The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-23

Jan. ----Ihe following details Of the pala-
Yer between Sir Francis Scott, commander
Of the British eXpeditionary force. and
King Prempeh, u Ashantee, when the
.atter made ais submission 10 Great Brit
ain at CoomaSsie. have just been received
trom that capital:
King Prempeh Before the PIundcrers.
The troops formed in the principal
square Of Coomassie AZ O'Clock on the
morning OF Monday last, preparatory 10
he grand palaVer. Sir Francis Scott and
ais staff were seated in a semi-ciTcle IN
the square. Shorty afterwar4 an officer
va sent 10 the palace vita instructions
% impress upon the mind of King Prem
peh that IL he did not appear before the
British commander within FIVE minutes
after his summons ne would 5e taken
rom his palace oy force. The King made
4 show Of resistance, bat finally accom-
4 panied the officer. surrounded by al es-
4 ort, TO the square. Arriving there, the
Ing took hi seat apOu the stool Of state.
after a few formal wcris had passed he-
4 ween the king and Sir Francis. through
interpreters. the king descended from ais
tool and shook hands with the British
4 commander.
+ The latter was then introduced by the
il British governor. who stated the negoua-
4 ions Nlich have been conducted between
4 aa representatives OF England and
n
nat he must formally submit 10 Great
n iritain and give up Immediately 5000
n unces OF gold as an indemnity for the
Epenses incurred by the British govern
lent IN sending an expedition TO bring his
II majesty TO terms. The king was also in
Il rmed that he must keep the streets
can. maintain order among the populace,
. nj that he would be held responsible for
a ny disturbances among the natives.
.N Tho F.fv.ry Craxnss In tho Du~s
King Prempeh was greatly impressed by
show Of force in the square, the Maxim
ans being conveniently posted and every
4 ard being utilized by the British and
II leir native allies. Finally the king re-
! led that he was ready 10 submit TO the
i .rtish, took off his crown and sandals
M nd advanced TO the seats formed by bis
nit boxes, upon which Sir Francis Scott
. nd the governor were seated. surrounded
Y their STATS His majesty then placed
" i head between the feet OF Sir Francis
4 eott and those of the British governor,
NJ asping them with his hands ana actu-
y .ly groyelhng in the dust as mark OK
n is complete submission 10 the power OF
ne queen OF England. This display OK
A.. cpl essness on the part Of the King great
f. = Impressed the Ashantees present. Tbey
we're greatly agitate9 and talked eXcitedly
I ogether, but they made no sttempt at re-
Stance. a step which would have been
y .seless. in the face OF the British expe-
. itiOn and the deadly rapid-hring guns.
England Demands Gold.
The governor finally made the king arise.
4 nd recalled TO his majesty's mind that he
ad been requested to Immediately pay 90
4 - ounces OF gold TO the representatives or
,ngland. In reply his majesty, who was
\ realty agitated. said he possessed only
I 500 ounces Of gold. and that he had no
neans OF collecting the $4,000 ounces de-
handed by the British. To this the gov
r rnor replied that such a statement vas
" lerely Chill's play. and that the demands
the British must Be complied with, as
a ne kings ability 10 pay the amount de-
. landed was too well known 70 admit OF
a ny discussion. King Prmepeh then asked
r time but the governor answered that
Il oon a previous occasion the Ashantees
\ I'd failed 70 keep their promises made 70
4 9 British. and that the latter had no
II tentiOn of giv:Hg~them the opportunity
doing the same thing again.
. The Royal Family Made Prisoners.
~ The governor then abruptly announced
at the king the queen. her mother Fnd
20 kings father. with the other chiefs OF
,nortance present, would he taken priso-
rs under escort 10 Cape Coast Castle.
Il strong guard OF British troops then
\ owed forward and surrounded the king
q queens mother. the king father. the
ointment chiefs ana the d+htistS7Hti Az -
thout any trouble. so suddenly was the
3vement made and 50 effectively was Il
"A rriei out The prisoners we're quickly
"A novca 70 a large house, which was sur
II undea by A guard. and then the Asian
= were quietly dispersed by the troops.
Not shot Fired.
II From the moment the expedition was
"A 81 organized until Il reached Coomassie
has not been necessary 70 fire single
"A ot. II may BE- said that the suom ssion
a "a capture Of King Prempeh VIE insure
Ii ~.tish supremacy in that part Of Africa
a many years TO come The Ashantee
-1bassadors who are accused Of having
n sled their people viii be tried. and. =
N md cu.lty. severely pan shed.
Fl ,-aar Coomass.e the British discovered
"A burned the notorious sacrifice grove.
MI llI OF human skulls ana bones 0f the vic
Fl -ns Of thu king The making q human
-rtfres was one o. the leading CONE
s.rts which fhe British had against knr
Fl -en.neh and his predecessors, and this
Il .srtice has now been stopped