THE WAR IN SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9254, 7 January 1889, Page 5

THE WAR IN SAMOA.

CONCERTED GERMAN ATTACK. SEVERE FIGHTING. THE GERMAN TROOPS DEFEATED. U TWENTY MEN KILLED AND THIRTY WOUNDED. VILLAGE BOMBARDED AND BURNED. y A SENSATIONAL INCIDENT. " THE CAPTAIN OF THE ROYALIST) NEARLY SHOT, ® . r GERMAN APOLOGIES. !- INTENSE EXCITEMENT AT APIA, L " WOMEN AND CHILDREN ABOARD t THE WARSHIPS. 0 STORES CLOSED AND BUSINESS PARALYSED. a [from our own correspondent.] Apia, December 25. The civil war that has been raging in Samoa . for the last three months, has within the last t few days assumed a new phase. Ever since t the war commenced many Germans hero have e stated openly that Germany was going to ■" send a squadron to Samoa, which would on its arrival anihilate Mataafa and his followers if they did not at once give tip their arum 6 and submit to the Tamasese-Germah Govern} ''i ment. The first of this predicted fleet to arrive § was the "Eber," but she and the "Adler" Y-% e , considere d too small to attack the '' difficulty. However, on Saturday last the Ulga came into port, and as she is looked upon as a crack ship in the German navy, the German authorities here now thought they had sufficient force to do something. Two days after her arrival, the "Olga" steamed up to Tamasese's camp, which is situated about ten miles east of Apia. Whafj transpired there I do not know, but when she came back into the harbour again a rumour it went round that she had a lot of Tairiaseso 6 warriors on board, and as Apia is entirely Mahetoa-Mataafa an uneasy feeling pre- " vailed as to what the Germans intended to ® do. They maintain since then that they [1 were black boys, and not Samoans they had on board, but there is very little doubt there were some Samoans amongst them. \ Considerable activity was observed around the Olga for most of the night, and early in the morning, two or three hours at least before daylight, three or four large armed a boats, containing about 150 men, left the ship, and proceeded in the most secret man- ,£ ner up the coast towards Malietoa-Mataafa's camp. The Samoans evidently got wind, of , this expedition, and suspecting its purpose, t followed and watched it. The Germans and [- their black allies went on to a place called Fangalii, close to one of the German plantations, and landed about the half of their men, the balance going to effect a landings little further on. It is stated that the first party thafj © landed were challenged by some Samoans y that were in the neighbourhood watching them, and that the Germans at once opened fire, killing a chief from Savaii and his son. The Samoans then returned the fire, and the fight became general. The Samoana positively assert, anal am inclined to believe them, that they did not tire a shot until one of their chiefs and his son were killed. The Germans soon found that although reinforced by the party that landed further j on, they were no match for the Samoans in this kind of warfare. The Samoana drove L- them up the coast to the manager cf the n plantation's house, where they were sur- £ rounded, and would undoubtedly all have been slaughtered had the man-of-war not come to the rescue, and, with shells driven the Samoans from the neighbourhood of the house. They then landed, and got the men away from their perilous position. No doubt . the Samoans outnumbered the Germans, but ,1 not to any great extent. The main body of , Mataafa's men were not in that neighbour"hood, and those who were fighting with the Germans were only Manono men and stragglers collected from different parts. There . may have been two or three hundred men, but not more. The German loss up to the present is 20 dead, including one officer, and 7. thirty-two wounded, including, I believe, 'I two officers. The Samoans' loss is not so easily ascertained, but I believe it to be about eight killed and 25 wounded. In a climate like this, it is very probable that many of the-German wounded will die, while from past experience the doctors think " that most of the Samoan wounded will pull through. It may appear strange that the e well-trained troops of Germany lost so e heavily against half-civilised men like the , Samoans. The Germans may have fought bravely, but man to man they, or any 3 trained troops with their heavy clothing and accoutrements, are no match for a Samoan in 3 his own kind of bush fighting. I hear that the plantation black boys who were armed to fight against the Samoans, cleared out after the first volley, and that a good many of them have since joined Mataafa. Now the question is, what was the - object of this military demonstration that- } cost the Germans so dear ? On this point . they are very silent. I hear that the officials . state that these men were sent simply to protect German property, and that the Samoans fired on them first. Both of these statements are disbelieved here, and are . simply looked upon as subterfuges to cover the failure of the expedition. One cannot see why it had become necessary to send a guard of 150 men now to watch the planta- > tion, when Mataafa's people have been in the vicinity for the last six weeks, and although often hard up for food have never, so far as I have heard, molested anything. There was nothing to show that Mataafa's people in--1 tended to act otherwise than they have done; then why this show of force, and why take •' men there and land them with such secrecy, 5 if the object was simply to protect a few cocoanuts ? Had such been the intention, they would have landed openly in daylight, and would then have been perfectly safe. A3 to the other statement, that the Samoans fired on them first, I do not believe " it. Anyone who was here when the Ger- : mans made war on Malietoa last year, and t who saw the forbearance of the Samoans then, are not likely to believe that their nature is changed now. At that time several hundred German troops went into the bush looking for Malietoa. They were surrounded by armed Samoans on all sides; although they could not see them, they were there and watching them. These German soldiers, struggling through the bush with their heavy boots ana accoutrements, could have been . massacred by the Samoans if they had wished . to do so, but they had no wish to fire on Ger- . mans or go to war with Germany. Knowing as I do what took place then, I cannot believe that the Samoans would fire > on the German sailors unless they were fired ■ on first. I am pretty well convinced that the German object in sending this ill-fated expedition was either to get to Mataafa's camp on the quiet and take him prisoner, or else to take up a strong position on the mam track, running through the Vailili plantation, and thereby cut off all supplies and take all Samoans prisoners going to or coming from Mataafa's headquarters. Whatever the object was those responsible deserve, and will no doubt get from their Government the severest censure for exposing their men in the reckless maimer they did. They trusted too much to Samoan forbearance even a worm will turn when trod upon. When the result of the fight was known the greatest excitement prevailed in Apia. People were anxious to know what action the Germans would take next. On the following day "the Adler went out for the purpose oi' bombarding Laulii.. which place is Mataafa's headquarters. The U.S.S. Nipsic got up steam and went out about three hours afterwards, and also went to Laulii to see what was going on there. H.M.'s Royalist, which, by the way, relieved the Lizard hero, also got up steam, but remained a fixture in the harbour. Her captain, pursuing the policy of non-interfering with German action, ancl no doubt thought he was safer from complications by remaining in Apia harbour and reporting from hearsay than iii going to the scene of bombardment and seeing for himself what was taking place. When Captain Mullen of the U.S.S. Nipsic got up' to Laulii he found the three German men-of-war there. They notified him that they intended to bombard Laulii in 30 minutes. When he got this notification he at once despatched an officer to the senior in command of the German fleet to protest, in the name of the United States, on the score of humanity, and in support of the international usages of war, against bombarding a place where women and children were known to be without giving them sufficient notice to enable them to get to a place of safety. The first answer to this message was, "We are going to bombard in half-an-hour." Then they thought better of it, and told the American officer to inform his captain that they would delay shelling the place till next morning. " I need scarcely say that when the morning came there was no one there to shell, so they had the pleasure and satisfaction of knocking down and binning the houses without any risk to themselves. I believe the first house burned was j one with the British flag flying in front of it. ■, In connection with the shelling and burning of Laulii, I may mention that the whole ,of tlia village is held by Messrs. Win.

•-* --•■ IttcArthur and Co., on a mortgage which has not, yet been paid off, so in spelling this Iftt?,7 W destroying British securities, if not actual British Property. Previously vhen the Germans threatened to do much toe same thin" the British Consul and the captam of. H ship Lizard told Messrs. McArthur and Co. to place British flags round the property, and went there in the •.Lizard to protest in the strongest manner against the wanton destruction of British securities. In this instance Captain Hand, of the Royalist, was told that the village and land were held as stated above, aud that as Mataafa and his people had cleared away from there, there could be no excuse for destroying the place. Ihe captain of the Royalist, however, took a different view of the matter, and refused to take any action to protect the property. Had Mataafa's warriors been in the village then, the Germans might have had an excuse for shelling.and Captain Hand for not protesting, but his refusing to take any action in the matter virtually condemned the action taken by the captain of the Lizard on a previous occasion. I do not think this was a judicious thing to do in the face of such highhanded action as the Germans have taken here lately." Captain Hand seems to have rather peculiar ideas as to his responsibility to protect property in Samoa. His answer was, I hear, to people who went to enquire what protection ho would extend to them in the event of the German action causing a disturbance in the town, that if they considered their lives were in danger, to come on board the Royalist, and Informed them that he did not consider himself in any way bound to protect their property. Rather a poor assurance to men who may have their all invested in a country having treaty rights with their own. The captain of the United States ship Nipsic was prepared to act rather differently towards the citizens of the United States of America resident here. I think it was a pity a ship was sent here that had just come from the coast of Africa, where the people are apparently looked upon and treated as negroes and beachcombers. Twelve months on the ■ colonial station will take a little of the starch out of them, and teach them to appreciate their surroundings a little more than they evidently do. What a contrast between the Royalist and the Calliope and Lizard ! Mataafa's people have withdrawn from Laulii, and have taken up a strong position behind Apia, and just outside what has hitherto been considered as neutral territory. Now that it is a war with the Germans there are strong indications that many of Tamasese's men, if not all, will come in and join Mataafa. It may then become a war of colour.

A great scare took place the other day when it was made known by prclamation (a copy of which I enclose) that the German Consul had ordered Mataafa's people to give up their arms, and that the refusal to comply would be punished by the shelling and burning of the village of "Matafazatele, a village about two ano a-half miles from Apia. People* knew that Matafa's people would not give up their arms, and a rumour had spread that Mataafa had said that if the Germans burned his villages he would retaliate by destroying German property. When the Olga went out to shell Matafaeatele people were very much afraid that Mataafa's people would rush the town and burn the warehouses of the big German firms and probably all other property. This feeling got very much stronger when large numbers of armed natives were seen within 200 yards of the town with their war-paint on, and evidently ready and anxious for a tight. The stores were nearly all closed, and all the women and children sent on board their respective country's vessels. I assure you a very anxious day and night was passed by most people here. About six o'clock in the evening an event took place which might have led to very serious consequences. It appears that the Germans are seizing and searching all the Samoan boats that come into the harbour. About the time I have mentioned a boat with a few unarmed Samoans in it came from a place called Matautu, and went into the Vaisegugu river at a place where there is a ferry established. An armed boat from the Eber, seeing this boat, at once came after it, and when about 150 yards from the boat, fired two shots in the air. They then tired two volleys straight at the boat, and straight across the thoroughfare. One shot passed quite close to the ferryman, and another passed over the head of Captain Hand, of H.B.M. ship Royalist, who, with his second lieutenant, was passing at the time. The captain was justly indignant at such an outrageous act being perpetrated in neutral territory. He at once went to the senior German captain and demanded an explanation. The German captain apologised on his own ship, and then came on board the Britisher and apologised again. The officer in charge of the boat's crew who tired also came on board the Royalist and apologised. He said that he tired on his own responsibility. He forgot that he had stated the evening before in the boat, when Captain Hand asked him what he meant by firing across a public thoroughfare, that he was acting on his captain ! 3 orders. He could not have been telling the truth both times. I do not think a British officer would be asked to stultify himself in this way to screen a superior, and if he were, I am sure he would not do it for anv man. 'ihe proclamation I have sent you is a very edifying document. It commences, as you will see, by expressing a wish that Samoans may be prosperous and happy, and the way to reach that heavenly state is to give up their arms to the Germans. What an idea ? It could only have emanated from a German Consul. After the German commercial houses supply these people with arms and ammunition the German Government step in and want to take them away from them .gain. The German commercial houses, in the meantime, stick to the land and copra these poor people have paid for these guns, and the German Government will no doubt stick to their guns, if they can get them. Probably they may want to re-sell them again, as I hear they are now doing_ with the uuns they took from the natives of Pleasant Island. I have been informed that the German warship Eber disarmed the people of that island and brought the arms down here, and are selling them to Tamasese's people. So you see the whole thing is a profitable " spec " for Germany. If their motive is to disarm the Samoans for the purpose of preventing civil war, then why not call in the assistance of the British and American men-of-war, and commence with Tamasese's people, just to show that there is no treachery meant. The Samoans might understand the British Government wishing to disarm them, for Britishers have never sold them any guns, but think it very strange that the Germans should first sell them the gun 3, getting their land and copra for them, and then take them back again without any return, except the Consul's promise of prosperity aLd happiness. The Samoans say they prefer death with their guns in their hands to life under the conditions the Germans would impose upon them if disarmed. December 28. A rumour became current yesterday that the Royalist wae about to leave Samoa. This appeared such an astonishing proceeding in such a crisis as this, that a public meeting of residents wa3 called, who unanimously passed a strong resolution against the Royalist leaving Samoa when the lives and property of British residents are in imminent danger, on account of the neutral territory secured to the citizens by Admiral Fairfax being now disregarded at least by the Germans. There are over 5000 armed natives in the immediate neighbourhood of Apia, who through the foolish actions of , the Germans may get exasperated and come down upon the town at any minute. No doubt they would go for the Germans first, but when their blood got up they would not be likely to care whether he was a German or an Englishman so long as he was a white man. With such surroundings you may imagine the feelings of the Britisher when they heard that the Koyalist was going. Captain Hand has withdrawn his guard from the Consulate, and has told the British Consul that he does not consider a British ship of war any longer necessary here. I hear that he would like to take up the position or rather assume the functions of both consul and captain of the man-of-war. Our Consul has certainly behaved in the most praiseworthy manner in the trying|position in which he has been placed. He maintains, without fear or favour, that aii independent honourable course in political matters should always be pursued by the British representative here. The meeting I have spoken of passed a resolution _ thanking him for the action he had taken in the past to secure their safety, and expressing confidence in and proffering support to him in any future steps he might deem it necessary to take for the same purpose. Now that there is a British and an American man-of-war here, it does seem strange that the German Consul and German warship are allowed to act as if Germany had a protectorate over the island. The war they declared on Malietoa has long since ceased, and although they acknowledge Tamasese, that gives them no right to force him on the people when nearly four-fifths of the whole population are against him. Without some secret treaty with Britain about Samoa, Germany would not dare to act as she has done. If such an agreement does exist, why not come boldly forward and admit it instead of adopting the cowardly course of trying to throw dust in the eyes of the United States and the colonies by pretending to take an independent course, when their whole action for the last two years shows that they have made secret arrangements with Germany that they are now afraid to acknowledge.

GERMAN PROCLAMATION. The following is a copy of the proclamation referred to by our correspondent:— " My opinion of the way by which Samoa will get happy again is as follows;—

Ihe difficulties and misfortunes have arisen in Samoa because there are so many nrearms on the island. Therefore, I order : The warriors in Tanumamanono, and Apia, and Matautu, and Lelepa, and Matafagatele and Taleata have to bring their arms to-day on board the German man-of-war in the harbour of Matafagatele. When a red flag will be hoisted on the top of the foremast of the man-of-war, this will be the sign to bring your arms on board the man-of-war in your boats, which may hoist a white flag. " When the arms will be delivered, Samoa will live and prosper. " But when one hour has passed after the red flag being hoisted, and you have not begun with bringing the arms on board the man-of-war, the latter will fire into tho village of Matafagatele. " I hope you will obev mv order. (Signed) " Dr. Knappe, I.G.C. "Apia, 21st Docember, ISSS." PUBLIC MEETING. At a meeting of British residents, held at the Tiyoli Hall, on December 27, 1888, Mr. Trood in the chair, the following resolutions were unanimously carried :— Proposed by Mr. Fletcher (manager for MoArthur and Co.), seconded by Mr. Mabin, " That this meeting hears with regret and alarm the report that H.B.M. ship Royalist is about to leave Samoa while the lives and property of British subjects in Apia are in imminent danger, on account of the neutral territory secured to the citizens by Admiral Fairfax being now disregarded." Proposed by Mr. Gurr, and seconded by Mr. GaiTuthers, "That this meeting desires to express its appreciation of tho energetic and able manner in which Colonel de Coetlogon has endeavoured to protect British life and property during the present crisis in Samoa; also, thtit this meeting pledges itself to support our Consul in any further stops that lie may deem necessary to take." Proposed bv Mr. Mabin, and seconded by Mr. Allen, " 'that a deputation, consisting of Messrs. Gurr, Fletcher, and Dean, be appointed to wait upon the British Consul, and present the foregoing resolutions." The following resolution was also passed : — Proposed by Mr. Bell, and seconded by Mr. Lodge, " That, if it be true that H.B.M. ship Royalist is going to leave Apia harbour, this meeting sign a protest against it, as there is no place in the South Pacific station where one or more of Her Majesty's ships -aro more required at present than here." ANOTHER ACCOUNT. [from a correspondent.] The Mariposa brings important nows. There have been stirring times at Samoa, the Germans having assumed the offensive aud wantonly attacked Mataafa's people. The Samoa Times, December 22nd, contains particulars of severe fighting between the Germans and Mataafa's adherents, resulting in the defeat of the Germans. In the action, the Germans lost heavily in proportion to the number engaged. They had buried twenty men up to the 21st December, including Lieutenant Sieger of the Olga, and there arc thirty wounded in the ships hospitals, includiug one officer. The Samoan National party lost ten men and had thirtv wounded. They were brought into Apia. The surgeon of the Nipsic has been assiduous in his attendance on the wounded, having established a hospital on shore for that purpose. There arc three German warsliips at Apia —the corvette Olga, and the gunboats Adler and Eber; also H.B.M's. ship Royalist, Captain Hand, and the U.S. ship Nipsic, Captain Mullau. It appears that the German Consul-General, Dr. Knappe_, having decided upon an aggressive policy, in concert with the Commander of the German Imperial ships, notified the English and American commanders that the Germans proposed to go to Saluafata for the purpose ot ending the war between Mataafa and Tamasese in a peaceful manner. The officers took no steps in the matter. They did not even take the precaution to proceed to the point indicated and watch proceedings, supposing that pacific measures were intended. The Eber had already taken up a position at Saluafata, and the Olga steamed out of the harbour to ioin her on the ISth December, towing two hundred of Tamasese's soldiers in boats to a point nearer Mataafa's position. The Olga returned to Apia, and after anchoring, the German Consul-General paid his first official visit to the Royalist, although she had been in harbour a fortnight. On the 18ch December, the Olga again steamed to Saluafata, and a force of eighty sailors were landed by her at Matautu, while 40 more were sent in boats along the coast. The shore party marched to meet Mataafa. When they arrived at Vailili, the German firm's plantation, Mr. Hufuagel, the superintendent, armed the imported labourers from New Britain, and leading them in person reinforced the Olga's men. Mataafa was thus between the 200 men who came down the previous day and the Germans and plantation blacks. Mataafa's force retreated a short distance inland, being reluctant to fire upon the Germans, fearing the consequences. The sailors followed, firing into the retiring party. A young man, son of a chief, was killed, and his father was shot dead whilst being forcibly restrained from returning the fire. This bronght on the struggle. The nationalists re- ' turned the Germans' fire, killing six and wounding several. Some of Tamasese's men ran, and the labour men from the German plantation refused to fight. The Germans then sought safety in flight, pursued by Mataafa's men. Fortunately for the attacking party the pursuit was not con- ! tinued to the boats, or the loss would have i been far greater. . , • • • ; When the beaten party returned to the ship the Glga began to shell Mataafa's position. Three men were killed and two wounded by a bursting shell. i Having cleared the way to Apia, many of : Mataafa's men came into town to obtain supplies of ammunition aud ascertain what their position was now that they had resisted the Germans. They declare they will never submit to become the slaves of Brandeis and Tamasese.

As Captain Mullan understood that the Germans intended to shell Mataafa's stronghold, he took the Nipsic to Saluafata on the 19th December. He had several conferences with the German commanders, and sent a written protest, as the town was full of womeu and children. In consequence of this notice the bombardment was postponed for twenty hours, and Lieutenant Hawley, of the Nipsic, went ashore, and officially notified Mataafa of the intended action. The Olga bombarded the town, but only the houses were injured. If the original intention of attacking the place on the evening of the 19th had been carried into effect, according to the Germans' notice to the English and American ships, many helpless women and children would have been killed. The Adler also bombarded andburned Mataafa's late residence, but the natives had abandoned the place. It is not known whether the British commander troubled himself in the least about these proceedings. It is hardly likely, however, as he declined to protect British property destroyed during the bombardment oiLaule.on the ground that the interest in the property was that of a mortgagee. Captain Pelly, of H.M.s. Lizard, took a very different view of the case, and while he was at Samoa the Germans did not venture to destroy the property of British subjects. Captain Hand, of the Royalist, offers to protect the lives of Britishers, and many of the wives and children of British subjects were conveyed on board his ship for safety. The men remained ashore to protect their property. Captain Mullan landed a Gatling gun from the Nipsic, which has been placed in position at the United States consulate, and a strong force of men occupies it. Should the Germans land men in Apia, which is neutral territorry, the British and Americans will also land armed parties. A meeting of the Consuls was held on the 20th, which resulted in nothing definite being determined on. The German Consul-General demanded the surrender of Mataafa on board a_ German ship on a verbal guarantee that his life would be spared, also the surrender by his people of their arms to the Germans. No guarantee would be given as to Mataafa's liberty. The English and American Consuls would not approve this action, and after the meeting the Olga steamed round to Matafagatele, and bombarded the place. Thirty shells were thrown inland, and a party wast landed and burned the town. The Germans posted a proclamation demanding the immediate appearance of Mataafa on board a German ship, and the disarming of his soldiers. This demand was communicated to the patriotic leader, who disregarded it, but expressed his readiness to go onjboard an English or American ship, on a guarantee of a safe return to his peorjle. It is understood that the German residents are prepared to go on board their ships for . safety. Mataafa has taken up a position behind Apia, and the Germans must fire over the town to molest him. This would jeopardise 1 all the property in the settlement. All business houses on the west end (Mataf ele) and McArthur and Co.'s store in Apia, are closed. Business is paralysed, life and property have been jeopardised by the proceedings of the 'Germans, and the Samoan people, who derive no protection or benefit from their treaty with England or the United States, are fast drifting into barbarism, and cannot long be restrained from excesses.

It appears that there were 140 Germans, all told, engaged ashore. Mataafa had 4000 and Tamasese about 1700 men. The Germans, however, have undertaken to do the fighting for him, and unless the treaty Powers interfere the result cannot be doubted. Mr. Christienn Johansen, clerk to the German Consulate, is a passenger by the Mariposa to Sydney. He has ueen appointed Consul at the Marshall Group, where the Germans are carrying on with a high hand. No doubt he is thebearer of despatches, and

will probably communicate with the Berlin Government by cable. Approval of the highhanded proceedings above mentioned, if it could be secured Defore the American and i British Governments had an opportunity to protest, is imperative, and doubtless this is part of Mr. Johansen's mission. If Bismarck approved of buccaneering in the South Seas by the Gorman fleet, Lord Salisbury wonld probably recognise the statue quo, while the absurdly strained " Monroe doctrine" might cause Secretary Bayard to " hunt his hole" and draw the Stars and Stripes in after him. As Lieutenant Hawley is also on board the Mariposa, it is probable that he is instructed to communicate with Washington by cable. This would put the Sccrotary of State in possession of the facts as speedily as practicable, and should lead_ to a protest from Washington which Bor lin might need. Public sentiment in the Eastern States has been aroused over Samoa, and Consul-General Sewell was summoned from San Francisco to Washington to give evidence before a Senate committee on the subject, although ho had taken passage by the Mariposa. Secretary Bayard has also sent a strong remonetrance to the German Minister.

The Nipsic and Adler were at Tutuila on the arrival of the Mariposa, but no sign of the Royalist was visible. She was snug at Apia, content to watch and wait the pleasure, good or bad, of the Germans. The only hope of rousing public opinion in England is through the press agency. To show the arrogance of the Gormans, a recent incident may be mentioned. An armed boat from one of their ships approached the shore with the design of cutting out a boat that was moored in a creek at a point between the American and English Consulates. Contrary to agreement, and in reckless disregard of life, they tired several shots across the road, of course on neutral territory. Presently two gentlemen appeared close to the line of fire, who happened to be Captain Hand, of the Royalist, and one of his officers. The Germans ceased firing, but they carried away the boat, and with hatchets cut up the bottom and lining. Captain Hand returned to his ship, and demanded an explanation and restoration of the boat, as she belonged to a British subject. The boat was turned adrift and went on the rocks, but the officer in charge of the firing party was sent with an apology, and a statement to tho effect that he had fired on his own responsibility and in disobedience of orders. This officer had previously stated that he acted in accordance with orders, which cannot be doubted. It is said that Captain Hand has declared that he will fire on any armed boat which attempts to land on the neutral zone.

The British colony was excited by the announcement that the Rovalist was about to sail for Fiji. A memorial was addressed to Captain Hand, on the 29th December, requesting him not to leave British subjects without protection. The London missionary agents likewise wrote calling his attention to the valuable property of the Mission which would be liable to destruction in the event of the warship leaving Samoa. Under this pressure he remained.

If England consents to a German protectorate in Samoa, she deserves to suffer for her cowardice, and doubtless will do so in time coming, because Samoa is the key to the Panama Caual in the South Pacific. A strong Power holding this group of islands would have the Australian and Now Zealand trade at its mercy. THE GERMAN VERSION. A full account of the affair, from a German Soint of view, has been received by Mr. [ermann Brown, the German Consul,who has courteously placed it at our disposal. Owing to pressure on our space, caused by mail news, it is impossible to give the report in extenso, but the following is tho gist of it. The account opens by referring to the bad effects of reports that the German warships had strict orders not to interfere with Mataafa and goes on to say:—"The effects of the reports above-mentioned had bad influence, and for some weeks the rebels have behaved worse than before. German property has been destroyed; the house of a German citizen has been torn down; his boat also was destroyed; his pigs were killed. When the German drew the attention of the rebels to the German flag, hoisted over his'property, they laughed him to scorn. When the Olga had beon two days in Apia, and made no signs of any action against the rebels— Mataafa party—the provocations and insults against the Germans were greater and more marked than ever before. A fanatic halfcaste, who is under American protection, provoked a quarrel with German sailors of the warships, on leave on the evening of tho 10th December, and at the same moment, when he and his companions commenced the attack, the Samoans who were concealed at the back of the premises opened a volley of stones at the German sailors—even several shots were fired, of which one wounded a sailor in the hand."

After some inquiry into these matters by the German Consul, it was decided to request the natives of both parties to give up their arms. The H.I.G.M.s. Adler accordingly went to Laulu, Mataafa's position, and on the same day a landing party from the Olga went to the German plantation Vailele " to protect it from a disorderly retreat of the rebels to 'Apia." An American citizen was with Mataafa, and on his advice the natives opposed the landing of the Germans. In the words of the report :—" The Samoans drew the American's attention to the delicate and critical situation they would be placed in if they should attack the German sailors on German land without provocation or the slightest reason. He soon overcame their arguments, and commanded the Manono natives to go to their war canoes and to attack the Germans at once."

On landing Mataafa's troops opened fire, and " under a shower of bullets the Germans forced a landing on German property and took their way to the German plantation station, Fagalii, the ■whole place being German land." The same thing was done at Vailele. "Heretofore it has never been in the history of Samoa that the natives have ever ventured to fight against European Powers, and also the malicious and cunning nature of the attack is not at all in accordance with the Samoan character. Only the influence of their American adviser, who will not be held responsible by his Government, could have induced the natives to bring themselves into the position they have now arrived at." Seventy men landed at Fagalii, and fought their way to their comrades at Vailele. " The road they had to travel was one English mile, which they succeeded in forcing by three rushes ana three hurrahs." The united forces numbered 140 men, and under the command of Captain-Lieutenant Jackel " took up a covered position near the station-house 01 the Vailele plantation, and here these heroes had to stand the murderous fire of at least fifteen hundred natives for another two hours, some of whom were firing at them from the tops of the cocoanut trees. The sailors behaved like lions, although the three officers were incapable of command. Lieutenant Sieger was shot dead. Leutenants Spengler and Burghardt were wounded." Eventually the men-of-war, Eber and Adler, appeared and landed reinforcements, the Samoans being repulsed and disordered to Apia. " Now nothing else had to be done but destroy the Samoan villages of Vailele and Letoga to the ground. It is a pity that the victox'y cost too dear. Fifteen men were killed and thirty-seven wounded, besides officers. The poor fellows who were wounded in the advance from Fagalii to Vailele were savagely attacked, ana their heads cut off while still alive; one man being slightly wounded in the leg only. The natives then held a war dance round the heads of these brave men, whom they had so cruelly murdered. " Such are the severe results from this disgraceful attack. It is impossible to understand why, after this melancholy catastrophe, an American official has openly supported and encouraged the rebels. " The commander of the U.S.s. Nipsic (Mullan) appeared on the scene in the afternoon. He, accompanied by several of his officers, went on board the German flagship, and it is supposed that he wished to protest (against what we are unable to say). After that he went on shore to the headquarters of Mataafa."

"Meanwhile the excitement and anxiety among the whites in Apia was frightful, B,n attack on the town being anticipated, although the town and its environs had been declared neutral territory by Tamasese and Mataafa in the beginning of October. Women and children were taken on board the war ships and other vessels in harbour for protection. The men armed themselves, and with a few exceptions stayed on shore to protect their property. Tne war at Samoa has caused the influx of a number of beachcombers, who are only waiting an opportunity to enrich themselves at anyone's expense, and whoso presence in Apia forms a more dangerous element to the citizens than the worst of the Samoans." On the 19th the Germans buried their dead. " It seemed to be universally considered a right that only German residents should have the honour to take the coffins to the grave." On the 21st, the German Consul issued a proclamation requesting the natives to lay down their arms. As they did not do so, the Olga bombarded Matafagatele, n Early in October the English Admiral Fairfax agreed to enforce a neutral boundary, but now the English Consul will not use his influence to have the said boundary observed, and openly expresses himself in favour of the rebels. He also requires the strongest guarantees for the safety and property of the said rebels from the German Consul. Luckily the English Consul is always in open opposition with the commander of H.I.M.s. Alert, the latter being quite independent of the first. Captain Hand has promised his assistance as soon as the neutrality ofv Apia should be violated.

This is the state of affairs up to to-day. Both whites and Samoans are anxious to know what will be the final result. The next movement must be a forward oine. It is impossible to go back to the old state of things. The action already commanded by Germany must be carried (through to a successful termination. The rebels would have given themselves up long ago, if it were not —disgraceful to state —in consequence o£ the malicious encouragement and interference of the irresponsible subjects of America and England, of whom, unfortunately, Samoa contains too many. The following fact is the best illustration of the present situation: —On Christmas Day an American schooner arrived in Apia harbour, and it was wellknown she brought fresh supplies of ammunition for an American firm. The Gorman Consul requested the American Consul to seize the ammunition, offering at the same time to pay the full amount of the value, to aaye further bloodshed. It is a pity that this offer was made in vain. It is said that Mr. Blacklook declared that the American law did not allow him to interfere in any way with the disposal of any goods of an American citizen; and this is how the rebels received a further supply of another 35,000 cartridges."

The Mariposfli brought official despatches from Captain Hand, of H.M.s. Royalist, to Admiral Fairfax, giving dotails of the war, and the news was then cabled to the Admiralty at Home. Nothing is yet known of any steps that Admiral Fairfax may intend taking in the matter, further than that the Royalist will remain at Samoa till replaced by another man-of-war. Lieutenant Hawley, or the American man-of-war Nipsic, came to Auckland by the Mariposa, to telegraph an account of the affair to nis Government, and a similar communication to the German Government has been made by Mr. Hermann Brown, who received despatches brought from Samoa by Mr. Johansen.