THE OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11511, 18 February 1903, Page 7

THE OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA.

Reuters Agency stated on January sth that, according to the latest new 3 "from, Northern Nigeria, preparations on a very extensive scale were in progress for the expedition to Kano and the protection ot the Anglo-French Boundary Commission while on its journey towards Sokoto. It was not part of Sir Frederick Lugard's plan to attack Kano, but, in view of the Emir's known attitude, it was regarded as certain that when, some months hence, the Anglo-French Commission should have worked its way round the boundary to the north of Sokoto, and the time should have arrived for keeping up communications with the British officers by a direct route ! from headquarters and sending supplies by that route, the Emir would carry out his threats of opposing the British advance. Every preparation was being made to resist such an attack, but it was not intended to assume the offensive until the recent increasing hostility of the Emir rendered it necessary in the British Commissioner's tpinion "to deal with Kano immediately and not wait until other possible opposition from Sokoto, on the arrival of the boundary commission in its vicinity, engaged the attention of the autliorities. According to the latest intelligence, the force against Kano was to leave headquarters at the beginning of the present month. The British officers of the fron-' tier commission were to leave Lokbja at the end of November, and proceed up the Niger along the boundary in the direction of Sokoto, being preceded by a strong force as protection in the event of opposition, and accompanied by an escort. In the absence of definite news of the commission's having started, it seems probable that it may be delayed until after the Kano operations. Reuters representative lias had an interview with the Rev. A. E. Richardson, of the Church Missionary Society, who was one of the three Englishmen who accompanied Bishop Tugwell to Kano two years ago, when the whole party were expelled and threatened with death if they did not. leave. In reply to questions, Mr Richardson said: —■ "Tlie Emir of Kano is known to be the greatest military chief in Hausaland, and in this respect more influential than the Emiir of Sokoto. At Kano we were told that the Emir could put 10,000 horsemen in the field. This force would include all the leading gentry and nobility and the chief slaves, all of whom would be mounted on good horses. They have a lot of trade guns, but cannot get bullets, and sardine tins, old nails, and the like are in great demand as substitutes. Tlie city of Kano is very strongly fortified. The walls are quite 15 males round, irregular in shape, but of immense strength, the bees portion probably being that on the south side of the city leading to Zaria, the nearest British post. The walls never exceed 40ft' to 50ft in height, but at their base they are quite 100 ft an thickness. Inside the wall a path 2ft wide runs along the top, which has numerous turrets affording protection for riflemen; the whole is surrounded by a moat 15ft deep and 20ft wide. There are 14 or 15 city gates, each being formed by a square tower with double doors. In case of attack both art closed, and. the intervening space filled up with stones, so that it forms part of the solid wall. Tire big gate is that on the Zaria road, and this is reached by a mud bridge thrown across the moat. The wills will be difficult to scale, and still more difficult to breach. On passing the city walls one first sees an immense belt of cultivated land with no habitations. About a mile further on one comes to houses and the city proper. The streets are fairly wide, lined on either side by walls , Bft to 10ft high, each of which surrounds the series of buildings constituting a Hausa 1 home. Apart from the city walk each ol ' these is a fortification in itself, and easilj i defended. The King of Kano, who lives . in barbaric splendour in his, palace at , Fandso, eight miles outside Kano, is un- ' doubtedly the greatest military chief in Hausaland. He is a Fuloni, about 33 yean of age. Kano probably could not stand a prolonged siege, as the people would b< unable to grow sufficient food. The town is some 90 miles from Captain Abadie's garrison at Zaria. This is about fiv« days' march over either of the three mail ■ caravan roads, and one day out of Zaria the force would enter country under tin Emir of Kano. The population of Kant ' may be anything between one and twc millions, and its market places are th« talk of the Hausa world." i Regarding Sokoto, Mr Richardsor. i said: — " It probably has no real hold over Kane to-day. Its religious influence has beer steadily waning, and for some years tlu ' great Hausa Kings have refused to con form to the custom of going to Sokotc to be crowned. I should say that then > is no real cohesion between the two cen , tree. In any case •Sokoto is notjegardec as a formidable fighting centre."