Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 87, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 July 1899 — SHOT THE SULTANA. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SHOT THE SULTANA.

1 How Consul Riley Defended the Stare and Stripes at Zanzibar William G. Riley, the ex-United States consul' to Zanzibar, who during his term of office created a profound

sensation b y shooting the Queen of Zanzibar because she was about to haul down the American flag, has again sought appointment to the consular service. Riley is a Southerner, and talks with the dialect peculiar to South-

land. Before reaching Zanzibar he was advised that former American consuls bad been subjected to many indignities by the natives, and he was prepared to encounter some difficulties in the administration of his office. When the steamer on which he was a passenger dropped anchor in the harbor of Zanzibar a delegation of half-clad Arabs, prominent citizens of the town, went aboard ship and inquired of the captain if he “had another cowardly American consul aboard.” The captain replied that, judging from the Irish name of the new consul and the reputation of his ancestors for fighting in the Mexican war, he was not a coward,

nor could he be intimidated by them. After landing the Judge called upon the representatives of the three* American business houses located there— Arnold, Hines & Co. of New Yprk, Betram & Co. of Salem and Ropes & Co. of Boston, Mass. Accompanied by the three Americans and a native interpreter, they called officially upon the Sultan and the Sultana. The Sultan appeared to be weighed down with domestic troubles, having seven regular wives, to say nothing of a dozen or more members of his harem, and the Sultana was evidently the executive bead of the Zanzibar administration. In parting he was informed that he would not be permitted to display the American flag over the consulate, as |t was distasteful to the Sultan and his lubjects. The hot Virginia blood of Judge Riley boiled with Indignation as he entered a most vigorous protest Against the proposed insult to the flag pf his country. He was told In reply shat if he put up the flag it would be nauled down. Again the Judge asserted his patriotism and declared he would shoot down the first man who attempted to Insult the emblem of his country. He then withdrew and proceeded to hoist the American flag over the consulate.

A guard of Arab soldiers appeared pefore the consulate and, through an interpreter, 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 opened fire on the Intruders and two of the men fell dead on the steps of the consulate. The remainder of the guard retreated, carrying off their dead comrades. A messenger returned, saying the Sultana commanded that flag to be hauled flown within twenty 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 a man and attempted to insult the American flag she would have to accept the responsibilities of a man. After twenty mlnutes s had elapsed the Sultana 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 lifted his gun and fired, find the Sultana received in'the fleshy part of her body about forty bird shot. She was carried back to her palace, and it was found that she was not seriously wounded, as the thickness of her toga had made the perforations scarcely skin deep. It was decreed that the Judge should be immediately taken out and shot. He barricaded the consulate, and single handed and alone resisted an attack successfully. Subsequently explanations ensued, and a commission was sent to Zanbizar to make a thorough investigation of the occurrence. Through the exercise of a little diplomacy, the difficulties were overcome.

CONSUL RILEY.

SHOOTING OF THE SULTANA.