BLUNDERING OFFICERS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2605, 9 January 1894, Page 4

BLUNDERING OFFICERS.

ATTACK ON AN ENGLISH CAMP BY FRENCH TROOPS.

London, Jan. 6

Telegrams from Sierra Leone, Western Africa published in the London newspapers, state that the French attacked a British camp at Warina before dawn on the 23rd Dec. The British replied to the fire, and the fightiug lasted for some time, but eventually the French withdrew, their commander, Lieut. Moritz, having been wounded. The latter was brought into camp, where he died. Before his death he explained that he thought the British were a body of Sofas (against whom the French are operating), officered by Arab leaders. In the fight ten on the French side were killed. The West India Regiment (British) had Lieutenants Liston and Br ought ori, a sergeant and four privates killed, and 15 seriously wounded. The Frontier Police had Captain Lendy and two men killed and three men seriously wounded. The British troops remain at Warina, which is within the British sphere. There were troops on both Bides as well as natives. A later telegram states that the British expedition of 600 of the Ist West India Regiment and Frontier Police were despatched from Sierra Leone under Colonel Ellis to relieve Captain Lendy who was encircled by Sofas at Korauko. Twelve hundred French native troops with Cingalese sharpshooters were operating against the Sofas. The French Government were warned of the despatch of the British expedition, but it was not expected that the French expedition would be so far as to come into contact with the British. It is thought that the French operations drove the Sofas into the British sphere. The British and French spheres of influence had previosly been defined. The English press is awaiting further explanations; meanwhile comments are of a temperate character.

Jan. 7

The attack by the French on the British camp at Warina was made by bright moonlight, and the French mistook the white suits of the British for the robes of the Arab chiefs. The British expedition was surprised, but doggedly held their ground regardless of the death of their leaders. Official messages received from Sierra Leone state that in the confusion of the onslaught Captain Lendy, of the Frontier Police, was shot by his own men.