The silver lance., 1897-12-03
CONFLICT IN AFRICA.

RanoFs Of . Fight Between the Frenen
and Eag1lsh-
Berlin, Nov. IA dispatch to the
Frankfort Zeitung from Rome reports
that a sanguinary conflict has taken
place between the French and British
at Nikki, in the Lagos Hinterland-
London, Nov. 27.-While the accu-
racy of the statement contained In the
Rome dispatch to the Frankfort Zeit-
ung announcing that conflict mas
taken place between the French ana
British troops in the Lagos Hinteriand
is doubted, the London morning pa
pers to-day pointed out the imminent
danger resulting from the proximity
Of the two forces in the contested ter
rit0ry.
Later In the day rumor was re-
ceived at the British colonial Office to
the effect that there had been a col
lisiOn between the British and French
forces at Nikki, which is said to have
been captured by French troops.
The officials of the colonial office,
however, regard this report as highly
improbable, as, they explain, the Brit
ish police in the Hinterland, who are
In very limited numbers, had strict
orders to avoid any collision with the
French. 1t is also understood that the
French forces had been instructed
not to come into conflict with the Brit
ish. The British forces in the Hinter-
land, 1t is further stated, are being re-
inf0rced considerably.
The colonial Office late this evening
received a cable message from Lagos,
west coast Of Africa, stating that a
rumor is current among the natives
there of collision between 400 British
rs
believed, will prove to be founded on
a conflict between the French and
some natives.
Both countries have been hurrying
troops into the disputed territory. The
trouble is Of about thirty years stand
Ing. In 1870 France and Great Brit
ain opened negotiations for the settle
ment Of their respective frontiers in
West Africa, and it was decided, in
substance, that French influence 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
Franc0-Prussian war interrupted these
negotiations. There was considerable
opposition in both countries to the ces-
sion Of any territory, and during the
next five years difficulties frequently
occurred. Finally, it was resolved to
appoint commissioners to reconsider
the whole matter, and, as result, in
the course Of the next ten years four
separate agreements were concluded.
But since these agreements were ar
rived at further difficulties have arisen,
owing to the failure Of the boundary
commissioners Of Great Britain 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 na-
tive chiefs. The French have been
aiming at the establishment Of a great
African empire, and dispatched expe-
ditions to the Hinterland of Lagos and
CarnOtville to establish Headquarters.
The British Niger Company, how
ever. getting wind of the French plans.
dispatched Captain Lugard to Nikki.
the capital Of Pargua, for the purpose
OF negotiating treaty with the native
ruler, and the English ruler was for
tunate enough to reach there before a
French officer. Commandant de Cou-
eur, who was bound for the same
place, and with the same intention, al
though the latter had the start and
Lugard secured his treaty and carried
1t away three weeks before De Coueur
arrived at Nikki
The French, however, seemed to
have chosen to disregard this fact and
have dispatched armed expeditions not
only to Nikki. but to Broussa, which
has all along been accredited to be
within the sphere of British influence.
To settle these and other questions in
dispute, commissioners representing
Great Britain and France are now
tardily beginning to deliberate in
Paris.