The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-01-17
SEN. WOLCOTT IN LONDON
GETS A BIG DINNER But LITTLE
OTHER ENCOURAGEMENT.
DISTINGUISHED Britishers Say That he
fad Better AXE rsis Monetary
. Plans 10 the Continent.

london, Jan. 16.-The mission of SEN
ator Edward Q. Wolcott Of Colorado to
Europe is of absorbing interest to all in
terestea in financial matters. Thus far,
the Senator has been content to sound
English feeling rather than expound his
views and the dinner which MIR. Henry
White. formerly secretary of the United
States legation here, gave on January
IL to a number of distinguished people
in order to enable them to meet Senator
Wolcott. was an excellent opportunity
for him to do So as among those present
were Mr. A. j. Balfour, First Lord OF
the Treasury and Government leader IN
the House of Commons: the Marquis OF
Landsdowne, Secretary of State for war;
Mr.. William Court Gully, speaker of the
House of Commons: Lord De Rothschlld
and Mr.. Henry Asquith, formerly the
Secretary of State for home affairs. The
dinner was also striking example of Mr..
Whites position in England as there are
few men who are able to collect such
gathering at short notice.
A representative of the Associated
Press had brief talk with Mr.. Balfour
who, at first was reluctant to say any
thing on the subject for publication, on
account OF his official position. But he
remarked:
You can be sure that this is from no
lack of interest in the cause. However
you may say this much. / have had great
pleasure in meeting Senator Woleott and
heartily concur in his ideas so far as |
have heard them. | am certain his mis-
sion will be productive of good results
TO the cause of bimetallism in both coun-
tries"
Lord Rothschild was of the opinion that
whatever benefit bimetalhsm would de-
rive from the Senator's mission would be
on the continent rather than in England,
adding: 1T depends on whatever action
the powers that be in France and Ger
many will take. Senator Wolcott viii
undoubtedly confer with Emperor Will
liam and NJ. Melline. 1.-THE French pre-
mier.')
The British government has not lost
any time in making arrangements to
avenge Consul Phillips and his party,
massacred by the inhabitants of Benin
City, west coast of Africa. About fifteen
officers and officials sailed from Liverpool
to-day for the Guinea coast and war
stores viii follow next week. The British
war vessels on that station will furnish
a landing party Of 500 blue jackets, who,
with 300 Haussa troops, will form an ex-
peaition which will ascend the river in
launches 10 Sapoli Thence this force
will maTcn about twenty-five miles to
Benin City, whose most formidable de-
fense is rampant of malarial swamps
The expedition is provided with machine
guns end war rockets which are intended
TO wipe out the King Of Benin. Tt is
expected that the operations will be
FINISHED by the end OF February before
the rainy season commences. The march
from Sapoli is expected to be a ticklish
piece of work. There is merely jungle
path opened and ambuscades may be ex-
pected. During the expedition of 1894,
against Chief Mana, path had 10 be
cut through the underground with the
natives lurking there trying to surprise
the soldiers. 1t was impossible, in some
cases, to see ten yards ahead. A Maxim
IRE gun had to be fired every few yards
and the soldiers rushed to the front and
fired yolleys until the Maxim overlook
them. Mr.. Moore, the British Consul at
BoHny, is now in London. After con-
ference with officials of the foreign Office,
ne states that he is confident that the
King of Benin will be Smashed week
after the expedition starts.
Hhe Benin forces are an unknown
quantity, but the escape of Capt. Bois-
ragsa and Consular Officer Locke will
enable the expedition to obtain the latest
iafsrmation on this subject. 1t is ex-
pected that Benin City will be found to
Be partly defended by stockades; but the
civ 10 built in such struggling manner
that it cannot be encircled by defense
Of that description.