The Helena Independent

Marching Into Africa.

Paris, Feb. 4.—A dispatch has been received here from Major de Brazza, the well known French explorer, who is in command of the Chari and Lake Tchad expedition. He says he finds it a wiser plan not to carry out his intention of punishing the hostile tribes which attacked Fourneau's expedition, which set out last year to explore the valley of the Sangha-Bayen, Central Soudan and the French Congo, but to confine himself to establishing friendly relations with the hospitable chiefs, with the view of forming a chain of military posts from the coast to Lake Tchad. Such a course, he adds, would be a great aid in the extension of French influence in that part of Africa. Fourneau's expedition, above mentioned, was attacked by natives in August last, sixteen of its members killed and thirty wounded. All their merchandise and many rifles were captured by the natives and the expedition was compelled to retreat, being followed for a long distance and constantly harassed by the enemy.