TRIBAL WAR AVERTED

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 86, 6 January 1930, Page 13

TRIBAL WAR AVERTED

POLICE CONSTABLE'S ACT. What might have resulted in a very serious outbreak of inter-tribal warfare was averted by the timely efforts of a single European police constable, says the Nairobi correspondent of the London “Daily Telegraph." Trouble had been brewing for some time past between the Masai and Lumbiva tribes—two old-time antagonists—over a number of cattle raids in the border areas, with the result that the young Masai warriors got out of hand. The elders of the tribe then gathered a warlike array, preparatory to invading the Lumbwa Reserve.

Hearing of tlie danger, a policeman in an out-station went to the Mitsui Reserve, alone, and met a force of about 200 men. armed with shields and fighting spears. The policeman succeeded in persuading the warriors to return to their homes, ano went back to his lonely station. He was then informed that the Lumbwa war cry had been raised, and lie sot off at once in the opposite direction. He soon met a large bund of armed Lumbwa warriors preparing to receive the Masai invasion. He again advised caution, and. obtaining reinforcements, placed guards at vantage points along the boundary His words had the desired effect, however. and the Lumbwa dispersed. Thus a serious situation was averted by the brave action of n single white man. although at one period the natives were in a state of warlike frenzy.