Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-06-23

CONSUL RILEY SHOOTING THE QUEEN OF
ZANZIBAR.
ing modesty, but insists that it can be
substantiated by the records on file in the
department of state-the captain replied
that, judging from the Irish name of the
new consul and the reputation of his an
cestors for fighting in the Mexican war,
he was not a coward. nor could he be in
timidated by them.
After landing the judge called upon the
representatives of the three American
business houses located there-Arnold,
Hines {, Co. of New York, Betram tS Co.
of Salem and Ropes & Co. of Boston.
Accompanied by the three Americans
and native interpreter, they called Off
cially upon the sultan and the sultana
The sultan appeared to be weighted down
with domestic troubles, having seven reg
ular wives, to say nothing of a dozen or
more members of his harem, and the sui
tGna was evidently the executive head of
the Zanzibar administration.
The judge says he presented his COM
mission as consul and several letters of
introduction. AT the conclusion of the
usual exchange of courtesies a small cup
of coffee was served, followed by glass
of cordial. In parting he was informed
that he would not be permitted to dis
play the American flag over the consul
ate, as it was distasteful to the sultan
and his subjects.
The hot Virginia blood of Judge Riley
boiled with Indignation as he entered
most vigorous protest against the pro-
posed insult to the flag of his country.
The language the judge says he used Oh
that occasion was equal to the most pa
triotic utterances of the greatest of
American statesmen and heroes. The
judge declared
u am the duly accredited representa-
tive of the grandest nation on Gods
green footstool. BY the eternal God.
sab, the flag of my country shall fly
from the masthead on the consulate, all
objections to the contrary notwithstand-
ing"
He was told in reply that if he put up
the flag it would be hauled down. Again
the judge asserted his patriotism and de-
clared he would shoot down the first man
who attempted TO insult the emblem of
his country. He then withdrew and pro-
ceeded to hoist the American liag over
the consulate.
A guard of Arab soldiers appeared be-
fore the consulate, and through an inter-
prefer he was ordered to pull down the
flag. He refused and threatened to
shoot any one who attempted to do so.
Two of the soldiers rushed forward
with small hatchets in their hands and
were about to cut down the flagstaff.
The judge says he opened fire on the in
truders, and two of the men fell dead on
the steps of the consulate The remain
der of the guard retreated, carrying off
their dead comrades.
A messenger returned, saying the sui
tana commanded that flag to be hauled
down within 20 minutes or she would
come in person and haul it down. The
judge sent his most gracious compliments
to her majesty, insisting that the flag
should remain, and he added that if she
assumed the offices of q man and at
tempted TO insult the American flag she
would have to accept the responsibilities
of man.
After 20 minutes had elapsed the sui
tana and her guard appeared before the
consulate. She made an attempt to cut
down the flagstaff. He warned her to
desist, but she hurled back at him an
Arabic defiance. The judge says he lift
ed his gun and fired, and the sultana re.
received in the fieshy part of her body
about 40 bird shot
She was carried back to her palace.
and it was found that she was not seri-
ously wounded, as the thickness of her
toga had made the perforations scarcely
skin deep. 1t was decreed that the
judge should be Immediately taken ont
and shot. He barricaded the consulate
and single handed and alone resisted an
attack successfully.
Subsequently explanations ensued, and
commission was sent to Zanzibar to
make thorough investigation of the oc-