THE ARABS ON LAKE NYASSA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1722, 10 April 1888, Page 3

THE ARABS ON LAKE NYASSA.

The Manchester Guardian has receded from a Lancaster correspondent at present travelling in East Africa, lome interesting information asto the progress of the. Arab power in the region of the Great Lakeß. The party proceeded from Blantyre up the higher course of the Congo Biyer to ~-■ Livingatonia, the mission station on the promotory at the south end of - Lake Nyassa. This station has been • somewhat unfortunate to Europeans, and has therefore been placed in charge of natives. At Livingstonia serious news was received from Karonga, the African Lakes Com. pany's station at the north-western end of the lake. It was stated that the Arabi had made a wanton attack an the natives, and, after burning several of their villages, had threatened the English station. These outrages were, it seems, quite unprovoked and premeditated. The Arabs in the' vicinity were apparently not numerous, but, owing to the policy of refraining from interference in native quarrels and abandoning. stations when attacked adopted by the English missionaries and trading agents, the Arabs have grown audacious. As a result, the Arab traders 'are seriously threatening European influence in the region. The news received at Livingatonia was to the effect that the English agents there had been compelled to entrench themselves behind a rough stockade, and were awaiting reinforcements. A relief party was immediately organised, including four Europeans and eleven natives, and , proceeded by steamer up the lake to Karonga, which was reached on the k 4th of November. Some alarm was felt on arrival, as, in consequence of the precautions adopted by the little garrison, the usual night signal was not given from the station. The reinforcements were apparently not an hour too soon. The whole; country round about had been desolated by

the Arabs, who had set fire to some "reeds in which many unfortunate natives had taken refuge, and shot the fugitives as they attempted to escape * from the flames. Many are said to have been burned. The Arabs, after finishing off the natives, appear to . have been in doubt as to the strength of the garrison before the arrival of the relief party, and .endeavored to draw it from its intrenehment by shouts and taunts. Its real weakness was becoming known, however, and there waß «very reason to believe that tad the reinforcements been longer " delayed, the station would have been Attacked. A telegram since received . announces the safe return of the relief party to Blantyre.