THE FIGHTING AT SAMOA. HOW THE TOWNSPEOPLE WERE HARASSED.

Evening Post, Volume LVII, Issue 21, 26 January 1899, Page 2

THE FIGHTING AT SAMOA. HOW THE TOWNSPEOPLE WERE HARASSED.

The following account of the recent fighting ivt Samoa is extracted from a letter sent by a lady residing at Apia to her relatives in Auckland : — Samoan war has always been looked .upon as a farce and kind of child's play, so we took very little notice of it this time, and gave it next to no thought. All we knew was that after the decision was given against Mataafa war was inevitable, and we thought that everything unpleasant would happen miles away from the town, as it always has done before. But, alas ! it was not to be so this time. Had there been no English warship heic at the time .the chances are that nothing more would have been heard of this family or any other either. Saturday, 31st December : Armed men everywhere, passing in front of our door and making thmselves so ugly by painting their faces with black paint. The rebels wore black loin cloths and white turbans, the other side more tappa on their bodies and scarlet turbans. The two parties chased each other all day, and in the after noon the rebels took to their boats and went along the coast. From there they proceeded inland — our side after them. They came up this road and lay in ambush for the enemy, just about two or three miles from this house. The rebelswished to drive our party into the town, and so they did. Just the thing we were 'most afraid of. 1 Not a shot fired yet^ I Sunday, Ist, New Year's Day : We rose in the morning wondering what the day would bring forth. Most of our time was spent on our verandahs, watching the thousands of natives passing our uoor, armed with loaded guns, axes, and hooked knives. Not a single church bell rang, and all was quiet in a way. Many people left their Jiomes and fled for safety to the iown, but we remained here till 4 p.m., for we knew that the natives did not wish to shed white blood. George was in town, hearing the news, and at the above hour he brought word to say that we were to leave here as soon as possible for the mission house in Apia, which was to be protected by a guard of armed marines from our good ship H.M.S. Porpoise. We were singing our New Year hymns at the time, and had not an atom of fear. But obey orders we had to, so without a oomb to comb our hair, we left home, wondering if we should ever see it again. Of course we locked up everything we could, so that in case of plundering we might save a little. Well, we all reached the mission house in safety, and had not been there more than half an hour when the two parties were in the town, and firing only a few hundred yards from where the mission houses stand. There are two in the same grounds. One is stone and the other wood. Oh, it makes me creep all over to think of it ! Only an hour before this they nad been asked for peace and had accepted it, and then without any warning they began banging away at each other, led and urged on by the Germans, and one American, who were providing the rebels wit* any amount of arms and amunition as they needed it. We had the captain of our ship and the Britsh Consul keeping order in the mission grounds, and protecting us. There was nothing for it out to lie flat oi), the floor in the dark, and await events, no one able to tell whose turn next. We were not being fired at — it was the stray bullets we were afraid of. Oh ! it was simply an awful time. During the night the wounded were brought into the study, which was just next to the room we were in, and the groans of agony ifrom them made us all the worse. The ship's doctor and many willing hands did all in their power for the sufferers^ who, I am glad to say, were ' not many in ' number, as the Samoans are not good shots. That night of terror passed by and brought rather a quiet mornings we poor things thinking all was over, or nearly so, bu,t we were wrong. A little later on, news came to say that the Malietoa men were out of ammunition, and were seeking , help everywhere without success. I , ■We haa the chiefs and the king, all the others were out at the ship, and the rebels were walking about the streets, headed by a' German, shouting that if the chiefs were not given up, the mission house would be rushed, and if they would consent peace would be proclaimed. After much consideration these men were given up, also those on the ships (by request), on condition that they snould not be molested. You may be sure that we felt greatly relieved when that room was emptied, which had been occupied by the king and his chiefs. It would make your heart ache oould you have seen the poor people running from their homes and storing their boxes wherever they thought they would be safe. They filled a very large 'stone church with their goods, feeling sure they would all be secure in a sacred building — but no. When the rebels had no one to fight against they began looting, and into the church' they went — smftshed it 'open and took every stick out. ; What was not useful to them they cut or broke in pieces. The whole of this place has been looted from end to end (I mean native property). Most of the native houses were either burnt to the ground, cut up, or carried away bodily, if they were very nice, and placed on Mulinuu. Many of the women were left almost naked in the street (I did hear some were entirely so), rings snatched from their fingers and earrings from their ears. The place is one scene of devastation and utter ruin. Even the bread fruit and cocoanut trees, which are their own staff of life, have been cut down or the growth stopped. The plantations have been robbed of everything on them. These awful people just took or destroyed everything their hands could touch. Our good, brave men from the ship were insulted by them. They say no other navy would have stood it without firing upon them, but their orders were to stick to their post, act like men, and not to fire a shot unless British subjects or property were destroyed ; so like good fellows, though boiling to let go, they did their duty, and thanks to them we are "where we are to-day. The Chief Justice and his family were all this time with us in the mission house, and the natives said they wanted the Chief Justice's head, so as soon as possible they were got on -board. Once more we breathed freely. ' '■'. ' As well as I can remember this brings me td Wednesday morning* After breakfast we came home, and found all safe and sound,- except our wire fences, which had been pulled down to make a roadway through. The rebels had had their food on our verandahs the day before. I don't think they would have touched us, but all the same I'm glad we were not there, We opened up the house, did some washing, for we were in a sore plight, and had settled down in. a measure, had our tea, and were setting at the table, talking over the events of the past days, when a friend brought news* to say that we were to get on board the ship, for should more trouble arise the captain would " blow up the town." It was dark, and our road is sheltered on both sides with plenty of trees, so imagine our feelings on hearing the news. But our British friends were most true and kind. Three gentlemen, as soon as the word was passed round, came up here at once, so, with their help, and our good brother, we bundled together a few clothes, and left* home once more. It was horrid on the road, for there were armed men everywhere. The searchlight from the ship was blazing full on our road as far as the bend, and as soon as we were seen from the ship, a boat was sent for us ; and off we went, and stayed there until Friday morning. W« were made very comfortable on

board, and everyone was most kind. . . This last act enraged our people so much, that the captain and consul issued notices that at noon on Saturday they would have a guard at the Court, and they, with the Chief Justice, would break open the Court, and that, if any resistance was shown either by German or Samoan blood, he would hoist the white flag on the ship, its a sign that all Britishers were to seek the protection she offered, and he, without further notice, would " shell the whole place." While this was going on in Apia, we were at home doing our weekly cleaning. In an hour or so after breakfast, G. came up with the news, so we had to pack up our traps once more and make for the town again We felt pretty sure that the Germans were too much afraid to resist, and we knew that Mataafa did not want anything to do with the Court. It was only his men who had been worked up by the Germans. So as the time drew near Mataafa called all his men in, and when the critical time came for us all, there was not a native to be seen anywhere round. We went to Apia for service last night, and found guards of armed natives on the road, but all was perfectly quiet. This is Monday, and nothing more has happened to frighten us— all is peace now. The Malietoa men have been taken to some of the distant islands of the group, and are to be kept prisoners there for a time. The rebels are nearly all gone home, so we have no need to fear. We are only waiting for the flagship to appear, which will come when this news is reported, and our captain hopes to see the British flag here in abou^ three months.