Affairs in Samoa.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 235, 15 December 1888, Page 2

Affairs in Samoa.

MORE FIGHTING —ACTION OF THE GERMANS.

News from Samoa by tho Alameda states that Tamaaese’s forces had retired to a fort seven miles east of Apia, where Malietoa Mataafa’s forces had all but surrounded them. A sharp skirmish took place between a section of Mataafa's forces and a part of Tamasese’s men that were in occupation of an outer fort. This fort after some severe fighting was taken by the Mataafa men, who drove their opponents back into the main fort. The loss on Mataafa’s side was said to b» about 12 killed and 20 wounded, and on Tamasese’s side 26 killed and 40 wounded. The wounded of both parties were carefully attended to by the British and American officers and residents at Apia. On account of the rough nature of the couotry in which they are camped Mataafa's men have areat difficulty in getting provisions, food having to be carried on their backs for miles. Tamasese is better off in this respect, as he is apparently supplied regularly with provisions run from Apia to his camp by a schooner under the German flag. This is, of course, contrary to all the rules of international warfare, but the Teutons do not seem to care for that. About a fortnight ago the German Consul wrote a letter to Mataafa stating that his men had committed great depredations on German land, and that if he did not clear out of the place where he was the German warship Adler would go up and exact penalties. Mataafa showed this letter to the British and United States Consuls, and when the Adler left Apia to do her little bit of qniet coercion she was followed by U.S. Alams and H.M.S. Lizard which went to see what action would be taken. When the Germans saw this movement they thought better of shelling Mataafa off British land, and the Consul contented himself with landing and reiterating ths complaint he had made in his letter. The Adler then left, and after the Consul bad landed at Tamasese’s camp and held a Conference with that gentleman, steamed back to Apia with the other vessels in her wake.

When the mail left Apia the Garman warship Eber, which had just arrived, and was lying in the immediate neighborhood of Tamasese’s camp. A decisive battle appears imminent. The U.S. Nipsic had arrived to relieve the Adams, and both vessels had gone to the scene of hostilities. There were all sorts of vague rumors as to what they were going to do.