The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-31
Dispute between Two Notorious Land
Grabbers That May Lead to "a Col
Iision ON African Soil
INDIAN REBELS OUTWITTED
HOW THE BRITISH TROOPS CAP
TURED SEMPAGHA PASS
LOckhart's Further Advance Delayed
Efforts to Secure the Release
of Captain Dreyfus.
lcoprright, 1sq7. by the Assoclated press.l

Copyright 1897 by the Associated Press)
LONDON Oct. 3e-The African situation
has been aggravated by the French semi
official note, made public on Tuesday last
and reading: THE news from West Africa
foreshadows great difficulties at Nikki and
in Borgu. The Niger Company (British) is
sending officers there to incite rebellion
and distribute arms to the natives. In view
of this situation French troops have been
dispatched to that district from Senegal
as a preventive measure. Moreover, the
British negotiators for settlement of the
Niger question have been in Paris for over
a week and everything points to Great
Britain seeking to let matters drag. Seem
ingly, she does not intend to discuss the
question, but means will undoubtedly be
found 20 foil these tactics.' Then the situa-
ton was further aggravated by the reply
of the British Colonial Office, issued the
same day, declaring that there did not seem
to be any reasonable fear of complications
at Nikki, capital of the Borgu territory,
provided the French government behaves
reasonably" 1t was added, however, at the
Colonial Office that Great Britain has TAX
en- the determination to more effectually po-
lice her territories, and that if the French
persist in trespassing complications will
naturally arise"
The wording of these statements, it is
pointed out, shows that both sides are in
cllned to lose their tempers Even the unex-
citable Times says: IF the French are I'M
wise enough to persist in carrying out the
theory of effective possession constituting
title they will find that we shall be re-
luctantly obliged to apply it too.
IL is one Of the rare occasions upon which
the press is unanimous, papers of all shades
OF opinion promising the Marquis of Sails
bury the nations support in bringing the
French to their senses" 1t is amusing to
bers condemning France for following
Similar policy. France, however, seems
equally determined not to recede. In fact
the st. Louis speech of the French colonial
minister, M. Lebon seems to show that the
cardinal feature of the French policy in
Africa Is the extension of French influence
from the west coast to the Nile valley and
thence to Ethiopia, which means an unn-
terrupted series of posts and protectorates.
In short with excitement rampant at home,
there is imminent danger of the rowing
situation is brimful of dangers and it looks
as If conflict can on@y be aVerted by
humiiiating surrender of the aSpira tionS of
one of the would-be grabbers of Central
Africa and the Upper Nile valley. Great
Britain has always claimed the right of SUI
premacy in the Nile valley. Sir Edward
Grey in 1895 informed France that any in
vasion of that territory would be regarded
as an unfriendiy act, and the present secre-
Chamberlain, has since Endorsed his words
94et- two French expeditions are now there,
and Great Brftain's position in upper Egypt
is thereby dangerously imperiled.