The sun., 1898-02-20
WAR CLOUDS IN AFRICA.
TIE DanEsror q CeanIes Bstween RsGlana aud
Erauce On the HiEer.


Spcotai cdbis DsspateA 10 TIE suH.
LONDON. Feb. 1s.-The unusual method adopt
cd ut the close Of late sitting to inform the
House of Commons df yesterdays West African
dispatches shows the Importance attached
thereto, Mr.. Chamberlain and Sir Charles
Dixie having preaI ranged the episode. Tho posi-
tton OF affairs 10 undoubtedly most serious; but
with tho scanty information which even the
best informed command at present. II 10 prema-
ture to Join tho alarmists In declaring that war
between Franc, and England 10 imminent.
The Boundary Commission In Paris, which has
been internationally dragging along for months
and is now imperative. has effected nothing.
Meanwhile, affairs in West Africa have been
moving ra 6idly. Mother France nor England
apparently desires to SEQ tho dispute become
casus befli; yet both, through the agency Of
their officers on the spot. have been acting in o
manner almost amounting to positive aggres-
sion.
At the outset there were two cardinal claims.
Fran % claimed tho right to unite her Sene.
gam bian possessions with the Ivory Coast and
Daftomey. and England claimed tho right 10
CO etrol all the Niger ports accessible from the
sea. Subsequently France demanded an outlet
to tho maritime Niger. and from Cnrnotville
'khe established communications with Boussa
on tho middle Niger. whence sho proposes 70
command the maritime Niger. She also c.
tablished o line northwest TO wagaduga. the
most important town of Mossi, which IN tho
richest portion of the Gold Coast hinterland.
Great Britain claims treaty rights with Mossi.
whilo Boussa, which WAS gasetted IN 1895 a.
definitely subject to Great Britain, was, In 1897,
occupied By q French force. Similar conflicts
have arisen with regard to other places.
France maintains her freedom to establish
! herself wherever there 10 no effective occupa-
tion by military posts. Moreover, she denies
tho validity Of the treaties England made with
native chiefs. Negotiation has effected moth
ing. Tho English attitude 10. apparently. en-
boldening Franco rather than otherwise.
Whereupon Mr.. Chamberlain determined TO
play the French game Of effective occupation.
Troops have been recruited and hurried 10 the
Lagos and Gold Coast hinterlands. and France,
Of country, the British have easily occupied the
Intervening points.
The result 10 that the English and French
posts are dotted about like chessmen, affording
CONSTANT danger of actual hostile contact. which
might well have occurred at Borea on Feb 0.
Bearing In mind Lord Salisbury's words at
the Mayoralty banquet in November, when he
declared that the limits OF concession had been
reached, and Mr.. Ohamberlain's unbending atti-
tude. It seems that unless England climbs down
10 aludicrous extent theFreneh must evacuate
Ropsss n ruptarp a " bp avoided; and q fopa-
promise With regard 10 Mossi would certainly
bo o great French victory.
Hitherto France has point blank refused not
only TO withdraw anywhere but even to discuss
any concession. N. Hanotaux. apparently &C.
customed to discount Lord Salisbury's strong
utteranoes and continually pressed by the colo
NAL enthusiastic. has steadily refused all over
tures convinced that he would gain better
terms BY holding out. As graceful concession
Rrov, oolo ND Ia NJ ha In M In
an awkward position, and Lord Salisbury 10
equally 90 considering that he has absolutely
pledged his word not to give way. especially ON
the lower Niger.
Az the matter now stands the deadlock 10
undoubtedly fraught with the gravest possi-
bilities. Both nations have boon lately materi.
ally strengthening their forces In readiness for
all contingencies. To-day ten British officers
and thirty non-commisSioned officers sailed for
the Niger TO train two regiments now forming.
each containing 1.2o0 men.
The Stock Exchange did not give any signs Of
great perturbation to-day, though consols fell
half Q point, closing slightly better. All the
markets were distinctly fiat.
Sir Charles Dixie, NJ. p, the wel-known
authority on foreign affairs. whose question In
tho House OF Commons last night elected infor-
nation from Colonial Secretary Chamberlain re-
gardinG tho dangerous situation in West Africa.
said In an interview to-day that he thought the
other powers would not interest themselves in
the Anglo-Fronch dispute for the reason that
tho West African question was only Of vital in.
terest to England and France.
The state Of affairs in West Africa, he added,
was what he had always anticipated might be
reached In Newfoundland OF any moment. He
had considered the Newfoundland question tho
only dangerous one between France and Eng.
land because OF the ever present risk OF conflict
on Q spot which would appear to engage ma.
tional honor. Now there WAS imminent risk of
the Same thing all over West Africa.