3-085-851 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

French Aggressions in West Africa: types of French and native soldiery engaged in the advance, 1898. 'A French sergeant of Marine Infantry..French expeditions have...been sent to occupy the native towns of Nikki, Boussa on the Niger, Kiama, and Boria, at which last-mentioned place they have now met a party under British command, and have called upon it to haul down the British flag. This disagreeable incident...took place on Feb. 9. There was a guard of Haussa soldiers, with a non-commissioned officer, at Boria, which had been there for three days, with the Bali or native local chief. A French officer with thirty Sengalese native soldiers in the French colonial services then arrived; the removal of the flag was demanded, and was refused. After some parley, the French withdrew to an encampment three miles distant. We are likewise informed, by a telegram from Lieut-Col. H. P. Northcott, British Commissioner for the northern territories of the Gold Coast, that on Feb. 2, at Wae, north of Ashanti and Cape Coast Castle (..very far within the limits of British territorial authority), the French Captain Codrillet, with about sixty native soldiers...insisted upon establishing a post, notwithstanding the formal protest delivered by Captain Fortescue'. From "Illustrated London News", 1898.