STARTLING NEWS FROM SAMOA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 810, 9 September 1887, Page 19

STARTLING NEWS FROM SAMOA.

(united press association.) Auckland, September 7. The s.s. Wainui arrived from Suva this morning. She reports that a schooner had arrived at Suva from Samoa with the intelligence that the German Government had proclaimed Tamasese King of Samoa. Four German men-of-war were lying there, and had landed 1300 men. Messrs Sewall, the American Consul, and Wilson, the British Consul, had issued a proclamation to the effect that their Governments do not and never had recognised Tamasese as King of Samoa, but continue to recognise Malietoa, and advise the Samoans to submit quietly to wbat they cannot help, and not to fight, but to wait patiently the result of the deliberations.

LATER PARTICULARS. Intelligence has been received here that on the morning of September 2nd, a schooner arrived at Suva, from Samoa, bringing startling news. It appears that at Samoa, on the German Emperor’s birthday, there was a general “drunk,” and a free fight took p ace, in which some Germans were assaulted by the Samoans. The German squadron came in, and the German mail steamer Lubeck left on 23rd August. Immediately after she left the German consul demanded 13,000 dollars from King Malietoa, 1000 dollars being for assault and the rest for Samoan robberies from German plantations. King Malietoa replied that he could not pay on so short a notice, bub would call his chiefs together next day. Five hundred men were landed from the German warships with Gatling guns, and made a declaration of war against Malietoa as follows : Citizens of Apia,—By order of His Majesty Emperor of Germany war has been declared against Chief Malietoa. Neutrality of the municipal district will be respected as long as the security of the German troops is not endangered by any agitation with the munipal districts. I call upon the inhabitants to assist in the maintenance of peace and good order in Apia. (Signed) Hensult, Commodore and Commander of the German squadron. The Germans have proclaimed Tamasese king, and hoisted his flag and fired a royal salute. When the vessel left the opposing forces were preparing to fight. Malietoa musters 1000 men, and hostilities are expected to commence at once. The BritishConsulisabsentthroughill-health. The American Consul has called on all American and British subjects to place themselves and their property under his care, advising them to take care not to provoke the German troops, as he has not force sufficient at hand to protect them. Mr Sewell, the American Consul, and Mr Wilson, the acting British Consul, have issued proclamations that their Governments do not and never have recognised Tamasese as King or Samoa, but continue, as heretofore, to recognise Malietoa. The schooner which arrived at Suva brings iirgeat demands for a British man-of-war, bat there Is not one in Fiji, H.M.S. Swinger having left the previous day. Four German men of war are lying in Apia, and have lauded 1300 troops and marines.