ONE THOUSAND SLAVES LIBERATED.

Evening Post, Volume XLI, Issue 103, 2 May 1891, Page 2 (Supplement)

ONE THOUSAND SLAVES LIBERATED.

Two months ago a despatch arrived at Brussels from the Belgian Congo announcing that an encounter had taken place upon the Sankourou between the troops of the Congo Free State and a band of Arab slave traders. On August 11 a band of slave hunters was reported to the chief of the Belgian camp at Lusango camp as coming from the east. The news was brought by women and ohildren fugitives, who reported that the slave hunters were .burning and pillaging and massacring wherever they encountered opposition, reducing to slavery those of the unfortunate blacks they thought fit for the purpose. On August 17 the near approach of the band was reported to the authorities at Lusango. Thereupon Lieutenant Descamps, with 200 native soldiers and five whites, marched out of the camp to meet the Arabs. The lieutenant was met by a number of carriers bearing presents from the Arab chief. He declined to receive the entpress, and sent the carriers back. On the 19th. of August the Belgian troops and the Arabs met. Among the latter were 1000 slaves in a deplorable condition. Lieutenant Descamps sent an ultimatum to the Arab chieftain, ordering him to cease his ravages, to set his captives free, and to accompany him (Descamps) to the camp at Lusango, then to give an account of his actions. The Arab chief had recourse to evasions in order to gain time, and, perceiving his object, Lieutenant Descamps drew np his forces in battle order, and gave the order to attack. After a quarter of an hour's fighting the enemy was completely routed, and were pursued by the conquerors for several miles. They left behind them 30 killed and a great number of wounded ; while the troops under Lieutenant Descamps only lost oue man. The lieutenant took possession of the enemy's camp and set free 1000 slaves. The effect of the victory was to scatter the forces of the Arab slayehunters, and eventually to rid the country of their presence.