WAR IN SAMOA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 10310, 31 March 1894, Page 5

WAR IN SAMOA.

HORRIBLE BARBARITY. THREATS AGAINST FOREIGNERS. fFsii Press Association, i AUCKLAND, March 30. The Alameda from Samoa brings intelligence of the resumption of internecine •warfare. Up to March 15 about thirty men had been killed and fifty wounded. The action of Chief Justice Ide in fining and imprisoning a large number of ringleaders" of the turbulent party was the cause of the outbreak. The natives asserted, and it seems with truth, that a foreign judge is not empowered by treaty to deal with purely native affairs, and greatly reseated many loading chiefs being compelled to labour on the public roads. The proposed disarmament was also a prime cause of discontent. la addition the people of Savaii have an outstanding grudge against the Aaua natives, and, heating that the latter were in rebellion, offered their services against them. A few days before the outbreak the Aaua rebels were supplied by some unscrupulous trader with a large number of cartridges. On March 10 a man belonging to the Government, while in the vicinity of the rebel camp, was killed. A skirmish ensued, resulting in another death, four gt the Government party and six rebels‘being wounded. One of the latter was captured and mutilated by the Savaii people, under circumstances of horrible barbarity. Two further attacks at intervals were made upon the rebels’ camp, and the latter were driven to Manono Island, where they were endeavouring to effect a junction with the other disaffected party. Head cutting, prohibited by Justice Ide, was indulged in wherever possible. The arrival of warships is anxiously awaited. Threats against foreigners become more violent after each struggle. It is feared that unless the matter is effectually settled a massacre of the whites will take place. The Government party after the victory behave 1 in a shameful manner, cutting down food trees, burning houses, and, it is said, insulting women. The consuls are endeavouring to hold a meeting with tho rebels to induce them to abandon the fighting.