MASSACRE OF EUROPEANS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2182, 3 July 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

MASSACRE OF EUROPEANS.

Ai telegram from Aden which was published in the Times of India of April '26, recorded a terrible massacre of Europeans on tho Somali coast of Africa. It appearg that the natives had being for a long time watchinarthe movements of the Europeans with suspicion, owing to the rumoured intention^ of the Italians to occupy Zoula, but which was renounced owing to the declarations of the French Government »f establishing its rights over theß<iy of Adulis, which have exis' tod since the year 1859. Liter advices from the Somali coast stated that the' Emir Abdul Aii had captured the to* n of Gildezza, situated about 30 miles to the ast of Harrar. The Anglo-Egyptian garrison, which numbered 100, were taken prisoners, and the whole of the members of the Italian Commission and Scientific Expedition, which started from' Zeila on March 27. under the command of Count Perro, had been treacherously murdered by the Emir at Harrar. Referring to this and to some later news, the Times of India observes:—'' The massaciv of Europeans at Harrar seems to iivovr in horror as details are forbhcom-' ing. The whole of fche members of the Italian' Commission and Scientific Expedition have been murdered, and we gather from the telegram just received that other Europeans were also murdered. The last time that Somali came prominently before the public was in the tribute jf praise awarded by Sir James Fergnsson, in his speech at Manchester, to the conduct of Major Hunter in withdrawing the garrison of Harrar, amidst many difficulties, frdfr\ a hostile couutry',' and with th;e greatest success. Sir James Ferguson, on that occasion, drew a parallel between the slaughter of the garrisons in tlje Soudan a'nd the withdrawal from Harrar,, and called attention to the scant recognition which, the 'achievement had met. That the dangers were zeal has been proved by 1 the present massacre. The occasion for it is given as the belief entertained by the Emir Abdul Ali that the. Italians were "going to 1 i occupy Zeila, tile port from which the expedition started. Between the Italians and the Fjrench there has existed seme rivalry in regard to the country. The French j assert some sort of claims over the Bay of Adulis, but these were supposed to have lapsed or to have been withdrawn, so the Italians imagined "the grouud clear for their aggression. But the French changed their minds again, and would 'not permit the Italians to encroach on their preserves. And finally the inhabitants themselves have spoken a decisive word, and haye killed the offending Italians." .