PARTICULARS OF THE ATTACK. Auckland, This Day.

Evening Post, Volume XLVIII, Issue 55, 3 September 1894, Page 3

PARTICULARS OF THE ATTACK. Auckland, This Day.

Tbo Anokland Star's Samoa oorroapondcnt, writing under dale 20th August, says:— When I lost wrote it was rumoured that the British warships, with the Gorman, wonld shortly bombard the Atuatan portion of the rebels. This turned out to be truo. • n the 10th inntant the Ourayoi and Bussard left Apia for Vailelo, near which placo the rebels wero in possession of the port of Futuanuie, which they had rendered almost impregnable. Upon arrival there the rebels were notified that the fort wonld be shelled at 1 o'clock on the following: day (Saturday). Shortly afterwards two of the rebel chiefs came off to the Cura?oa and told Captain Gibson that thoy would vacate their position if the Government troops wonld do likewise. They were informed that no oonditions would bo given, as they must disperse and return to their homos. Thoy asked what wonld become of tbo women and chaldron if the fort was ■boiled. They wero informed that if unable to reocovo them they wonld be brought on board the warships, where thoy would be safely oared for. The rebol obiofs thon loft, apd from information subsequently received it appears the majority of the rebels evaouated tbo position on Friday night. At daybreak on the following day it could be seen that the buildings within the fort hud been set fire to. However, punctually at 9 o'clook the Cara<;oa and Buesard opened fire on the now deserted position. Aftor shelling for an hour both tho ships blow their sirens, whioh was the preooncortod signal for the Government troops to advance into the enemy's territory. This they promptly did, being led by King Malietoa. They advanced as far as Salnufata, where they encamped for the night. On the following day (Sunday), Home of tho more adventarouß of the party rushed forward to seize one of tho robel boats, when llioy wore attaoked by a party of rebels, and two of the number wore killed and beheaded, some also being wounded Firing occurred at intervals throughout Snnday, with luckily but Blight loss on either sido. During the afternoon it was found that tho advance of the Loyalist parly had bcon rather a rash one, and they wore ' then,, practically surrounded by the rebels, who, ocoupying the higher positions, wero thus enabled to pour down upon -their opponents. A conference was held on board the Cnracoa during the aftor noon, and it was resolved to shell the rebel position on tho following day. They were notified accordingly, and next morning several shells were pitched in and around their forts, tho only object of the commanders of the warships being to dislodge them. This was thought to he done, and shelling was suspended for a time. Ihe King's troops advanced and took possession of one fort, but were almost immediately attaoked from an inner one, and had a number of their party killed and wounded . The rebels also suffered considerable loss. By this time the rebels had begun to imagine that they had nothing to fear from the firing of tho warship, having sustained no loss throughout. They appeared to fear nothing from the Gorman ship, as thoy had all nlong asserted that the sympathies of that nation wero with them, 'ihoy did, however, fear that when tbo Curaijoa took action they would suffer, and when they saw that so many shells had been fired with no loss of life, they began to show oontempt for warfare as it was conducted by British ships. They wore soon to be uudeoeived. About 4 o'clock a few more shells wore thrown, and the ships' gunners were nowigenabled to plaoe shells with almost unerring accuracy. The first was thrown about 50 yards from the fort, and the second one a little nearer The third was thrown right amongst the rebels, and killed two and wounded nine. The next lodged in the roof of the VVesleyan ohuroh, whioh building was destroyed Some further losb was sustained by the rebels, but the nnmber cannot be accurately ascertained. The rebels appeared to be satisfied, as very shortly afterwards they Bent off a flag of truce to tho warship and asked for peace. They were told that four of their ohiefa must come on board the following day and arrange with King Maliotoa. '1 he Government troops at once Btopped fighting. On Tuesday four of the prinoipal chiefs oame on board the i,uracoa. and promised tbnt they wonld disperse their followers, return peaceably to their homes, pay taxes, and deliver up 100 rifles. The King expressed himself thoroughly satisfied with the terms of submission, and the Cura?oa lef t for Apia, the Bussard remaining to see that the terms of the settlement were complied with. Sinoe then Government troops have gone to Aana to attack the rebels of that place, and it is believed that npon the return of the Ouracoa from Pago Pago, where she has gone to coal, the warships will also shell the position there. Captain Gibson, of the Cura<;oa, under whose direotiou the operations were carried out, has received great praise here for the humane and suooesst'ul manner in whioh he performed a duty wh'ioh was repugnant to him.