THE- NIGER EXPEDITION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2242, 18 February 1897, Page 13

THE- NIGER EXPEDITION.

A DESPERATE FIGHT. COMPLETE D EPIC AT OF THE ENEMY. SPLENDID CONDUCT OF NATIVE TROOPS.. • London, February 9. The punitive expedition against the King of Benin advances from Forcados to-morrow. The King's message to Captain Boisragon states that he will not allow any white men to remain in Benin. If the expedition approaohes he will fight at the waterside, and if his soldiers are killed he will retire to the back country. February 10. Advices from the West Ooast of Africa state that Colonel Arnold's column defeated the. outposts of the Fulahs at Bida. Many of the natives were killed and large numbers token prisoner. The health of the expedition is good. Sir G. Taubman Gojdie, the Governor of the Niger Company, has assured the chief of the Ribbas that the domination of th« Fulihs has been terminated. News has been received that the Niger expedition captured Bida, the capital of Mupe, and that the Emer'a palace has been occupied by the troops. Lieutenant Thomson, of the Leicester regiment, was amongst those killed in the engagement. February 11. Later particulars show that the fight at Bida was of a desperate character and lasted from sunrise to dark. The enemy numbered 20,000, and occupied a ridge between Bida and the British force. Majoij Arnold's four companies with four Maxim guns advanced within two miles under the ridge. Their fir*) drove the main body of the natives towards the capital, but the enemy's flanking parties crept round to the rear. Major Arnold then formed a square with a Maxim at each corner, but the natives, despite terrific losses, charged repeatedly with great gallantry. They failed, however, to break the square, although hordes of cavalry attacked it on all sides. The seven - pouuderj were fired into the natives at a range of 1500 yards with considerable effect. Ax. 3 o'clock in the afternoon the enemy began to retreat, and the heavy guns then completed their defeat, and the capital was taken. Farther reports from Mape show that the Hausa soldiers under British officers behaved splendidly. They were undsr perfect control, and their discipline was equal to that of the beßt white men. Six men wero wounded. February 12. News from West Africa states that Colonel Arnold's column captured Bida after a day's bombardment. Two chiefs were killed, and the Fulah princes fled towards Sokoto. A shell burnt within a foot; of the Emir. Paris, February 8. Las Debats has published an article reflecting in bitter terms npon what it regards as a recent bungling of France in allowing Great Britain to occupy posts on the Niger, which, it deolares, really belong to the French.