Evening journal., 1897-01-22

WiiN-liuAlIE lilt lhtb ildl lt lltltl tnlcitu
into treaty obligations with them IL was
set forth as an explanation of this action
that the expedition did not desire to make
any show Of force against the king it be-
ing thought that its objects would be more
readily attained We're no firearms carried.
This was a fatal mistake.
The expedition left BOnny about Jan. J.,
and about two weeks later the yacht Ivy,
belonging TO the consul general, returned
20 Bonny from Snpele, where the expedi-
ton had left preparatory 10 making the
land journey to Benin, with the news OF
the massacre of the entire expedition.
Later it was learned that seven of the kru
men escaped, and still later that Captain
Boisragon and Consular Officer Locke had
also escaped
Proceeded without Dimculty.
Now It is learned that after the cxpedi /
tion left Sapele it proceeded without diff /
Guilty, save that experienced from the ma |
ture of the country, to within a few miles /
of Benin City. Some of the Krumen had /
been sent forward to cut a path through
the jungle, and when the rest Of the expe-
ditiOn were almost within sight of the
town they came upon the bodies Of these
pioneers who had been massacrcd.
Before the expedition could retreat the
Benin tribesmen attacked them, and, hav
ing them completely at a disadvantage
the party We're almost completely annihi
lated Captain Boisragun and Consular
Officer Locke were wounded as were also
the seven Krumen who subsequently
reached the coast. They managed howev-
er. TO crawl unobseryed into the almost
impcnetrable Jungle and after days Of
horrible suffering from their wounds and
tv .f fhnfr ft.t1
succeeded in reaching New Benin on the
coast, some 22O miles west Of Bonny.
The expedition was divided into two
sections TO facilitate travelling As they
progressed into the country they were
greeted in "A friendly manner by the resi-
dents of several villages, which led TO the
hope that no opposition would be met any
where along he route.
When the commander Of the expedition
had reached a point 20 miles from the he
min river, couriers from the king arrived
bearing peaceful messages, which added
to the feeling of security which peryaded
the party. Here it was determined to send
% number OF the carriers ahead rs bearers
of presents to the king. They followed the
route laid out by the pioneers and met
with no hostility from any of the natives
who were seen. These carriers We're four
hours ahead of the main body of the expe-
| dition. when, without warning of any
/ kind, they were attacked 10y "A large num-
| ber of warriors. who had already dispatch
ed the pioneer Krmnen. Every one OF the
carriers and those with them were massa-
cred.
The second company, entirely unaware
of the fate of their predecessors, We're
marching along, when suddenly they came
upon the piled up bodies of their lnassa-
! cred companions. There were no signs of
an enemy about, the Benin warriors lav-
ing hidden themselves in the thick Jungle
to await the coming of the second party.
Murderous YoIiey From Ambush.
As the latter were stopped by the sight
Of the bodies and began 10 examine them
a murderous volley was poured into them
by the ambushed natives Acting Consul
General Phillips, DR. Elliott and Mr.. POwis
were instantly killed.
Major COPELAND Crawford was wounded
and died shortly after. The natives again
fred into the party and then fell upon
them and either shot, stabbed or clubbed
them to death.
Mr. Campbell, one OF the consular Off
cials. was captured, and it Is supposed that
he was taken to Benin 60 be executed.
1t has been learned that Captain Bois-
ragon and Mr.. Locke each had a revolver.
and before they made their escape into the
bush shot several of the attacking party.
When they got away from the scene Of
the massacre they made their way toward
the river, subsisting as best they could on
cassava. The only means they had Of
quenching their thirst was to suck the
dew of the plants at night.
They finally reached the river and ulti-
mately procured a canoe from some friend
ly natives and made their way down to
New Benin, where they met q British
launch. Had they not procured the canoe
it is doubtful If they would ever have
reached the coast
The king has sent TO the British the
rings that were worn by Mr. Phillips.
This is regarded as an act of defiance,
which the king will soon have cause to re-
gret.
Mr. Powis was the agent Of Miller Bros
q Co of Glasgow. and Mr. Gordon repre-
sented the African association of Liver
pool Both have been ON the coast as
traders for several years.
As soon as the news of the massacre
reached England orders were given for the
British officers stationed on the coast who
were home on furlough To return To their
posts, and Instructions were given for tho
formation Of an expedition to punish the
king OF Benin. This punitive expedition
will consist of forces of the Niger coast
protectorate and continQ,nts of slilors
from the vessels of the west Africa squat
ron.
"A small ere was discovered I'm thu