Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-09-03

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palace OF the Sultan of Zanzibar was
bombarded this morning and at noon
it was mass of blazing ruins. The
usurping chieftain, Said Kalid, and
the commander of his forces, Said
Sales, succeeded in escaping to the
German consulate, where they sought
refuge and remain under the protection
of the German flag.
During the night there were num-
Der of disturbances among the natives
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 that Said Kalid re-
ceived further reinforcements from the
slave dealers, who flocksd to his sup
mort because the formal hosting of the
British flag over Zanzibar would mean
the Liberation of about $50, 600 slaves
and a death blow to slavery in this
part of East Africa.
By s O'Clock this morning the British
subjects, numbering about 100 persons,
and a number of other foreigners had
embarked on board the warships, the
Italians going on board the Italian
gunboat Volturno and the Germans
seeking safety at the German consulate.
Shortly before 8 o'clock naval officer
was sent to the palace square with q
message for Said Kalid, asking him il
he was prepared to surrender in accord
ance with the terms of the ultimatum
and notifying him that the palace in
which he had barrlcadod himself would
be shelled at 8 o'clock promptly il he
failed to haul down bis flag before
that time. He replied that be would
die sooner than surrender. His answer
was conveyed TO Admiral Rawson and
the British consulgeneral, and the
crews Of the ships, which had been
prepared for action, were sent to quar-
ters
At 8 O'Clock the flagship signalled
the Racoon, Thrush and Sparrow to
commence firing and instantly the
cruiser and the two gunboats opened
fire with their heavier guns, and 10
minutes later they had sent storm of
shell and shot into the palace, tearing
big gaps in ito and scattering death
and confusion among its defenders,
besides dismounting some of the guns
ashore and putting to flight the gun
ners handling the pieces The fire OF
the warships was admirably directed
| and smoke was soon seen to be issuing
from several parts of the palace During
| this time the st. George and the Philo--
mel were held in reserve, although they
| occasionally pumped shell into the
| enemy's camp, adding to the dismay
of its defenders. The Bacon, Thrush
and Sparrow kept up the bombardment
until 9. 80 o'clock, when the palace was
| tumbling in ruins and large rents had
been made in the barricades of Said's
followers. The latter, however, an
swered the fire Of the warships with
great persistency and gallantry and
did not stop firing until, in response
to the hagship's signal of cease
firing" the guns Of the warships
stopped showering shot and shell
ashore. The loss of the enemy is not
known but must have been heavy,
! especially among the defenders of the
| palace proper.
During the commandment the Sui
tan's armed steamer Glasgow opened
fire on the British warships, but few
well -aimod nhells from the heavy guns
Of the kacoon and shot or two from.
the 4-inch guns of the Sparrow crashed
through her and silenced her fire in
short order and ultimately sank her at
her moorings.
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the walls and roof were sent flying here
and there by the shells of the war
ships Said Kaid and Said Sales
escaped with a number of their leading
followers through the back part of the
palace and hurriedly made their way
to the German consulate, where they
asked for protection, which was ac-
corded them.
Admiral Rawson, in order to prevent
the escape of Said kalid and his fol-
lowers to the mainland Of Africa, where
their presence would undoubtedly
have caused trouble with the slave
leaders and their adherents, sont de-
tachments of marines, blue Jackets and
local Zapzibaris to occupy all the roads
and avenues of escape. thus hemming
in the enemy pretty effectus'ly, although
many escaped to the mainland and
neighboripg islands in dhows.
Shortly after 10 o'clock, in response
to another signal from the flagship st.
George, reinforcements of marines and
sailors were sent ashore from the
British ships and the work of captiir-
ing the insurgents, collecting the dead
and attending to the wounded was
commenced.
Ds S.y aug 10 no
State Department has received the fol-
lowing cablegram from Dorsey Mohun,
Consul at Zanzibar:
"Kalid Bin Bargash refusing to sur
render, palace was bombarded by Eng
lish fleet at o'clock this morning and
totally destroyed. Many killed. He
took refuge in German consulate.
Afterward Hammond proclaimed Sui
tan All Americans safe - NeN
The State Department. has no in
formation as TO the Americans referred
TO in Consul Mohun's dispatch. The
American trade with Zanzibar is con-
siderable, experimenting 81, 600, 600 an
nually. The United States buys from
the Africans ivory, hides. rubber, gums
and cloves and sells them cotton and
petroleum. There Is no anxiety lest
American interests suffer.
Zanzibar, Africa, Aug, 2s.-The
crisis here ia regarded as ended. The
new Sultan, Hamoud Bin Mohammed
Bin Said, is expected to follow the
peaceful lines of his predecessor. II is
understood that Great Britain does not
intend to make any change in the ex-
listing form of government. The sug-
gestion that the presence of the sup
pressed usurper. Said Kalid, at the
German consulate implies a political
intrigue is not credited here. 1t is ex-
pected that Kalid will be banded over
TO the British officials as soon as the
German consul receives the necessary