THE WAR IN SAMOA.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 205, 6 October 1888, Page 3

THE WAR IN SAMOA.

1 FULL PARTICULARS. ’ The following description of the fighting in > Samoa is from the Samoa Times :—Mataafa’s > party are well supplied with really efficient i rides and ammunition. Their arrangements [ for war preparation seemed to be if a superi ior description. They erected forts of a formidable nature, which some of the tnen-of i war officers in harbor declared to bo iinpreg- , nable to attack from their present opponents. They also erected several small fortifications, bet the fort of Faleula was evidently intended to be their stronghold. Numbers were daily pouring in to increase their ranks. Food was constantly sent for and received, their women being particularly active in procuring supplies. The strength of their fighting men may be fairly estimated at not under 4000 or 5000. They then notified their desire to fight the Government soldiers, and made no secret of the time they intended for the attack Captain Leary, of the U.S.A, warship Adams, visited their stronghold, some four or five miles from the town, aud seem d surprised at such a number of wellconducted men, their war arrangements in so short a time and under diffieu t circumstances being really good. He held a talk with their chief, who seemed determined to fight, and in fact told Captain Leary that they would die before they would give in to Tamasese. The action commenced by an attack on one of Tamaese’s forts, the rifle roar being distinctly heard through the ciiy some of the bullets striking the ves-.els in the harbor, and it is reported that one of the crew of H.I.M.S. Adler was wounded in the mouth by an erratic bullet. Such a roil of musketry was never before heard in Samoa, It was really terrific. From the commencement of the attack—ten minutes to one o’clock,—when there was a comparative lull, but at intervals while storming other torts, the roar was as furious as ever. We have great pleasure in stating that during the conflict not a single act of violence was committed. The lives and property of foreign residents wore held sacred by the combatants -, and, with the exception "of the shooting of Captain Bieset, which was unquestionably accidental, no other mishap occurred. Indeed, the city is particularly quiet since the fight. We can give no information as to the actual number of dead and wounded. It will be some time before that is known ; but from what we can learn, some 50 men and two or three would be about the number. We are informed that the proclaimed King, Malania, has sent a despatch to the German Consul or the Captain of the Adler, asking them to remove the marines from Mulinuu Point, and also a request to haul down Tamasese's flag, which is still flying at the Point. We have not heard what answer, if any, has been returned. The two war-ships in the harbour (German and American) maintained perfect neutrality during the conflict. The wounded who were brought in to Apia ’ were attended by the surgeons of the Adler U.S.A, warship Adams, and Mr Smith, a medical gentlemen who is on a-visit Their valiAble services were willingly given, and many lives have probably been saved by them. We also noticed that the Brothers o the Catholic Mission were industrious in rendering all the assistance in their power to the poor sufferers. [Later telegrams stated that further fight- ' ing had taken place.] 1