The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-12-02
The NEWS IN LONDON.
Conflict Has Been Expected-The
Origin of the Dispute,

- Conflict Has Been Expected-Tbs
Origin of the Dispute.
London, Nov. 26.-While the accuracy
Of the statement contained in the Rome
dispatch to the Frankfort Zeitung an
nouncing that conflict has taken place
between the French and British troops
in the Lagos hinterland is doubted, the
London morning papers pointed out the
imminent danger resulting from the prox-
unity of the two forces in the contested
territory.
A conflict between the French and
British forces in the Lagos hinterland' has
been anticipated for some time past. Both
the disputed territory. The trouble is of
about thirty years standing. In 1870
France and Great Britain opened negotia-
tons for settlement of their respective
frontiers in west Africa, and it was de-
ciGrd in substance that French infu-
ence and authority should be confined to
the north of certain line, and that
Great Britain should have a free hand
south of this line. The outbreak of
the Franco-Prussian war interrupted the
negotiations. Where was considerable
opposition in both countries to the ces-
!. sion of any territory, and during the next
WEun frapnapflr nonurrod
Finally it was resolved to appoint COM
missiOners to reconsider the whole mat
ter, and as q result in the course of 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 get
ting treaty concessions from the native
chiefs. The French have been aiming
at the establishment of a great African
empire and dispatched expeditions to
the hinterand of Lagos and Carotville TO
establish headquarters.
The British Niger company, however,
getting wind of the French plans, dis
matched Mai. Lugard to Nikki, the capt.
tol of Burgu, for the purpose OF negou-
ating a treaty with the native ruler ana
the English officer was fortunate enough
to reach there before French octher,
Commandant De Couer, who was bound
for the same place and with the same IN
tentions. and Lugards secured his treaty
and carried it away three weeks Deiore
De Couer arrived at Nikki. The FRENCH
however, seem to have chosen 10 uisre-
gard this fact, and have dispatched arm
ed expeditions, not only to Nikkl put 10
Rroussa. which has all along been claim
ed to be within the sphere OF british III
euence. To settle this and other ques-
tons in dispute commissioners represent
ing Great Britain and France are no"
tardily beginning to deliberate in faris'
Later in the day rumor was receiver
at the British colonial offices to tine el'
feet that there had been COLLISION Dc
tween the British and French forces ~
Nikka, which is said to- have oeeh cap'u'
ed by the French troops how
The officials of the colonial ofhce, now
ever. regard this as highly impossioie' 40
tbev explain the British police in the
hinterland, who are in very Limited nun
bers, had strict orders to avoid any y, t tn.
lision with the French. 1t is also claim
ed that the French forces had been ; IN,
structod not to come into conflict WIN
the british. The British forces IN ,he
hinterland, it is further stated "fe "
inc reinforced considerably