The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-11-28

Copyrighted. 1887. by the Associated Press.
LONDON. Nov. 27.-The rumor OF
conflict between French and British forces
near Nikki. West Africa, is authorfta-
lively denied. but the general credence
that was given 10 the rumor shows how
grave is the situation.
Since the initiation Of the wild policy of
sending armed bands from Dahomey and
Lagos led by hot-headed officers. to assert
the authority OF their respective nations
and grab anything In sight which still
might be unoccupied, 1t has been be-
Heved that a collision was bound to occur
sooner or later. Both governments have
been repeatedly warned to recall these
rowing expeditions and await the settle
ment OF the delimitation commission. sit
ting in Paris
1t is difficult to apportion the blame for
this state OF affairs. That the French ini-
tiated the system of raiding the contested
territory in West Africa is indIsputable;
but the Colonial Columbus" as Sir Will
lam Vernon Harcourt, the Liberal leader.
has nicknamed Joseph Chamberlain. Sec
retary of state for the colonies. has made
a serious false step In following suit. II
a diplomatic protest on the subject had
been promptly lodged in Paris, and vigor-
ously pushed, the whole question would
probably have been amicably settled by
this timee. But instead of this, the
French have been permitted to boldly in
ba ad~ cd I{-nf+ ~ ri ftSS
territory, fight the natives and occupy
towns so that they might more easily reach
and occupy the -Boussa- Nikki triangle,
which Is the subject of dispute.
So far as known, the Marquis OF Sails
bury has not asked for reparation. or even
for explanations and the whole story ap-
pears TO be incredible. II Lord Salisbury
and Mr.. Chamberlain have settled pol
ley regarding West Africa, they have
failed to make it known, and all they seem
TO be doing at present Is to impress the
French with the fact OF Great Britain's
unlimited squeeze ability"
The present situation Is fraught with
perilous humiliation and the loss of the
little seIf-respect the Tory minister has
left For this the country and press. even
ing reprisals by the re-seizure, for in
stance of the town of Boussa, lately
seized by the French. though believed 10
be Enthusiastically within the British sphere,
and by the breaking off of the negotia-
tions In Paris until the acts of the pa-
honey officials are formally disavowed.
In the meanwhile another batch OF eight
British officers and non commissioned Of
ficers sails from Liverpool today for La
gos accompanied by a battery of six
-pounder Maxim Nordenfeldt how
itzers, specially supplied by the colonial
Office without consultation with the war
Office IT is computed that when the forces
In process of being dispatched are joined
TO the troops already there, Great Britain
will have $50 officers and non-commssion-
ed officers and 1000 troops in West Africa.
Commenting on this fact. the semi-offcial
Temps, OF Paris, says:
'"The Rritish troops will be received by
our troops who are already de facto in
possession. and who propose 10 remain So
until the pending negotiations are settled
by equitable compensation. iegitimatcly
shared by France and England. Until then
we shall not swerve.
II This means anything. 1t means that
France intends to extract further grace