In spite of M. Loubet's caution and the resolutions of
the Chamber, or it may be in consequence of them, affairs in Dahomey threaten to become more serious. Behanzin, the King, has heard by telegraph of the vote of 2120,000 for defence against him, and declaring that this is war, he has mobilised his savage troops, and now threatens the settlement of Porto Novo with fourteen thousand men, of whom four thousand have quick-firing rifles. If he seizes Porto Novo, and massacres its people, it will be almost impossible to avoid war, and the French Government will be at its wits' end for resources. The ships cannot act alone ; there are not enough of the trained Senegalese, whom the Dahomama, moreover, do not fear; and the Chamber will probably adhere to its resolution not to send conscripts to so deadly a climate. The alternative is to retire altogether from the coast, and although this grievously annoys French pride, it is by no means certain that it will not at last be adopted. The Bourbons retired from India rather than send out regulars, and the reluctance of officers to go has rather in- creased than diminished. An expedition to Abomey would require ten thousand men, and with M. Clemenceau's consent they certainly will not be sent.
