THE SAMOAN KINGSHIP.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11126, 19 January 1899, Page 3

THE SAMOAN KINGSHIP.

THE FIGHTING BEGINS. MALIETOA MEETS WITH A OJtUSHING DEFEAT. (Per K.M.H. AuAiici}.^.) [by telegbaph.] Auckland, Wednesday. Sajsoan news per mail steamer Alameda states that tho Chief Justice gave his decision on the election gf tho king on December 31st. Ho held thai was disqualified under tho protocol attached to the Berlin treaty, and declared Malietoa Tanu, sou of the late king, duly elected king of Samoa, and Tarnasese vice-king. Hataafa had been massing a Large number of mon at his quarters for some days in anticipation of the coming struggle. The German Consul refused to co-operate with his British and American colleagues. Malietoa and Tamasese, with their chiefs, assembled a force of 2000 men, who wore well armed, but badly off for ammunition. Fighting began on Sunday. Previous to this 800 of Ifaliotoa's friends were captured by subterfuge, fylajjotoa had thus to abandon several important jyoiuts, and was routed. After tho Burrendor of tho main beach road Mataafa'B forces poured along it, the Consul-general Kose and Dr. HafTol riding in the van. They retired when the forces met. Malietoa's party, however, was outnumbered and a desperate battle was waged in the town of Apia between the conflicting parties, until Malietoa's forces were utterly beaten. Malietoa sought refuge in the Tivoli Hotel. A large number of foreigners wore thoro itiiio, an,'} Captain Sturdee, of H.M.S. Porpoise ordered tlioiu td go at once to the mission house under the protection of a British guard. Tho King was loft in the hotel with two devoted followers who deolinod to take shelter in tho mission compound. The rebels then attacked the hotel, but Captain Sturdeo and tho British Consul horoically rescued tho king, placing him undor tlio projection of tho Hritish flag. Ho waa with grout difficulty ombarltod oil tho Porpoise. All Maliotoa's ioic.ua doing out of ammunition, socured canoes, and sought protection undor tho guns of tho Poi'pOllKs. Tho losses rturln« flio fi(jht wore (il killed and wounded on Mataafa's side, and 32 killed and wounded on Maliotoa's sido. Captain iStiirden awl tho (.'ousulOeneral mediated between tho two parties, and settled tho terms of peace between tho parties. The Consular representatives of tho throo treaty L'owors met, and decided to recognise Mataafa

and hia chiefs as a provisional government. Mataafa and his followers looted the nativo portion of Apia. Blost of tho housea wero burnt and planl.ilions destroyed. AThen rspre-pntativi" cinit' Trom Alataafa to ask for tho sunvndor of Malietoa and Taniaseso the captain of the Porpoise left tho chiefs to deoido whether they wonld go ashore or remain. They decided to place themselves under British protection.