We believe in the utility of " Buffer-States " only
when those States can defend themselves ; but certainly events in West Africa seem to prove that conterminous frontiers are- difficult to guard. The French on the frontier of Sierra. Leone have again fired on British troops—all black—and apparently within territory undoubtedly ours. It is not known if the French force was under the command of an officer ; but whether it was or was not, the excuse will be that- the attacking party did not know the boundaries or the nationality of their adversaries. That may be so, but it is only the French who make these blunders. The French Government, on the last occasion, behaved with perfect pro- priety, and doubtless will do the same this time; but we are by no means sure of the innocence of all local officials. They are very apt to be glad to "read the English a lesson," and a gentle hint from headquarters that ignorance so profound will next time be held to be a disqualification for office, may be useful in preventing these irritating, if excusable, errors. Is- there no flag of truce which is respected enough to allow of inquiry before firing ?
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