4i8 A TROPICAL DEPENDENCY matters to the protecting power. They had, in fact, bytreaty, accepted the recognised position of protected native states. The equivalent which was to be given by Great Britain was protection against external powers and respect for Internal law and custom. On one side, as on the other, the maintenance of communication and friendly relations was provided for.

Bornu had made no treaty with the Company, but by virtue of international agreement It fell within the territory allotted to the Influence of Great Britain.

The relations of protecting powers to protected states are always a question of discussion until they have been placed by the logic of accomplished facts outside the limits of theory. The exact measure of responsibility accepted by Great Britain In Northern Nigeria, at the moment of the establishment of British administration there, would have been difficult to define. The vague title of suzerain covered the position, and, beyond a general desire that slave-raiding should be suppressed and trade routes thrown open, there was probably no wish in any quarter In England to see a rapid advance towards the assumption of more defined duties, or of responsibilities which would Involve expense. The public generally knew nothing of the country. Political necessities had imposed the creation of a military force for the defence, not only of the Nigerian, but of all West African frontiers. A small grant in aid to meet other administrative expenses was reluctantly added by the Treasury to the sum required for the maintenance of the West African Frontier Force. These concessions were made rather by respect for the judgment and the wishes of Mr. Chamberlain, then occupying the position of Secretary of State for the Colonies, than by any strong conviction on the part of the British Government that Northern Nigeria was likely to prove a very valuable acquisition to the Crown ; and in the absence of a clearly expressed interest on the part of the House of Commons, in the adoption of a new West African policy, it seemed improbable that funds would be will-