SECOND EDITION. THE TROUBLE IN SAMOA.

Evening Post, Volume XLVII, Issue 82, 7 April 1894, Page 2

SECOND EDITION. THE TROUBLE IN SAMOA.

PROSPECT OF CONTINUKD WARFARE. ■ Bt Tklkoraph.i ■ tINTTfD PRKSS ASBOCIATION.I Auckland, This Day. The New Zealand Herald's Samoa correspondent writes, Tinder date 27tli March : — It is now reported that the Aana rebols, who had retreated to Salapuala, have returned to their first position. They halted at Faiiusiu, and havo again entrenched themselves. The overtures of peace made by the Government at the request of tho Consnls will only be accepted by the Aaiia people conditionally on the rebels being allowed to retain their arms and ammunition. It ia not likely that the Government will make this concession, and aa it ib as morally certain that the rebels will persist in retaining their guns, efforts to restore peace will be futile. It seems to be understood by both parties that active hostilities are to be resumed next week, when the rebel position at Falitudu will be again attacked . The Atua has openly avowed its intention of coming to Apia, ostensibly as a neutral force, if fighting continues. Should this intention be carried out, very serious, trouble will inevitably ensue, as it is certain to eventuate in a rupture with the Tuamasft. There wa9 a cry raised last night shortly after 12 o'olook that Mulinuu was about to be attacked. A man came running from tho seat of Government along the streets of A-pia, cryizif? ont tba-t A.tna> boats -were approaching Mulinuu with warlike intentions. In a tew minutes the whole town was alivo with Tuamusaga warriors rushing down to the Peninsula to meet the attack. Drums were beaten and bugles blown in all directions. The excitement was intense for more than an hour, and then it became evident that it was a false alarm. It has transpired that on the evening of the day on which the first encounter took place Chief Justice Ido addressed a fono or cennoil of Samoan obiefs, reminding them that although a law had been passed prohibiting decapitation in warfare, yet in defiance of this law heads bad boon taken that day. He would sooner or later eoe that the offenders wer» arrested and punished by the Supreme Court. Mr. R. h. Stevenson defends both the ordinance and the conduct of the Chief Justice, but many persons consider the law a mischievous one, and the address of tho Chief .histico as a most extraordinary ono from a pei-son occupying a judioial position, and as likely also to do much praotioivl harm.