a certain line. and that Great
Britain should have a free hand south OF
this line.
The outbreak of the Franco Prussian
war interrupted the negotiations. There
was considerable opposition In both coun-
tries to the eession of any territory. and
during the next five years difficulties fire.
quently occurred. Finally II was resolved
TO appoint commissioners to reconsider the
whole matter. and as a result In the course
OF ten years four separate agreements
were concluded. But since these agree
ments were arrived at further difficulties
have arisen. owing to the failure of the
boundary line commissioners of Great Brit
ain and France to agree among themselves
as to the frontier lines.
Since then both parties have turned their
attention TO getting treaty concessions
from the native chiefs. The French have
been aiming at the stablishment Of
great African empire. and have dispatched
expeditions TO the HiHterland of Lagos and
Carnotsville to establish headquarters.
The British Niger Company. however.
getting wind of the French plans, dis
patched Capt. Lugard 10 Nikki, the capital
of Pargua. for the purpose of negotiating
a treaty with the native ruler. The En-
giish officer was fortunate enough to reach
there before French officer Commandant
DeCour. who was bound for the same place
and with the same intention, although the
latter had the start. Lugard secured his
treaty and carried it away three weeks be-
fore DeCour arrived at Nikki.
The French, however. seemed 10 nave
chosen TO disregard this fac, and have dis
patched armed expeditions not only 10
Nikki, hut 10 Boussa, which mas all along
heen credited to be within the sphere of
British influence.
To settle these and other questions In
dispute. commissioners representing Great
Britain and France are now tardiiy begin
ming TO deliberate in Paris.