The sun., 1896-10-26

lndisorlminhtely In two small rooms, whero
they are obliged TO sleep. eat, and exist without
change or respite, would be n sufficiently gross
outrage In a country like England. but when
such q punishment Is inflicted In the awful
climate under tho equator on the west coast of
Africa, IL amounts TO hideous cruelty.
Its dinlcult to imagine what Justification OF
Its treatment OF King Prempeh the British
Government would offer II called upon. He has
failed to pay an immense war indemnity. TO be
sure, but II remains to be proved that he has
the wherewlthal to satisfy the outrageous
claim. He has made recently forcibls protest
In the shape of n "humb petition" to Mr..
Cham berlain. the Colonial Secretary. In that
document his case Is set forth to this effect:
Since 1892 he has been in negotiation with
Great Britain with the view OF bringing himself
and Ashanti under the Queens protection. For
the purpose OF furthcring these negotiations he
in the present year sent envoys TO England.
These ENJOYS were officially informed that an
expedition was about to be despatched TO Coo
massie, that British officers would accompany
them back. and that II the King Offered NO re-
sistanoo the matter would bo settled peaceably."
The Commissioners their return informed
him (Prempeh) that he was required to send
three principal chiefs TO Prahsu to meet tho
Governor of the Gold Coast. make submission,
and accept the British terms; and also to send
TWO hostages tne OuheTNhuCe VI tncbf ttTub
accept u British Resident give q piece of land
for tho erection of IA Resdency. and pay tho
costs OF the expedition. He thereupon sent the
chief required, to mako full sub
mission and accept the British terms
and also sent two princes OF the
blood royal" to be held by her Majesty's
Government as hostages. All the persons SO
sent returned at the end Of q week and reported
that Capt. Donald Stewart informed them that
the ex peditiou would como to Coomasse in any
event. He d'rempeh) next sent back the depu-
ties and hostages. who returned reporting that
they had been turned back and ill.treated by the
British. He then despatched Prince Albert
Ansah with a letter to Capt. Donald Stewart,
stating that he was prepared to accept all the
terms notified by the Governor. and that he
had made proclamation throughout his ter
ritory that all weapons should DO removed to
the interior. and that no resistance should be
offered to the expedition" No resistance of any
sort offered. and when the British commnn-
der arrived at Coomassie Prempeh signiied his
submission by removing his headgear and sau-
dals and by kneeing At his Excellency'S feet"
This is Prempeh's account of what then hap
pened:
His E1cellency then demanded the i'm M diats
payment of the balance OF the indemnity i'm posed
by the treaty of Tomana Of 1874, and of the ex-
titioner replied that he was not prepared to pay
such an amount at once. but offered such gold
as he had in hand. amounting to 800 peregwins,
equal to f2.67O. and TO pay the balance in one
week II time were allowed, and to give two
hostages security for tho payment thereof.
His Excellency refused this proposition. and
your petitioner and others were made prisoners
aud subsequently brought to the coast under
the guard of the British troops and lodged in
the Fort ST. George d'Elmina. whore they now
are. Your petitioner begs 70 represent that he
has offered no resistance TO her Majesty troops
has accepted the terms put forward by nor
Majesty's representative. and that he is pre-
pared to pay the Indemnity il allowed q reason
able time to collect the amount. but that 10
cannot arrange for the payment unless he is
given opportunity TO meet his chiefs. which he
cannot do as long as he is detained u prisoner"
This, then. Is the other side of the story" Of
the Ashanti expedition-a thieving invasion
which the British Government has decided to
commemorate by striking a medal for the
benefit of tho brave participants. In contrast
with what l have written. 1t is interesting to
quote the announcement made through the
London pagers the other day of the sequel of
the raid as it is desired 1t should appear to
British eyes:
The dcp0sed Ashanti monarch, Prempeh,
has settled down quietly into the comparative
retirement into which circumstances drove
him. and is giving the British authorities no
trouble"
A bout with tho fols, which those who wit
messed it describe as one OF the closest and
cleverest they ever saw, took place one after
noon this week in Paris between those splendid
swordsmen. Sir Charles Dixie and Col. Desrues.
1t seems q misnomer to describe either man as
O veteran. Sir Charles Dilke's superb figure.
alert carriage ana Keen eye are more than
offset to tho testimony OF age which his
gray beard conveys. while Col. Desruess
o. years are marked by u physique OF
forty. This veteran of the French military and
diplomatic service still has no superior among
the fine blades OF France. and Sir Charles. who
is still pRssionately fond of the pastime of gen.
temen, has long been anxious to cross swords
with him. TIE great English puolicist is
original in fencing as in all else, and he
ranged with his antagonist in advance that he
could. II Le liked. change his foil from one
hand to the other
Certainly" responded the Frenchman. " Do
what you like. Hit me the top OF the head
II you please with your sword hilt. Everything
shall be permitted. but ! warn you II you play
any tricks shall certainly touch you
Then the battle began. and IL went OF with o
rush. for Col. Desrues always forces the fight
ing. His swftness and agility are marvellous.
His bounds were panthcr-like and 80 rapid that
the eye could scarcely follow them. Sir Charles
parried time after time, playing close def-n-
sve game at first. Nevertheless, he was the
first hit. "Touche" he cried In less tnan
minute after the first onset. Then the swords
flashed again. and in the sharp exchange
neither scored. Suddenly Sir Charles changed
his sword to his left hand. 81 Ha." cried tho
Colonel, and instantly charged again at his
ambidextrous antagonist There was crash
OF steel. and both cried "Touchc!" II was
double hit. The Colonel got the blade In tho
right arm, Sir Charles in tho left side. Both
stepped back and then the assault began
again. Sir Charles tried ono OF his favorite
resorts, his own device. think. for have never
heard OF its being used by any other swordsman.
He dropped almost to MS knees his left hand
touching the ground. and thrust for his op-
ponent's body above the groin. The attempt
failed. With lightning-like parry and feint. the
ColoneIs foil reached Sir Charles's mask before
he could recover The fight went on with still
greater energy. Sir Charles tried his dropping