West Africa.

Manawatu Herald, 24 February 1898, Page 2

West Africa.

» It is reported that the British Government intends to take over the Niger protectorate from the Royal Niger Chartered Company in a few weeks and compensate the company, and to establish an Imperial force of 5000 men. Mr Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies, informed the House of Commons that a Haussa guard occupied Borea, in the Lagoa hinterland, on 6th February. The same week a French force arrived, and ordered the British flag to be lowered. The Haussas refused to lower it, whereupon the. French withdrew and encamped three miles distant. It was further stated by Mr Chamberlain that the French had established posts at Was and Nassa, in the Gold Coast hinterland, where Colonel Northcott's expedition had previously established posts. Colonel Northcott protested, and the ' French withdrew after protesting. . Le Temps s referring to Mr Cbauabc*. lain's stattment in the House of Common? regarding the French attempts to establish posts in West Africa previously occupied by the British, says that the incidents are not alarming. Both sides are wait* ing the result of West African Delimitation Commission. The Times states (hit the people of Britain are unanimously of opinion that the limit of British concessions of West African territory has been reached. - The gravity of the situation on the Niger has caused a fall in all d© partments of the London Stock Exchange. Consols fell £ per cent. The provisional Exchanges are also depressed. The British forces in the Lagos and the Gold Coast hinterlands number 6000. The principal French newspaper, in their comments on the position in West Africa minimise the seriousness of the recent friction between British and French troops.