The Washington herald., 1907-12-22

Berlin. Dec. PA severe blow has been
struck at British prestige among the ma
tive tribes OF East Africa by an alarming
incident concerning which absolute reli-
ance may be placed on the following
facts:
Some time ago soldiers forming the
bodyguard OF the Sultan Of Zanzibar mu-
TIMED, and for several days the Sultan
was in serious danger. He was menaced
with death, or at least dethronement.
The Sultan Ali Ben Hamud. in this
predicament. appealed TO the British con-
sulate general for assistance. This appeal
was natural and legitimate, since Zan-
zibar is not entirely an independent mon
archy. but a British protectorate. The
Sultan had. therefore, distinct right to
claim British aid in the hour Of need
The British consul general was absent
and the vice consul in charge was obliged
TO inform the Sultan that there was no
British war ship within hundreds of miles
so that the prompt assistance required
was impossible. But. recognizing the
urgency OF the case, the vice consul
telegraphed TO the captain of the German
cruiser Buzzard, then lying at Dar-es-
Salaan, the capital of German East
Africa. asking him 20 hasten to East
Zanzibar to quell the palace disturbance
Orders from Berlin.
The captain OF the Buzzard hesitated to
intervene in a British protectorate on his
own responsibility. and cabled to Berlin
for orders. The German admiralty re-
ferred the matter TO the Emperor, who
Immediately ordered that any assistance
required by the British authorities at
Zanzibar should be given with the least
possible delay.
Thereupon the Buzzard proceeded. full
speed. to Zanzibar to restore order. The
captain Of the Buzzard had orders from
Berlin to land n force. If necessary, and
garrison the palace by German bluejack-
ets, so long as it seemed desirable.
It appears. however, that matters did
not reach this pitch, but the mutineers
were partly overpowered and partly per
suaded to return 10 duty by their English
and other European officers. The sui
tan's troops are commanded by a Brit
ish officer. Brig. Gen. Raikes.
No doubt the appearances Of the Ger
man war ship materially helped 10 over
'~'O NAAp A4uAuFtlS GIiu ldClulateQ the
task Of the officers in terminating a ris-
Ing which threatened to produce such
serious consequences. Subsequently, the
British government sent a cordial mes
sage OF thanks TO the German govern
ment for its friendly action at Zanzibar.
Aid Without Delay.
The attitude Of the German CAPTAIN of
the Buzzard, as well as the German. ad-
miralty at Berlin. was perfectly correct
from beginning 10 end. They were asked
for assistance by the British vice consul.
and gave It with the least possible DELAY.
The whole preceding. however. IS ex-
tremely humiliating. as the greatest naval
power in the world was driven TO appeal
for German aid in quelling a disturbance
IN a British prOtectorate in which the
native troops are commanded by a. Brit
ish officer.
It is noteworthy that although no Rrit-
ish war ship was within reach. there was
q second German cruiser. the Seeadler.
close at hand, which could have re-en-
forced the Buzzard at Zanzibar il moro
assistance had been necessary.
The incident made q deep irnpression
not only on the natives Of Zanzibar. but
also all along the coast and far into the
interior 1t is hardly possible to explain
how much Of prestige Britain suffered
in the estimation of the natives by an
incident such as this.