WAR ON THE WEST COAST OF AFRICA.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3777, 4 February 1881, Page 2

WAR ON THE WEST COAST OF AFRICA.

Prom a Home paper;/we learn'that a serious war has broken out between King Amachree and Will Braid, the two great rival chiefs in New- Calabar. Will Braid is the descendant of the former King of New Calabar, and his-futile attempts to. gain the throne led him to form a strong faction against Amaehree, and he, has established himself at Awaffa, an, impor-_ tant position commanding a creels !yrhich- "7 communicates with the interior,'^arid^lrywax. of which all oil *is brought llowu to New Calabar. Eor some time previous.- -to - the outbreak he intercepted all- produce on it» way down the river,., and at length the matter became so serious that Amachree decided to proceed to Awaffa and try and dislodge him from his position. Will ■ Braid. r however' was joined by the Krickamen, " and it was found, on the arrival pT the New Calabar force, that he had dug riflepits round the town, protecting alf;the. approaches to it. Amachree'a men, therefore; could not operate effectually, and they at once constructed similar entrencements, close to the line of, the enemy's pits. At the latest accounts there was a sanguinary duel going on between the* two sides, . and large numbers of r natives hare been killed, ; without any apparent advantage - having been gained by either side. Trade at New Calabar was quite stopped, the only thing obtainable being gunpowder, cartridges, and rice. Sing Amachree had sent a present to Ja Ja, , King of Opobo, in order to induce him ! .not to side with Will Braid, but it-was not known what action he would take. The new Calabar natives, who are very well off, are understood.to have determined to spend any amount of money, and sacrifice any number of lives, in the attempt to subdue Will Braid.