AN ENGAGEMENT

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 86, 13 April 1899, Page 6

AN ENGAGEMENT

THE PRACTICE OF DECAPITATION

H.M.S. Royalist made a trip to Tutuila and returned with about 250 fighting men, who were all well armed

Cor that purpose, for it was thought they Would act better than the natives of the place and so far surmise has proved correct. On Wednesday (March 29) the combined forces went out and surprised the rebel party at Magiagi, about 2 miles from town. An engagement took place, the result being that about 16 oE the natives were killed or wounded. A most unfortunate affair was that the Tutuila party, Who fought well, came triumphant through the town with the head of one of the Aictims. On this being known by the Admiral, he at once took steps so that, it should not occur again, and Captain Stuart at once came ashore and had an interview with the King who promptly issued a proclamation putting a stop to the practice. It appears that the chief from Tutuila did not know that there was a law forbidding them decapitating or mutilating the dead or wounded. He promised that it would not happen again. At the same time there is a good deal of excuse for the natives on this occasion it being their old-time custom. The native forces who were, engaged on Wednesday acted with great promptitude on the order being given to advance, and that there was no reason to doubt their courage. Even Lieutenant Gaunt said his squad as he terms them, were all right, and Lieutenant Monaghan who had charge of another detachment said they were all right. It appears that the rebels were completely taken by surprise, and did not expect the blue-jackets with that death dealing" gun so close to their retreat, and immediately they found out their mistake they made a bolt, but too late to avoid the American gun which kept throwing them in at the rate of 600 per minute.

The representation made to the newly-crowned Malietoa forcibly preyenting the abhorrence with which civilised peqple regarded such barbarity as head-cutting quickly bore fruit. The new King, who, personally, it is presumed, resented the recurrence to a custom, the practice of which has, on previous occasions, been abused, as unworthy of the present state of civilisation of the people, immediately issued a proclamation, which was circulated. A translation of it is' as follows: — 1. It is strictly prohibited in this war for anyone to take the head of another man. 2. If anyone disobeys this order his punishment will be death according to his breach of this law. 3. Let every thing be done in the fashion of the Avars of enlightened governments. This is the advice of the • two Great Governments of Britain and America. 4. This order shall be upheld and strictly enforced. I am, MALIETOA TANU MAFTLI, King of Samoa. The German Consul wrote to the Admiral asking whether two 'Christian countries countenanced such practices, which were an outrage upon Christianity and a violation- of a decree of the Supreme Court. The Admiral replied tartly that he quite concurred in condemning the inhumanity of such proceedings, but Mataafa, whom the Germans were now upholding, practised them upon good German subjects ten years ago, and if the German Consul had supported the other two Consuls and the decree of the Supreme Court three months ago, there would probably have been no occasion for bloodshed or opportunity for the revival of the barbarous practice of decapitation. • MORE SKIRMISHING. On Thursday (March 30) the combined forces patrolled for about two miles behind the town and surprised the natives. They made a stand, but soon retreated, the machine guns no ! doubt giving speed to their movements. The 'Royalist' which had gone to Savaii returned with about 180 natives. They had come over for the purpose of joining the Malietoa party. On Thursday evening at 8.30 a party of natives who had got down on the beach opened fire on the British Consular guard and at the same time fired into the town. They were warmly received and soon retired. Matters remained quiet during the rest of the night.

At 6 o'clock on Friday morning (March 31) the combined forces.again marched out of town. Five armed boats also left the ships of war and proceeded along the coast. Shortly afterwards a gocd deal of shooting was heard in the direction of Vailele. This was from the armed boats that had gone out,, and near Malic they seemed as though they have had a warm time of it for -firing was continuous in that direction, and by the smoke which was seen ' indicated that the rebels were in force there. They destroyed by fire several of the native houses and 13 boats, bringing two of them into port. They also saw a considerable number of natives. Whilst on their way back the natives in force ATTACKED THE BOATS, but owing to the state of the tide the boats had to retire. The natives kept on firing whilst they were in range. The land forces returned to camp at 10.45 a.m. after 4J hours travelling. Although several natives were seen they at once made off on the approach of the combined forces who only fired a few rounds after them. The rebels did not reply. It is said that four were killed and three wounded during the engagement on Thursday. I paid a visit to Mulinuu Point and noticed that the whole place had a clean and orderly appearance. The guard which is composed of the men from the 'Philadelphia' have got splendid quarters, part of them being stationed at the late President's house, the other Toeing right at the end of the Point, and they are ready for a turnout at a moment's notice. During. the evening of March 31 all was quiet, with the exception of a stray shot. Saturday morning- the American and British forces patrolled behind the town with the assistance of native scouts.

DEATH OF AN AMERICAN.

The American marine who was unfortunately struck by a shell fired from the flagship. died on Saturday. He was buried at Mulinuu Point on Sunday morning.