The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-21
ANOTHER ILLUSION GONE
FACTS WHICH SHOW THAT SOME
PLAIN LIES COME FROM AFRICA.
Never Was Queen of Zanzibar
There Was No Consul smith. and
the shotgun story IL Untrue.

One OF the stories that went the rounds
OF the American press some years since.
and which was much enjoyed was 10 the
effect that the American consul 10 Zanzibar
had fired load of birdshot at the queen
OF that far-away island An Indiana trav-
eler, who found himself in Zanzibar, made
inquiry in relation to this story, and found
it to be baseless. In a personal letter sent
TO friend in this city. he said: Be
cause OF the fact that Zanzibar is on the
opposite side OF the world from America.
and that there is little communication
between our own country and this far
away island. some people who have visited
this country, and others who have not, but
who possess a vivid imagination. have In
dulged in much romancing concerning
Africa in general and Zanzibar In particu-
lar. These romancers, presuming on the
people, and believing that no one In
America will go to the trouble 10 tab up
on them. have written fearful and wonder
full stories Of exciting adventure and hair
breadth escapes from tragic deaths by
wild beasts and savage natives. One case
of racy romancing and preposterous pre-
sumption was that OF one Captain Riley,
who imposed upon the press and succeeded
in securing the publication in many OF the
leading journals In the United States. In
recent years. of a story concerning his
experience In Zanzibar. The story, which Is
familiar to many. was to the effect that
Captain Riley was at one time stationed
as United States consul in Zanzibar, and
that when he assumed charge OF the off
fee, believing 1t his patriotic duty. as well
as his privilege under treaty regulations.
he unfurled the American flag over the
consulate. This conspicuous display OF the
national colors, 1t is alleged by the cap
tain, was offensive to the Queen Of Zanzi-
bar, who requested the removal OF the obs
jectionable banner. The captain, being
patriotic man and believing that he repre-
scented officially the greatest country on
earth, refused to comply with the request.
or rather demand. OF the Queen, informing
her Highness In plain, but undiplomato
language, that so long as he was consul
the flag of his country should float over his
official mansion.
THE SHOTGUN APPEARS.
'This, it is further alleged, greatly i'm
censed the Queen. who. being accustomeo
to obedience to her will, sent some OF her
subjects to remove the flag. The brave
captain, not frightened at this hostile att
tempt to humiliate the consul and insult
the dignity of the country he had the honor
to represent, proceeded to defend the flag
with a double-barrel shotgun which he
had taken the precaution to bring with him
on coming to a country so beset with dam
gers. Following the advice OF an illus
trious statesman who once said. If-aHy-
ho fac
shoot him on the spot he succceded in
routing the servile subjects without being
compelled to resort to murder. When they
saw the courageous captain and his for
midable weapon Of war, they rushed back
to the palace to tell their Majesty that the
American consulate was so strongly for
titled and defended that it was impossible
for them to carry out her wishes in re-
moving the flag.
but the exciting episode. according u
the Captains story, did not end with his
first victory. The Queen was greatly enraged
at the rout OF her subjects, and. desiring
| to set an example of bravery for her peo-
pie that would in the future inspire them
| to wondrous deeds Of valor and bravery,
proceeded at the head OF a small body OF
| faithful retainers to the consulate, where
| she renewed her demand for the removal
| of the flag The second demand met with
the same stern refusal as the first, where
| upon her Highness proceeded with her
own hands to chop down the stan from
which waved the banner OF liberty. 1t was
| then that the brave captain according TO
| his own story came heroically TO the de-
| Tense Of his countrys fiag and sent a load
| of shot from the fowling piece into the
| anatomy OF the dusky Queen He relates
| that this shooting of the Queen Of Zanzibar
created great excitement in the city, and
| that he was compelled to keep guard over
| the consulate with his shotgun for sew
eral days until the feeling occasioned by
| the shooting subsidized.
"The righteousness and the absolute abb
| surdity OF this story is apparent TO any
| one who is in the least familiar with his
| tory or with the customs OF the Oriental
rulers in general, and the Arab race In
| particular. History shows that Zanzibar.
| including the islands OF Zanzibar anc
Pemba, and strip OF inland coast country.
| has been ruled by an Arab sultan for the
past century. The customs and traditions
| of the people prohibit women from taking
any part in social or political affairs. In
fact, Arab women seldom appear I'm pub
| lie and when they do 1t IS under the pro-
| lection of a veil which shields the face
| from the gaze OF curious observers. The
wife OF sultan is never known 10 the pub
| lie.
NO QUEEN. NO CONSUL SMITH.
There has never been a Queen Of Zan-
zibar. and no such incident as that related
| by the romancing captain ever occurred.
| Further, Captain Riley never United
| States consul TO Zanzibar. There Is a rec
| ord of continuous service I'm the office
| since 1884, but the name or Riley does not
| appear on the records I'm that time The
| names OF the men who have served the
| United States as consul at Zanzibar. and
| the order OF their service are as follows:
| In 1884, Richard Palmer: 1893. II. =. Waters.
| 1874. w. c. Waters; 1886. w. III. Jelley: Isfs.
| c. w. Ward; 1852. ]. +. Webb; 1853. w. II.
| Mullan; 1855. ID. +. Mansfield: 1853, Il. y.
Ropes; 1s6o w. c.. Webb: 1852. w. s. Speer:
1868. w. L. Hines; 1855. Edward Ropes; lss7.
f. II. Webb; ISL. ]. F. Webb: 1873. +. r.
Webb; 1874, +. NJ. Cheney; 1876 W. III. Hs-
| thorne: 1881. l.. A. Bacelder: 1888. 4. NJ.
Cheney; 1856. +. ID. Ropes. Jr.; 1891. Seth
A. Pratt; 1855. A. +. Il. Govea: 1892. j. A
1 Jones; 1892. G. w Dow 1893. J. w Allen.