Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-02-20
SITUATION IN WEST AFRICA BECOM-
ING INTERESTING.
MAY BE FRENcH-BRITIsH WAR
ARMED BANDS ROWING ABOUT IN
DISPUTED TERRITORY.
Control of the Niger the Chief Thing
Mt Stake-More British Onicers,
With Immense Quantities
of War Munitions,
Sailed Yesterday.

London, Feb. 19.-CCopyrighted. 1925. by
the Associated Press.) The danger of leav-
ing explosives about, in the shape of arm
ed bands roaming in disputed spheres under
youthful officers. has been amply illustrate
ed in West Africa. where the interminglins
of French and British troops has already
caused incidents which threaten the most
grave complications. Happily. the positive
instructions of both governments have thus
far been obeyed. and an actual collision has
been averted. But the fuse is lighted. and
unless France withdraws from her provoc-
alive attitude, or Great Britain costumes
the graceful concession policy she has
hitherto observed towards the French
claims, an explosion is bound to follow.
Some explanation of the attitude Of
France may be found in the desire of its
government to turn French minds from the
inGuisition that lola has provoked, while
1t must not be forgotten that the minister
for foreign affairs, NJ. Hanotaux. bears
upon his shoulders the burden of elections
close at hand, and has to face the threat
enipgs of the colonial party 10 swamp the
government if it shows the faintest sign
of yielding.
Next week the supplementary estimate
of G15O,0O for the West African expenses
will be presented to the house of
and an interesting debate may be expect
ed. Probably the most vital point is not
the possession of the territory, but the
freedom of commerce. Where the French
lave occupied the Hinterland of British
coast colonies. the latter nave been shut
out from interior trade, In the present in
stance, the control of the Niger and the
free navigation Of that great waterway as
an avenue of trade for the world are at
stake.
Another batch of t~hirty-six British Of
ficers and non-commissioned officers sailed
to-day for West Africa, accompanied by
immense quantities of war munitions. This
critical situation, on top of numerous pend
ing serious questions. has re-aroused ap-
prehensions as to whether the Marquis of
Salisbury is inclined unduly to sacrifice the
interests of the empire.
The debate on address in reply to the
speech from the throne has finally been
closed, and when the house meets again
on Monday it will be to learn the provis-
ions of the great measure of the session.
the Irish local government bill. The real
business of the sessions will then begin.
The public Is impatient that something
practical should be accomplished to reform
and strengthen the army. and to provide
additions for the navy. The army estimates
for the current year issued to-day. total
up G20, SIS, $40 Sl04, O94, 0S5). and ought to sat
isfy the demands for increased expendi-
lures.
All the afternoon newspapers to-day COM
ment upon the gravity of the West Afri-
can situation. Business on the Stock ex-
change was flat and consuls were a quarter
of a point lower. .
A striking article in the Westminster
Gazette by William T. Stead says:
THE news from the Niger is only SER
The ret effect of the news from Paris to.
day is that France is once more full of
revolution. The third republic. although
nominally still in stu. no longer exists.
The long expected upset has arrived at
last and has arrived. almost to the very
day. exactly fifty years after the revolu-
ton of 1S4S.
THE coup d'etat of General Boisdeffre
differs from the coup d'etat of Napoleon
Ill. only in the degree of brutality of Its
accessories. When the chief of the French
general staff. the nerve center of the gray
of the brain which directs, controls
and governs the whole armed force of
enters into a court of law to pro-
claim to a jury that unless they return
a verdict to his liking. the chiefs who are
at the head of the army and who organize
the national defense are ready to leave
their task to others there is no longer any
government in France"
Paris. Feb. 19.-Oficial utterances here
on the subject of the West African trou-
bles decry the alarmist view of the situa-
ton taken in Great Britain.