Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-03-25
ENGLAND OCCUPIES KANO.
One OF the Largest Cities In the
Soudan Succumbs to Modern Guns.

force, marched early last month
through the kingdom of Kano, to the
west of Lake Tchad, in one Of the rich
est parts of the Soudan, and occupied
! its capital Of the same name. The
news that the British have occupied
Kano and the country tributary to 1t is
especially interesting because the city
occupies a unique position as popu-
lous, Industrious and thriving African
metropolis. There are larger towns IN
the Central Soudan, but none that is SC
famous as Kano.
The German explorer Barth over hall
century ago brought to us our first
trustworthy news Of Kano. The world
was astonished when he told Of city
he had found inclosed by walls fifteen
miles in circumference; Of the ten
square miles within the walls that were
peopled by nearly all the races OF the
Sahara and the Soudan, each inhabit-
ing its own quarter Of the town; OF the
cotton fabrics woven by the people
themselves, and dyed with indigo that
grew on the surrounding plain, and OF
many household industries producing
great quantities Of shoes, sandals,
leather pouches and other leather
goods that were exported far and wide.
Later explorers have confirmed the
information that Barth brought home
Kano Is the largest industrial centre OF
the Soudan and it reached its import
ant development without the assistance
of the outside world.
It's cotton fabrics are still far better
known throughout the western Soudan
than European textiles. Its merchants
send all varieties Of it's manufactures
to markets hundreds Of miles away and
large quantities Of cereals raised IN
the kingdom, even after the local
wants are supplied, are also available
for the foreign markets.
The great blot upon Kano is that II
is one Of the largest centres Of slave
raiding in Africa, the neighboring sui
tanate of Sokoto on the west being an
other. The slave market in Kano has
always done thriving business. The
king has sent raiders far and wide
every year to capture natives and thus
replenish the market.
1t is, of course, a very profitable
business, but now it must cease. The
British have said, for two or three
years past, that though they desired to
govern both Kano and Sokoto through
their own rulers, it was probable that,
sooner or later, the pressure which
must be brought to bear to enforce the
dictum Of the Brussels congress that
slave raiding in Africa must cease
would result in open hostilities.
The recent trouble with Kano, how
ever, did not grow out Of the slave
trade. Awhile ago the French settled
in a district Of the Soudan which, the
British asserted, was in their territory.
There was no way to settle this dis
pute except scientifically to delimit the
boundary between the respective
spheres Of the two powers. A joint
commission was appointed and all
preparations were made to begin the
survey.
The king Of Kano did not understand
the necessity for these mysterious pro-
ceedings on the border Of his territory,
which Is in the protectorate Of British
Northern Nigeria. He suddenly assum-
ed hostile attitude toward the whites.
The British patrols came in collision
more than once with the gunner Of
the king.
All reports agreed that he was deter
mined to fight. The British, therefore,
thought 1t necessary to reinforce their
garrison at Zaria, not far from Kano,
and this was construed by the king as
a preparation for war. There was
much evidence that the king was very
unpopular with his own people, for he
had taxed them nearly to death and
oppressed them in many other ways.
The report Of his unpopularity has
very likely proved to be true, for 1t Is
known that the force which invaded
Kano was not much over 1000 strong,
and the people could not have offered
q very stubborn resistance. The de-
tails however have not yet been re-
ceived, and little more Is known than
that the capital has been occupied by
a British force.
That part Of the Soudan as far west
&C &c.
protectorate. It includes within its
borders the two native states Of Sokoto
and Kano, the latter being to some ex-
tent politically dependent upon the
former. The policy Of the British gov
ernment has been to cultivate friendly
relations with these native powers In
the hope that its influence might grad
ually and peacefully be extended over
them without acts of hostility.
It now remains to be seen whether
the British will soon be compelled to
make war on Sokoto. In 1900, when
the British sent copy Of the procla-
nation announcing the transfer OF the
Royal Niger company's territorial
rights to the crown, their messenger
was treated with indignity and the sui
tan sent word that the only relations
which could exist between himself and
the British government were those Of
war.
This sultan died last year, and the
attitude Of his successor is not yet
known; but the British have thought
it wise to begin their work Of develop
ment in the eastern part Of their do
main and to give the sultan Of Sokoto
wide berth for awhile. They are
looking forward, however, to future
trouble with this potentate. In letter
dated January 2S last, written to Sir F.
Lugard, high commissioner Of North