ANGLO-FRENCH FIGHT IN AFRICA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2086, 15 February 1894, Page 35

ANGLO-FRENCH FIGHT IN AFRICA.

Colonel A. B. Ellis, of the Wesfc India Regiment, has telegraphed to the Right Hon. H. Campbell-Bannerman, Secretary for War, the despatch being dated Warina, December 23, as follows :—

Before daybreak this morning our camp was suddenly attacked by a strong force of natives, several of whom were armed with rifles. For 40 minutes there was a hot fire. The enemy used trees for cover. The killed of the Wesfc India Regiment are Lieutenant Listen, Secondlieutenanfc Wroughfcon, Sergeant Carraher, and four privates. The killed of the constabulary were Captain Lendy and two privates. "The severely wounded were Sergeant Field and 14 privates of the regiment, and three privates of the constabulary." "The fire slackening, we advanced and found seven magazine rifles and eight chassepots. Shortly after a wounded prisoner reported that we had been attacked by Lieutenant Moritz, of the French Army, 32 Senegalese sharp-shooters and 1200 Kissi natives. The prisoner stated that Lieutenant Moritz had left Farana with this force against the Sofas at the end of September and had arrived December 21 at Tenbikundu, 50 miles north-east of Warina. Lieutenant Maritz, hearing that; there was a war iv the Connoh district, believed that ifc must be fchafc ib was being carried on by the Sofns, under Porokcrri, a Sofa chief, who was trying to escape from fche British troops and join Sultan Samundu. Lieutenant Moritz left on the morning of December 21, and halted on December 22, 15 miles north-east of our camp. He left this point at midnight under a full moon and attacked us, believing us to be Sofas. I wrote to Lieubenaufc Moritz, explaining fche situation. A letter had been previously sent on December 13, to the commanding French officer afc Kissi, in Sanhara, givingnotice of the approach of fche British troops. Afc 11 o'clock Lieutenant Moritz was found severely wounded. Despite all medical assistance he died afc noon. Before his death he said that natives had told him that we were Sofas, and that he had no idea we were British. Lieutenant Moritz and 10 Senegalese who had been killed in the fighting were buried with military honours. Captain Lendy anil two constables were shot by their own men. Another letter has been sent to the French commander afc Kissi informing him of the occurrence and assuring him that fche friendly relations existing will uofc be disturbed owing to Lieutenant Moritz's mistake. Warina is within our own sphere, in which is the source of the Babbes river, which flews eastward." The British Government has ordered that a stringent inquiry be made into the affair. Another report of the

engagement says that it took place by moon* light, and that it was owing to this fact that Lieutenant Moritz was not able to distinguish the uniforms of the British troops. The latter were taken by surprise. The confusion in the British camp was great;, and this was added to by careless firing on the part of the British.