The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1896-01-25
THE INDEMNITY NOT AT HAND
poral Ashantees Taken AS Prisoners to
Cape Coast Castle TO Wait
Its Payment.

Africa. Jan. 22.-The following details
Of the palaver between Sir Francis
Scott. commander Of the British expe-
dictionary force and King French of
Ashantee, when the latter made his
submission to Great Britain at Coo
massie have been received from that
capital:
The troops formed in the principal
square of Coomassie at o'clock on the
morning of Monday last, preparatory
70 the grand palaver. Sir Francis Scott
and his staff were seated in a semi
circle in the square. Shortly afterwards
an officer was sent to the palace with in
structions to press upon the mind of
King Prempeh that if he did not ap-
near before the British commander
within five minutes after his summons,
he would be taken from his palace by
force. The king made show OF re-
sstance, but finally accompanied the
officer, surrounded by an escort, to the
square Arriving there the king TOOK
his seat upon the stool OF state. After
few formal words had passed between
the king and Sir Francis through the
interpreters, the king descended from
his stool and shook hands with the
British commander. The latter was
then introduced to the British governor
who stated the negotiations which have
been conducted between the representa-
tives of England and Ashantee ending
by informing the king that he must Tor
mally submit to Great Britain and give
up Immediately $4,000 ounces of gold as
an indemnity for the expenses incurred
by the British government In sendlns
an expedition to bring his majesty 10
terms. The king was also Informed that
he must keep the streets clean, MAIN
tain order among the pQpulacc, ana tnat
he would be held responsible for any
disturbances among the natives. King
Prempeh was greatly impressed by the
show Of force in the square, the Maxim
guns being conveniently posted anu
every yard being utilized by the BRUSH
and their native allies.
Finally the king replied that ne was
ready to submit to the British, TOOK OIL
his crown and sandals and advanced
to the seats, formed by biscuit boxes
upon which Sir Francis Scott and the
governor were seated, surrounded ny
his head between the feet of Sir FRANCIS
Scott and those of the British governor
clasping them with his hands ana &C
tually grovelling in the dust as ilai
of his complete submission TO the po"oi
of the queen Of England.
The display of helplessness on tne
part of the king greatly impressed tne
Ashantees present. They were grea'is
agitated and talked excitedly togelhei
but they made no attempt at resistance
step which would have been useless
in the face of the British expedition ant
the deadly rapid-fring guns
The governor finally made the klhs
arise and recalled to his majesty 1all..
that he had been requested to lmneul
ately pay $4,000 ounces OF gold 10 Wv
representatives of England. In reply
his majesty, who was greatly agitateo
said he only. possessed $500 ounces
gold and that he had no means OF col
Letting the $4,000 ounces demanded ..
the British. To this the governor &c
piled that such a statement was merel.
-chlld's play and that the demanus
the British must be complied Wlth' d
the kings ability to pay the amount oe
manded was too we'll known to aullii
OF any discussion. King Prempeh the1
asked for time, but the governor an
swered that upon previous occaslo
the Ashantees had failed to keep thel
promises made to the British ana ina
the latter had no intention of glvln
them the opportunity Of doing the sam
Thing again. The governor then az
ruptly announced that the king, III
queen, her mother and the kings fatne1
with the other chiefs present would @