The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-01-23
HOW IT Was DONE
The Result Of Great Britain's Demand
Upon the King Of Ashantee.
A BIG INDEMNITY DEMANDED
Failure Of His Majesty TO Promptly Com
ply With This Condition Results
10 Ms Imprisonment

Copyrighted. 1896. by Associated Press)
Cape Coast Castle. British West Afri-
ca, Jan. z-The following details Of the
palager between Sir Francis Scott, com
mander OF the British expeditionary force
and King Prempeh. OF Ashantee. when
the latter made his submission 10 Great
Britain at coomassie. have Just been re-
ceived from that capital:
The troops formed in the principal
square OF coomassle AZ : o'clock on the
morning OF Monday last preparatory to
the grand palaver. Sir Francis Scott ana
his stan We're seated In semi-circle In
the square. Shortly afterwards an officer
was sent with instructions to impress
upon the mind OF King Prempeh that.
IL he did not appear before the British
commander within five minutes after his
summons. he would be taken from his
palace by force. The king made a show
OF resistance. but finally accompanied
the officer TO the square The British
governor stated the negotiations which
have been conducted by representatives
OF England and Ashantee. ending by in
forming the king that he must formally
submit 10 Great Britain and give up inn
mediaseiy 5000 ounces OF gold as an In
demnity for expenses incurred by the
British IN sending the expedition to bring
his majesty 10 terms. King Prempeh was
greatly impressed by the show OF force
in the square. Maxim guns being con-
venlentiy posted. Finally the king re-
Piled that he was ready 10 submit to the
British. took of HIS crown and sandals.
and advanced TO the seats, upon which
Sir Francis Scott and the governor were
seated. surrounded by their staffs His
majesty then placed his head between
81. =. - 4
OF the British governor, clasping them
with his hands and actually grovellng in
the dust as n mark OF his complete sub
mission TO the power OF the queen OF
England. The governor finally made the
king arise. and recalled TO his majesty's
mind that he had been requested 10 i'm
medlateiy pay 5000 ounces Of gold to
the representatives OF England His
majesty, who was greatly agitated, said
he only possessed $500 ounces Of gold,
and that he had no means OF collecting
the 5000 ounces demanded by the Brit
ish. The governor replied that such a
statement was merely childs play, and
that the demands Of the British must be
complied with. as the kings ability 10
pay the amount demanded was too well
known to admit OF any discussion. King
Prempeh thel asked for time. but the
governor answered tnat upon previous
occasions the Ashantees had failed to
keep their promises made to the British.
and that the latter had no intention OF
giving them an opportunity OF doing the
same thing again. The governor then
abruptly announced that the king. queen,
his mother. and the kings father. with
the other chiefs of Importance present,
would be taken prisoners under escort
to Cape Coast Castle
A strong guard OF British troops then
moved forward and surrounded the king.
the queens mother the kings father,
and prominent chiefs. and ambassadors.
without any trouble, so suddenly was
the movement made. and so effectively
was ii carried out. The prisoners were
quickly removed TO a large house. II
may be said that the submission and
capture OF King Prempeh win insure
British supremacy in that part of Afri-
ca for many years to come.
The Ashantee ambassadors, who are ac-
cused OF having misled their people, will
be tried, and, II found guilty. severely
punished. Near coomassie the British
discovered and burned notorious sacri-
ficing grove. fun of skulls and bones OF
victims Of the king. The making OF hui
man sacrifices was one OF the leading
complaints which the British had against
King Prempeh and his predecessors, anG
this practice has now been stopped.