The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-11-27

Frankfort zeltung from Rome reports
that a sangulnary conflict has taken
place between the French and British
at Nikki, in the Lagos Hinterland,
LONDON, Nov, 2G,--Whlle the accu-
racy of the statement contained In the
Rome dispatch to the Frankfort Zeltung
announcing that a conflict has taken
place between the French and British
troops In the Lagos Hlnterland, is
doubted. the London morning papers
to-day pointed out the imminent danger
resulting from the proximity OF the two
forces in the contested territory,
Later In the day rumor was received
at the British colonial office TO the eff
feet that there had been O collision be-
tween the British and French forces at
Nikki, whlchi is said to have been cap
tured by the French troops.
The officials Of the colonial Office, how
ever regard this report as highly i'm
probable, as, they explain, the British
police In the Hinterland, who are in
very limited numbers, had strict orders
to avoid any collision with the French.
II Is also understood that the French
forces had been instructed not to come
into conflict with the British. The Brit
lsh forces In the Hinterland, II Is fur
ther stated, are being reinforced con-
siderably.
A conflict between the French and
British forces In the Lagos Hinterland
has been anticipated for some time past
Both countries have been hurrylng
troops into the disputed territory. The
trouble Is OF about thirty years stand
Ing. In 1870 France and Great Britain
opened negotiations for the settlement
Of their respective frontiers In West Az
rlca, and IL was decided In substance
that French influence and authority
should be confined to the north of a GER
tain line, and that Great Britain should
have 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 ccssion OF any territory, and
during the next five years dittlculties
frequently occurred. Finally It's was re-
solved to appoint commissioners to re-
consider the whole matter and as re-
suit in the course of the next ten years
four separate agreements were con-
cluded.
But since these agreements were ar
rived at further difficulties have arisen.
owing 10 tho failure of the boundary
commissioners of Great Britain ana
France TO agree among themselves as
10 The frontier lines. Since then both
parties have turned their attention 10
,nnrnouinnp from the
tive chiefs. The French have been aim
Inn nj tho establishment of great Af-
rican empIre, and dispatched eXpedi-
iIong 10 the Hinterland OF DAgos and
CRrnotyille to establish headquarters.
Tho British Niger company, however,
getting wind OF the French plans, dis
natched Captain (now major) Lugard
Ia Nikll. the capital OF Burgu, for the
nurrose of negotiating treaty with the
native ruler, and the English officer
was fortunate enough to reach theco be-
fore n French officer, Commandment De-
occur. who was bound for Hfe same
Mace. and with the same Intention. Al
though the latter had the stort, l4u-
gard secured his treaty and carried 1t
away three weeks before Decoeur ar
rived at NikSi. The French however.
seemed TO have chosen to disregard this
fnct and have dispatched armed eXpedi-
tIons not only to Nlkki, but to Broussa,
which has all along been acknowledged
10 be In the sphere Of British influence.
To settle these and other questions In
disn,ite commissioners representing
Greot Britnin and France are now tard-
ily beginning to deliberate In Paris.
PARIS. Nov. 2G.--M Lebon. the min
ls,or Of the colonies, has received no
information OF n collision between the
british and French troops at Nlkki, In
The Niger region, and discredlts the re-
ports.