The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-08-28
British Warships Opened Fire
on the Palace of Zanzibar's
Sultan
In Order to Compel the Sur
render of Said khalid, the
Usurper.
In Fifty Minutes the Buildings
Were Smoking Ruins.
Many Killed.

ZANZIBAR, Aug 2S.-The palace of
the sultan of Zanzibar was bombarded
at a m, and at noon was mass of
blazing ruins, The usurping chieftain,
Said Khalid, and the commander OF his
forces, Sales, succeeded in escaping to
the German consulate, where they
have sought refuge and remain under
the protection of the German flag.
Rear Admiral Henry Rawson, G. B.,
pl command of the British Cape of
Good Hope and West Coast Of Africa
station, and the British consul general,
Mr.. A. H. Harding, c. B., after hold
ing a conference, communicated by
cable with the government Of Great
Britain, an outline Of the situation of
affairs here, setting forth that Said
Khalid, who seized the palace and pro-
claimed himself sultan on the death,
apparently by poison, Of Sultan Hamed
Bin Thwain Bin Said, had been strongly
reinforced and
Positively Refused to Surrender.
time about $500 well armed and well
disciplined men, including 800 Askaris,
who have been trained under British
officers, plenty Of ammunition and
number of field guns and other pieces
of artillery, which were trained on the
British warships. The latter, with the
reinforcements which arrived Wednes-
day, were the flagship St. George, the
third class cruiser Philomen, the third
class cruiser RacoOn, the first class gun
boats Sparrow and Thrush.
Later in the day cabled instructions
were received from London and another
conference was held between the ad-
miral and the consul general, and
eventually an ultimatum was sent to
Said Khalid, ordering him to haul down
his flag and surrender with his forces
no later than O'Clock in the morning
At the same time the British residents
of Zanzibar were notified to be on board
Admiral Rawson's ships by o'clock.
Reinforced by Slave Dealers.
During the past night, there was a
number of disturbances among the ma
tives in the outskirts of the town, but
they were promptly suppressed by the
$50 British marines and sailors who had
been landed to protect property and
guard the consulate Of Great Britain.
1t is understood, however, that Said
Khalid received further reinforcements
from the slave dealers who flocked to
his support, as the formal hosting OF
the British flag over Zanzibar would
mean the liberation of about $50, ,OOC
slaves and death blow to slavery in
this part of East Africa.
Bys o'clock, the British subjects
numbering about 100 persons, and a
number of other foreigners, had em.
barked ON board the warships
the Italians going on board
the Italian gunboat Volturno, and the
Germans seeking safety at the German
consulate.
Would Rather Die Than Surrender.
Shortly before o'clock, naval Of
ficer was sent to the palace square will
another message for Said khalid, ask
ing him if he was prepared to surrendel
in accordance with the terms of the ul
timatum, and again notifying him tina
the palace in which he had barricadet
himself would be shelled at 8 o'clocl
promptly if he failed to haul down hi
flag before that time. AS before, Sale
replied that he would die sooner thai
surrender. His answer was conveye,
to Admiral Rawson, and the Britisl
consul general, and the crews of ships
which had been prepared for action tn
day before, were sent to quarters.
Signaled to Begin Firing.
At 9 o'clock the flagship signalled tn
Raccoon, Thrush and Sparrow to com
mence firing, and a moment later tn
cruiser mentioned and the two gun
boats referred to, opened fire with thei
heaviest guns, and 10 minutes late
they had sent a storm Of shell and sho
into the palace, tearing big gaps in il
scattering death and confusion anon
its defenders, while dismounting som
of the guns ashore and putting to f1igl
the gunners handling the pieces. TE
fire of the warships was admirabl
directed and somke was soon seen to |
issuing from several parts Of the palac
During this time. the St. George an
the Philomen were held in reserv
although they occasionally pumped
shell into the enemy's camp, adding
the dismay Of its defenders.
Loss Must Have Been Heavy.
The Racoon, Thrush and Sparro
kept up the bombardinent- until 9:5
when the palace was tumbling in ruin
and large rents had been made in Il
barricades Of Said's followers TT
latter, however, answered the fire !
the warships with i.reat persistency 81