THE REASON FOE THE EXPEDITION.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11483, 16 January 1903, Page 5

THE REASON FOE THE EXPEDITION.

UNFRIENDLY RULERS.

Reuters agency understands the operation,, against the Mohammedan centre of Kano have been decided upon and will commence shortly. It is not certain whether General Bir Frederick Lugard will personally accompany the expedition. The ba-st' of operations will be at Zajia, sou.awes. of Kano, where there is a strong garrison. It is estimated that between lour hundred and six hundred troops of the West African Frontier Force will be employed. Theivmir of Kamo has large forces of horsemen at his command, and severe lighting is possible. Whether the move to Kano will also necessitate the despatch of a force to Sokoto, some two hundred miles to the north-west, is not stated, but it is at least possible that advantage will be taken of the presence of this force in the vicinity to deal with this great religious centre. The operations are expected to extend over several weeks.

Intelligence received by Reuters Agency, early in October, showed that the Emir of Kano had been making extensive preparations for hostilities against the British. Since the occupation of the town of Zaria, which ia more or less under the influence of Kano, and is only sixty miles distant, the Emir had been endeavouring to make the Chief of Zaria unfriendly. He had also rebuilt all his defences, and made general preparations for fighting. As a measure of precaution, two companies of the West African Frontier force had been despatched to Zaria to strengthen the garrison already there. The Emir of Kano, like the Emir of Sokoto, had refused to enter into relations with the British. It has always been foreseen that, as the British effective occupation of the country advanced northward to the Angio-Frenoh boundary, the powerful Emirs of Sokoto, Kano, and Gando, would have to be dealt with, but it was hoped that they would quietly acquiesce in the new order of things. In ~he oase of Sokoto and Kano, there has 'been no evidence of friendliness, and hitherto the Bmir of Gando, whose town is but two days' journey from Sokoto, has also held himse.f aloof from the British. As a result of letters sent by Sir Frederick Lugard, this Emir had, however, openly professed his friendship, and had written to the British Commissioner formally promising that his country should be kept open freely to all. The Emir of Gando is the second most important Mohammedan Ruler in Northern Nigeria, and rules over prac-ically one-third of the Hausa otates. As he is under the influence of Sokoto, his profession of friendship is particularly gratifying, and may lead to the Emir of "bokoto assuming p. friendly attitude. [News ha* since been received of the death of the Emir of Sokoto.]