The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-11-27
JOHN VERSUS JEAN
RUM0RS OF A WAsH-AT.ARMS IN
WEST AFRICA.

Occurred It IL Against Orders, and
Thinks the Real Trouble Has Been
With Natives History OF the Partition
of Tha. Part of the Dark Contiasnt.
Berlin, Nov. 26.-A dispatch 20 the
Frankfort Zeitung from Rome reports
that a sanguinary conflict has taken
place between the French and the Brit
lsh at Nikki, IN the Lagos Hinterland.
London, Nov ga rumor was receiy-
| ed today at the British colonial Office 10
| the effect that there had been collision
between the British and French forces
| at Nik,li, which is said to have been cap
tured by tae 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
10 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
ish forces in the Hinterland, 1t Is fur
ther stated, are being reinforced consid-
eratiy.
The colonial office late this evening re-
ceived a cable message from Lagos West
Coast OF Africa. stating that rumor Is
current among the natives there of a col
lision between 400 British and French
troops. The report, it is believed. win
prove to be founded upon a conflict be-
tween the French and some natives.
HISTORY OF THE TROUBLE.
Both countries have been hurrying
troops into the disputed territory. The
trouble is OF about thirty years standing.
In 1870 Francs and Great Britain opened
negotiations for the settlement of their
respective frontiers in West Africa, and
it was decided in substance that French
influence and authority should be con-
fined to the north of a certain line and
that Great Britain should have a flee
hand south Of this line. The outbreak 81
the Franco-Prussian war interrupted the
negotiations There was considerable op-.
position in both countries to the cession
Of any territory and during the next
five years difficulties frequently occurred
Finally /. was resolved TO appoint com
mSsioners to reconsider the whole mat
ter. and as result, in the course of the
next ten years, four separate agreements
were concluded.
But since these agreements were arriv-
ed at further difficulties have arisen, ow-
ing to the failure Of the boundary com
missioners 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 native chiefs
The French nave been aiming at the es-
tablishment Of great African empire, !
and dispatched expeditions to the Hin
terland Of Lagos and Carnotville 70 es-
tablIsh headquarters.
The British Niger company, however,
getting wind OF the French plans. die
patched Captain Lugard to Nikkl, the
capital OF Pargu, for the purpose of ne
gotiatlng a treaty with the native ruler
and the English off1cer was fortunate
enough to reach there before a French
officer, ComDandant De Coueur who was
bound for the same place and with the
same intention, although the latter had
the start, ana Lugard secured his treaty |
and carried it away three weeks before
De Coueur arrived at Nikki.
The French, however, seem to have
CHOSEN 10 disregard this fact and have
dispatched armed expeditions not only |
to Nikki, but to Broussa, which has ell |
along been acknowledged TO be within |
the sphere Of British influence To set
tie these and other questions in dispute, |
representing Great Brit !
ain and France are now tardily Begin |
ming TO deliberate In Paris.
DISCREDITED IN PARIS.
Paris, Nov. 2S.-M. Lebon. the minister |
,or the colonies. has received no infor- |
nation Of a collision between the British |
and French troops at Nikki, the Niger |
'egion, and d.scredits the report.
BABELS TOWER-FACT OR MYTH