TROUBLE AT DAHOMEY.

Evening Star, Issue 4280, 14 November 1876, Page 1

TROUBLE AT DAHOMEY.

It seems but too probable that EhMand will be forced into another of those TiM© wars out of whioh neither pr. fit nor glory can be gained. Early in July the King. «nE homey, ordered the seizare of all white? men withmhia territory. a rumor excited grave, appipfgenaion, and considerable alarm was felt when the principal agent of a large French firm, who had managed to get away from Whydah just before the. order wae proved,the allegation to betrae.nsThe immediate cause of the King's action teems to hare , been the refutal of Commodore Hewitt tosend a representative to Ahomey «• toWtk their palavers " until after the fme haft* been paid. Finding that the English offibfer wa« in earneat in his resolve, the savage despot despatched a. r ßmiO| army to Kotonu w«ih in* structions to the effect that Vno white man nor any of «*eir should be allowed to leave." Ti&g ' command was obeyed, and it,is stated that the.factories were at oncer surrounded by eoldiekli awl that suppliesoorf r fgjWP have TJeen oat off from the unfortunate priwmenu '.-'■. Theposition in which' tEey ar? placed ig tfiewfore one of extreme danger, since they are. exposed not only'/to the] cruel vehgeanoe of the King/but are in (Janger of dying from starvation.. It has further trauspuea that " a great fetish data .had been swW" to kill livery white man now in 'the hands of v the King, if ,the blockade waa not raised. The otate of affairs is certainly critical, and it will tax the skill and enterprise of Commodore Hewettto extricate tbV wm*> men and th«dr servants;inmujhj .dilemma in whioh they are plaeed; lW King seems to end., andis reported to have o&Mfeat-h* wffl "perish, with his kingdom raeber-than rive in.'; Under the fnrtW fadings will be looked for with deepinteietlfe ' .