The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1901-12-13
FRENCH REACH NIGER
a CLASH MAY COME WITH BRIT
ISH THERE.
Described by British officer-Thinks
It One Of the Most Unwhole-
some Spots Visited.

Sierra Leone letter: The strained
conditions existing at the present time
between the British and French govern
ments lead to the expectancy of almost
any excuse being selected as a casus
belli by France at this time. An OPP
portnnity now exists for a repetition
OF the Fashoda incident owing to the
rapidity with which both the French
and British are pushing their outposts
in that part of the hinterland which
forms the basin of the River Niger ard
which is virtually a part of the Wes-
terri Soudan.
The recent annexation of Nigeria
by the British government has already
led to the interchange of several notes
on the subject btween the foreign Off
ces of the two countries.
By the Anglo-French agreement of
1890 it was agreed that the French
sphere of influence should extend from
Algiers on the north to a line drawn be-
tween Lake Tschad and the town of
Say on the Niger. This arrangement
was a very indefinite and unsatisfac-
tory one as it does not state whether
or not Say is included in the French
sphere and it is included in the ter
ritory recently annxed by Great Bril-,
tain. A French expedition has now
penetrated as far as the River Niger
and while ostensibly surveying with a
view to accurate delimitation of the
frontier is occupying a situation some
distance to the south of the river in the
territory recently seized by the Bri-
fish. 1t is possible that at any moment
a clash may occur between the French
soldiers engaged in the eXpeditionary
work and a force of the Niger constab-
ulary as feeling run pretty high just
between the troops of the W
countries.
As a matter of fact it would be an eX-
excellent piece of revenge to take upon
the enterprising Gaul if the British
should retire altogether from this re-
giOn and let France waste a few of her
valuable lives on this tropical gehenna.
For generations it has been konwn as
the White mans grave and as such has
proved simply a burying ground for
thousands of young Englishmen. Only
the bulldog p~ertinacity of the race has
kept the British flag flying over what is
known as the West Coast Settlements.
Added to the disadvantages of the
climate must be considered the treacher-
GUS and despicable character of the ma
tiveS. These form a valuable auxiliary
to the climate, taking care to so regu-
late matters that there is little chance
of an increase of the whlLe population
of West Africa.
AS very little is known of this part
of Africa a brief description of a tfiI
made by me as far Akoga, including
a little experience with a primitive
expedition sent to bring an offending
tribe to terms, may prove of genera
interest.
On arriving at Akassa the landing
stage of the Niger company, we rested
for a few days before pushing on up the
river.
We then proceeded up the dirty brown
current Of the Niger, between low
lying banks covered with swamps ant
grass and jungle, the paradise of few
or, loathsome reptiles and huge croc
odiles. The natives who inhabit the Nj
ger Delta we found TO belong to TIN
lowest scale of humanity. The onl!
trait they showed in common will
civilized beings was the ability to ge
drunk, which they succeeded in doinl
easily on a horrible intoXicant mad,
from the fermented Juice of the palm
At Asaba, the seat of the judicia
government, the appearance Of the coun
try, dotted with palm trees taking tn
try improved. The land rises there, an
the vegetation become more luxuriant
an open country, dotted with palm tree
taking the place of jungle swamp. At Id
dab, further up the river, we came upol
a most remarkable and beautiful roc
formation, exactly resembling two gates
between which the steamer passes. Be
yond this villages began to appear o
tho banks and the natives seemed to b
of a slightly higher grade.
Upon reaching Lokoja We found
remarkably fine town located at tn
d, junction of the Niger and Binne. Frol
here the view across to Gando was e2
termelly fine. Gando is the chief trat
ing center and fishing town of the cour
try to the east of two rivers and
situated exactly at the junction.
was said by the natives that a compan
of French soldiers had passed throug