THE PERIL OF THE KING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1404, 26 January 1899, Page 29

THE PERIL OF THE KING.

FIERCE FIGHTING IN THE STREETS. ACTION TAKEN BY A BRITISH CAPTAIN. When it was apparent that the followers of Malietoa had been outnumbered, Malietoa sought refuge in the 1 ivoli Hotel, where there were a large number of foreigners. The captain of H.M.S. Porpoise ordered all to go at once to the Mission House under pro- •

tection of a British guard. The King was left in the hotel ui n two faithful followers, who decline) to take bheiter in the im siou compound. The Tivoli Hotel was immediately surioumied by tho rebels, clamouring for the bloo.i of the King A heavy fusillade coniine d all rpund. The rebels were slightly diiv -n back, but still commanded the roa i which led to the Tivoli and the road In mi ic. Ju the face of the le'oel guns t'njtam Siurdee and ] the British Consul (Mr Maxse) heroically I rescued the King from the hotel and brought him to the mine-ion ground, placing him under the protection of the British flag. Immediately following there was heavy firing all around the Mission House, and Lieutenant GauiU, with his brave men—tho very essence of coolness—stood ready to defend the King, the Chief Justice and about 500 people (foreigners, | native women and children), who were shut up in the Mission House. Mataafa’s people completely surrounded the town and desuitoiy firing continued throughout tho night. They also held the beach. At 7 p m. Lb ufenanc Gaunt gallantly escorted King Malietoa from the Mission House to the beach,[passing within 50yds of Mataafa’s outposts. While a dingy wasbeingjlaunch d by two Britishers Lieutenant Gaunt hell the wharf to repel any attack from the iel.els should a rush be made to captuie the King. Malietoa safely embarked upon the Porpm'so, and is now there with Tamas -m, the Vice-King, under the protection < f Great Britain. During the night Malietoa’s forces, having to a large extent i un out of ammunition, and feeling keenly I no treachery that had been shown towards them 1 y men whom they trusted, and knowing that the Mataafa people were well supplied with ammunition, made up thmr minds to call upon the British Consul to endeavour to effect a settlement. They offered to give up their arms to the British authorities. S >tne swam off to the Porpoise and begged L eufenant Parker, who was in command, to allow them to seek shelter under the British guns until morning. This Lieutenant Parker permitted them to do, and over 1200 came off in the first boats they could reach. Many could not get boats :nl swam off with their guns and knives. Lieutenant Parker allowed th.-ss to go on heard on condition that they handed in th ir guns. PERILOUS POS r i lON OF 1 HE REFUGEES. Morning came and a gale began to blow,. a strong swell setting in. The Samoans who had been fighting, and had been exposed all night, were in a perilous situation, as their boats were in momentary danger of being smashed up. L'eutenant Parker and ail on board did what they could to ameliorate the rofugees’ sufferings, and in order to lighten the boats moored to the ship many were allowed to go on board. It was finally agreed that upon the surrender of the loyal troops no lives would be taken and no bodily harm inflicted upon them. At G p.m. the captain of the Porpoise went off to the 'ship and announced that all, except Malietoa and Tamasese and sever il other chiefs, whose lives could not be deemed safe, were to go ashore. The people asked to be deported anywbeie rattier than go ashore, but the whole situation depended on strict compliance with the agreement Captain Sturdee had made, and in obedience to his wishes the people willingly submitted. The British Consul and Captain Sturdee had decided to make the London Mission House a rendezvous for the British and Americans who required protection, and a

j large number of while residents took adj vantage of the protoed'h afforded. Very i frequently the si'iMtmn was critical, j and had it not- been for the ' great caution and judgment exercised | by Captain Sturdteauu . ieutenant Gaunt, I very serious results might have followed, j At an early stage < f the fighting, when j the firing was very ii -rce, the captain and a nother officer of t lie German warship j Falke availed thems. vrs of the shelter of 1 the Mission House. | Owing to the fact < hat Judge Chambers j and the Misses Chambers had been kept l in a constant star-, of alarm by exagI gerated reports, the Chief Justice found it necessary to go with iiis family on board , the Porpoise on Tue- hiy. Consul-General Osborne also sent Mrs Osborne and his son on board the m . u of-uar at about the same time. GENERAL LOOTI G AND DESTRUCt: n. ; Tiie native part r.i V "is. presents a heart--1 rending spectacle. Nearly every house ; has been burned 1-. tho ground. Food plantations have b m uprooted and cut I down, and almost ml the men have been sent into exile. A irmly most of the villages round Apia, and even throughout the province, have been d- stroyed. All the ! towns in the large and populous Falialili ' district have been hi > n«l down, and hardly : a mat remains for t... women andchildren to lie on. The poor creatures will feel the loss of their houses sully during the rest of the rainy season. I MOVEMENT; OF WARSHIPS. A lceland, January 17. It is stated hen- that three English I warships are to go horn the Australian | squadron to Samor. i It is also rumour-I Ihat an American : warship is to leave II n lulu for the same place. OPINIONS OF AN ISLAND MISSIONARY. j COMMENTS OF THE SYDNEY PRESS. | Sydney, January 19. j Both the morning papers have leaders commenting on the serious development in Samoa, and condemnatory of the action of the Germans, and urging that it is necessary that them bo prompt interference on the part of the Powers concerned to permanently settle the trouble. The opinion is expressed here that the German Consul has taken action to bring matters to a head bociuso of tho manner in which German, and American interests are clashing. In other parts of the world as well as in Samoa the Americans have actively aroused the jealousy of the Germans, who fear that the United States will obtain the predominant interest in Samoa. The Rev George Brown, secretary of the Wesleyan Foreign Missionary Society, considers that the Samoan incident will prove beneficial in that it will show the world that the tripartite control is absolutely useless. Either one Power must annex the group or a system of selfgovernment by the natives under the protectorate of one of the three Powers be instituted. POSSIBLE VISIT OF THE ADMIRAL. Sydney, January 19. Captain Gibson, who is in charge of

naval affairs here during the Admiral’s absence, states that a request has been received from Captain Sturdee for an additional warship at Samoa. Possibly the Admiral, with the flagship Royal Arthur may go, accompanied by another vessel, but nothing is yet known officially on the point. APPLICATIONS FOR WARSHIPS. Auckland, January 19. The German and American Consuls were yesterday busy receiving communications from Samoa, and transmitting them by cable to their respective Governments. It is reported that cable messages to Washington and Berlin cost between £2OO and £3OO. The British Consul at Samoa has also sent to London, and has asked that additional men-o’-war should be despatched to Apia. H.M.S. Tauranga will probably be ordered thero at once, and it is possible Admiral Pearson will go down from Sydney. OPINIONS ON SAMOA. London, January 19. The “ Daily News ” B*ys that the difficulty must be settled. The Treaty Powers Act, it says, has been an absolute failure. The “ Times” says the only satisfactory feature of the Samoan trouble was the cordial Anglo-American co-operation. ADMIRAL PEARSON INTERVIEWED. FUTURE PROCEEDINGS UNCERTAIN. m, , ~ Hobart, January 20. ihe Australian squadron is now in this port, and Admiral Pearson has been interviewed in reference to the Samoan disturbance. His Excellency said the press knew as much about the trouble as he did. He had TT C vr V c d despatches from the captain of JA.M.b. I orpoise, but there was nothing to disclose. He could not say whether the disturbance was likely to assume a serious international aspect. The Samoan trouble had been simmering for a long time. Perhaps it would now be settled, and perhaps not. He could not say at present whether there would be any naval demonstration in Samoan waters. Possibly British warships would be sent. It was also likely that the United States would now send one. H.M.S. Tauranga sailed last night for New Zealand to replace the warship sent thence to Samoa. The other ships of the squadron are hastening with their coaling operations. & +l that has sailed is probably e Mildura, as the Tauranga is now in New Zealand waters, and is understood to be ordered to Samoa.] OPINIONS OF GERMAN RESIDENTS IN SYDNEY. „ Sydney, January 20. Ihe leading German residents here are ot opinion that only one side of the Samoan trouble has been told in the tW 6gr r S - . Th ? y incli ne to the opinion that when private letters arrive a different complexion will be placed on the conflict. The German Consul, they say be ti n ma a -° f l epute >. ? n d not likely to be placed m the position represented in the cable messages. The German residents generally condemn the joint control ?[ the group, and one of them suggests the dividing of the islands amongst tho mterested as a way out of tho

GERMANY’S DENIAL. DESPATCH OF.A’BRITISH CRUISER. Berlin, January 20. Germany has declared that she is satisfied with the Samoan treaty, and has denied encouraging tho rcbe lion. Washington, January 20. The cruiser Philadelphia is about to Start from California ter Samoa to cooperate with Great Britain in the maintenance of the treaty. The authorities at Washington fear there will be trouble before Dr Raffil, President of the Provisional Government, is restrained. INTERVIEW WITH MR W. L. REES. Gisborne, January 20. Mr W. L. Rees, who acted a 3 legal advisor to tho late King Maiietoa in 1886, when the Germans attempted tne annexation of Samoa, and subsequently visited Washington on the late King Malietoa’s behalf when the latter had been carried away captive, has been interviewed r on behalf of the “ Poverty Bay Herald.” He states that he saw President Cleveland and the late Mr Bayard, and the latter personally assured him that he might tell Maiietoa that the Americans would never permit Germany to annex Samoa. England might take Samoa at a day’s notice, bnt the United States would rot permit a Continental Power to come into the Southern Pacific and take a position that would interfere with the trade lines upon the ocean. The American plenipotentiary at the Berlin Lonforence was instructed to specifically state that the annexation of ISamoa by Germany would be held as equivalent to » declaration of war. Berlin, January 22. It is considered probable that a conference will bo held in Berlin to settle the present Satnoan difficulty. 'The German newspapers, in commenting on the conflict bdtween the followers of Maiietoa and Mataafa, complain of the attitude taken up (in the absence of adequate information) by the American arid English press with regard to Dr K-iffel, the 0 msul-G-meral, who, in company with the German Consul, is reported to havo closed 1 he Supreme Court buildings and made a declaration that the Provisional Government was vested in himself and his associate. Auckland, J mnary 21. Among the nassengers by the Moana for Apia is the United Slates Consul, who goes in connection with the trouble at Samoa. Washington, January 23. The German Ambassador has informed Colonel John Hay (the Secretary of State) that if the actions attributed to the German Consul at Apia and to Dr Raffel aro proved, they will be disavowed, and the offenders punished. Berlin, January 23. Tbo German cruiser Cormorant has been ordered to proceed to Samoa. The German press adopts a moderate tone, and suggests that the Ambassadors of Britain and America at Berlin should settle the dispute with Herr von Bulow, the German Minister for Foreign Affairs. SPECIAL ACCOUNT OF THE FIGHTING. BEHEADING OF SLAUGHTEREE i WARRIORS. THREATS OF BRITISH INTERFERENCE. THE FINAL SETTLEMENT. To His Grace Archbishop Redwood we are indebted for a very full and interesting account of the trouble in Samoa, and the causes that led up to it. This has been prepared by a resident of Samoa whose knowledge and impartially are tui y vouched for; and apart from its value as giving a different version from that which has come from other sources, it,s description of the eventful week s doi gfrom 31st December last down to the bth of January i 3 particularly vivid and realistic. The account, which we gm, exactly as received, is as follows: - Shortly after the return of the grout chief Mataafa, the strugglo for the vacant kingship began, 6 ul f e . f n H . Of candidates being in hlio fieia. was soon very apparent that Mataara < •-> far in the lead, ho having the support oi all the principal high chiefs and or the better part of the white population. Upon his return from Jaluit to Samoa it had been d3cmed necessary to somewhat

restrict his movements, and for this reason he was made to give his word <>f honour that he would not remove from Mulinuu (a suburb of Apia) until such time as the Consuls were willing to cancel his parole.

About the beginning of October one ol this chief’s friends, who was duly authorised, applied to the different authorities here that Mataafa be granted still more liberty, and in replying the Chief Justice closed his letter with the following re-marks:-—“ln lnet I am much occupied in telling people that I have nothing to do with the: Chief Mataafa, he having the same right to aspire to the kingship as any other Samoan, anel if tho people elccl him as Maiietoa’s successor in a rightfu' manner and according to tho laws and customs of Samoa, why shouldn’t he have tho offico ? As to his movements I can say nothing, that is a matter absolutely with the Consuls.”

Young Tamasose came up to Apia and engaged a prominent laevyer here to sup port his pretensions, anel as the gentleman ho had engaged controlled temporarily the only newspaper published, this meant more than it would seem to a casual observer.

The family of the late Maiietoa finally brought forward tho former king’s young son, Tanu, who is only some 18 years of age, and who, according to Samoan custom, could not aspire even to his father’s titles until he was a grown man. Tamasese and Tanu (who had also a sort of a lawyer named Gurr) finally con eluded to join forces, so that they might make a better show against the evei growing strength of Mataafa. The scheme was to proclaim Tanu king and Tamasese, regent. Finding themselves far away in the minority, the Tamasese-Tanu party withdrew from Mulinuu, and on the 14th of November Mataafa was duly and properly chosen according to Samoan custom.

A few days later the Tanu-Tamasese party filed an objection at the Supreme Court contesting this election on several grounds. A number of persons who were well posted in Samoan affairs, and whose characters for truth and honesty ought to have had weight, endeavoured to point out to the Chief Justice the folly of listening to such puerile complaints. On the other hand, other persons, bent on deceiving him, and among these some ol tho members of the London Mission Society, worked with might and main to complicate matters. At one time the (jhiel Justice suggested that both parties count their forces under supervision of his Court, the Consuls and captains of warships present. To this proposition the Mataafa party gave their ready assent, but the lawyors for the Tanu-Tamasese section offered so many objections that no agreement was arrived at. At this stage in the proceedings the Chief Justice declared that both sides must sign a formal agreement to recognise his decision before he would undertake to try the case. Believing that this gentleman was thoroughly under missionary influence, and that tho lawyers would trick them, the Mataafa side declined to sign the agreement, and asked the Chief Justice what warrant he had for demanding it. They further declined to appear if lawyers wore to be introduced. Still tho Chief Justice kept demanding this agreement and insisting on the introduction of the lawyers. The trial was set for the 19th of December and was to close and a judgment be rendered on the 29th. On opening the Court the J idge still, without success, insisted upon the agreement so often refused, and when again unable to work his purpose he became very angry. Notwithstanding the continued objections of the natives, lawyers were introduced, and they were compelled to accept the services of Mr Yon Bulow, who knew very little law, but a great deal about native customs. On the one side stood all the high chiefs of Samoa, on the other a few chiefs of lesser note, mostly from the vicinity of Apia. BoL side 3 'examined an equal number of witnesses, but those on tbo one side were men of importance, while those on the other side had no standing at all in the native community and no following to speak of. . Having no confidence in all tho Court, tho Mataafa party mustered near Apia about 6000 troops find the Tanu-Tama-sese party assiduously got together every follower of theirs that could be discovered, both parties anxiously awaiting the result of the trial.

Two days before the expected decision was rendered, some people under Asi (an unimportant chief who had hitherto been known as a disturber) commenced to abandon their village and erect earthworks ckoser up to Apia. To counterbalance this a number of Mataafa people

were sent the following day to occupy a strong position in tho rear cf Apia. Owing to several delays the decision was not rendered until the morning of the 31st when, as expected, Tanu was declared king, and all good Samoans ordered to obey him. In rendering the decision, the Chief Justice declared that lie had no doubt but that Mataafa was the choice of the people, but that he was ineligible because in 1889 be bad defeated the Germans at Vailele, and in framing the Berlin General Act, they wished him for ever barred. Though this wish of theirs was not embodied in the treaty that was ultimately made, the Chief Justice considered that bis election would gravely complicate matters with Germany, though the German representative here declared such would not be the case, and that he certainly preferred Mataafa to any other candidate in the field. Very few of the Mataafa chiefs were present when the decision was rendered, as they were making ready to overthrow it and the Court which could proclaim it. On the Ist of January, before daylight, the Tanu-Tamasese party retreated and abandoned their works in Matafeie (one of the suburbs), taking up a new line at the Mulivai river close to the Catholic Cathedral, the Mataafa party following them closely. At 2 p.m. the advanced guard from the west had approached the Tanu-Tamasese works within 120 yards, and they were allowed to build there a work of even superior strength. At 3 p.m. news was received at this point that all the Mataafa forces were in position, and that a forward movement was in order. From the towers of tho Tivoli Hotel the position of the advancing Mataafaites could roadily be determined by the columns of smoko ascending from the houses they burnt as they came on. Near the Catholic Cathedral both parties were within hail, and each side appeared to desire the other to begin firing first. Now a stalwart Mataafaite would waltz out from behind his fort, cut some capers with his long two-hand knife and challenge the Tanu men to meet him in single combat. Then a Tanu man arrayed in all his savage finery, with an immense red turban, would caper m front of his fort and demand that the other side charge to their death. In the meantime the few whites in the neighbourhood who generally had their families in the cellars were cautiously and curiously watching the whole proceedings from their verandahs, ready to get back into a safe place as soon as a shot was fired. The excitement grew in intensity, when out from the Mataafa side stepped four or five old men in flowing white garments, each carrying a stick about 6 feet long of the thickness of an ordinary cane. When a talk is desired an orator advances, leans on his stick and commands attention. These old fellows boldly advanced to the bridge over the little brook which separated the combatants, and then declared that those who wished to live should come over to their side and surrender their arms, or they would all soon be headless men. While their talk continued the Mataafaites came out from their fort and commenced a slow advance against the thin line of Tanuites who proposed to defend their entrenchments. Finally one red turbaned man, then another, was seen to run across the bridge and surrender himself and gun to his white turbaned foe, who kept advancing while the old men kept declaring that life was safe only for those who now surrendered to their rightful king, the great Chief Mataafa, the pride of their raco, who would forgive their crookedness and receive them again as erring children. Suddenly with a rush the Tanu works were carried and several hundreds of Mataafaites marched up the main street, not a shot having yet been fired. All the prisoners were disarmed and ordered to proceed at once to Mulinuu. Several whose perjuries in the Court had given great offence came very near losing their heads on this eventful journey of theirs. At the Tivoli road the Mataafaites turned inland to meet their own friends advancing from the south and hero they captured Tuisamoa, a chief of some considerable note, who gave up his arms and surrendered. Suddenly a shot was fired olose at hand and with a rush the main body of the Tanu party emerged from among the bread-fruit trees and native houses just at the back of tho Tivoli Hotel, and though they were less in numbers than the Mataafa neoole they boldly commenced their attack with a rush which sent the Mataafaites back to the first entrenchment they could find. Several persons were killed and wounded in this encounter and immediately the battle became general, volley firing being heard in Matautu and Motootua, A number of whites

who thought that a general surrender was about to take place were mixed up with the natives before the skirmish began and they were very fortunate in getting behind the Tivoli Hotel without By y this time it was nearly dark, and tho line of burning dwellings was getting painfully close to the Tanu people, whose wounded were being carried into the London Mission House to be guarded by marines from the Porpoise and attended by the surgeon.from that vessel. During tho retreat of the Mataafaites two of their number, braver perhaps than the rest, entrenched themselves behind some stones on the beach in front of the and there gave battle to many of the red turbaned men who were better sheltered. Seeing themselves about to be taken both dropped their guns and put for the sea, swimming with all their strength with perhaps twenty men firing at them. Soon one cf the poor fellows was hit before he got beyond the shallows of the inshore reefs. The other managed to get out of range and back to bis comrades near the Cathedral. Without more ado the wounded or dead man on the reef was beheaded and the ghastly trophy carried ashore in triumph. At dark, little firing was being done. The Tanuites were withdrawing and concentrating towards their boats and the Mataafaites were following them slowly up. During the night it rained heavily with thunder and lightning. Only a few shots were fired. At 2 a.m. the Tanuites launched most of their boats and fled to the British warship for protection. Some sixtv of their principal men slipped into the London Mission House behind the line of British sailors, there to lie concealed during the following day. At daylight a general rush was made by the Mataafa forces and had the Tanuites remained a general massacrcwould have occurred. As it was, some twenty large boat loads of people were lying alongside the Porpoise begging for protection, lor there was no place in all the islands to which they mifriit safely go, even if they could avoid the far superior fleets of Mataafa to the east and west of them. The people remained in their boats round the English warship till about 2 p.m., when a gale from the north arose, making the harbour extremely rough, so much so that the boats colliding with one another and with the sides of the vessel caused soVoral to swamp and the occupants, some 40 or 50 people, kept swimming about in the water for a considerable time, the man-of-war refusing them admittance on board. In this extremity they swam to the German man-of-war Falke lying at some distance, and the captain and officers, more humane than those of the English ship, kindly received them on board. After this, they were divided among the two war vessels on which they remained till next morning, when they surrendered to the Mataafa party. Tanu, Tamasese and a few others, with Gurr, their lawyer and adviser, all of whom were afraid of their heads, refused to leave the English man-of-war.

As soon as it was found that Apia was evacuated, pillaging began. __ Every native house was entered and its contents removed, after which if it did not adjoin the house of a foreigner it was burned, or otherwise destroyed with axes. Every species of property was carried away by the victors, who spent two whole days pillaging. A great many women and children belonging to tbo defeated party fled to the grounds of the London Mission House and to the enclosure of Mr H. J. Moors. At the first point they were protected by British marines and at the latter by the personal influence of Mr Moors, who has always been an outspoken Mataafa supporter. On the sth, when the marines were withdrawn, all of those who sought refuge in the Mission grounds were taken care of by Mr Moors and no harm came to any of them. On the 3rd inst. a Provisional Government consisting of Mataafa and 13 high chiefs, with Dr Raffel as executive, was duly recognised by all the Consuls, and efforts were at once made to bring about good order. The Government found itself with 900 nrisoners on its hands, against some of whom the people were so incensed that their lives were in danger. Tamasese and Tanu were still on board the 7 '' -rpoise, and many of the troops refuse ’ to leave Apia until they were deliv'- 1 or taken away. At a great meeting held at Mulinuu it was decided that if Tanu and Tamasese would surrender, after they had made the usual submissions customary to defeated Samoans, Tanu should be allowed to go back to school, and Tamasese would be kept in Mulinuu as a sort of State prisoner, Both refused the offers, and

have since remained on the warship. In tho meanwhile the chiefs have outlawed them, and now it would be dangerous for them to land at any point. After making their humble submission and signing an agreement never to fight again against their chiefs, four-fifths of the pr isoners were dismissed. Of the balance, most of whom are natives who have resided in Apia, some were sent to Manono, others to Tutuila and Manua, there to remain till times are more settled. Some 49 are confined in tho gaol at Mulinuu, and will be employed in removing the forts from the streets of Apia. On the 6th inst. the Provisional Government declared the Supreme Court closed, not to bo reopened till its consent was given. Early on tho next day the British Consul gave notice that at noon he would reopen the Court and fire upon any one who would resist. By tnis date nearly the whole of Mataafa’s forces had been withdrawn from Apia, and the President had no difficulty in controlling those who remained, but who were ready on a word to defend their rights. At 9 a.m. the Porpoise had her battle flag flying and her steam siren warning all Britishers to get on board their warship, as she was likely to attack the town. The German warships, knowing better the temper of the people, had given liberty to some of her sailors, who were strolling about tne place. Of course, a good number of white residents were frightened, and so fled to the vessel, which had boats at the wharves to roceiw all refugees. Just before midday Iff Raffel, the Gorman Consul, and a large number of wliite people who had not taken fright, assembled in front of the Courthouse, and when Consuls Maxe and Osborn appeared with the Chief Justice and their guards of 25 marines, they received them, and Dr Raffel annnouncod that he held the keys of tho building. These the British Consul demanded, claiming that the Chief Justice was still, under the Treaty, the highest Samoan official, and that at his request and that of the United States Consul he would use force to open the building if the keys were not delivered up.

In reply, the President stated that by an unforeseen revolution the people of Samoa had deposed the Chief Justice for rendering an illegal decision. That under the Treaty when that place became vacant he was the authorised successor, and as matters stood he was the real acting Chief Justice ; he refused to give up the keys, and said they might use force to open the Court if they chose. The American Consul, who is a very quiet old gentleman, and appeared rather dazed by tho whole affair and the strangeness of his surroundings, said nothing; but the British Consul in very loud tones said that his colleagues was acting with him, which Mr Osborn did not deny. A great show was made of protecting American interests, which never had been endangered, after which the British Consul called for three cheers for the Chief Justice, which were feebly given by a few of those present. After this, the German Consul .protested that, in the name of his Government, he refused to accept the decision of the Chief Justice as a legal one; that the Samoan people, unaided had risen and closed his Court ; that there was no utility in opening it, for he should no longer recognise Mr Chambers as an officer appointed by the Powers, and still holding office; that the position becoming vacant, the President had in the ordinary course assumed temporarily the duties, and might, if he chose, exercise them. He then called for three cheers for the President, which were given with a will, many of those present cheering both sides. After this the Court was entered and formally opened by Mr Chambers, and then formally adjourned. The day was one of intense excitement, all for no purpose; both sides it appears striving for the empty honour of closing a Court which could not carry on its business until sucli time as the Powers themselves should settle the matter. During the discussion on the verandah of the Courthouse, the British Consul claimed that the Provisional Government had grossly insulted the British flag, for which it would be held answerable. The President replying, declared that the British flag had been withdrawn from the Courthouse and from the house of the Chief Justice some days previously, and that when the Provisional Government had taken possession no flag was flying. Since the Bth inst., a joint proclamation has been issued by the British and American Consuls, and another by tho Chief Justice affirming their positions. The town has now assumed its usual quiet aspect, and business proceeds as hitherto. It is not thought that any further troubles will arise, as the Provisional Government is striving as hard

as possible to satisfy all just demands upon it. The Mataafa party have signified their willingness to pay all claims for damages caused to foreigners by either side during the late war, just as soon as they can be filed and proved. During the whole affair, Mataafa and he chiefs lately returned from exile, remained quietly on Mulinuu taking no art in the hostilities. In passing the London Mission station at Malua, some miles west of Apia, the returning warriors loudly denounced the missionary there as one of those who caused the war; besides this,. they burned some of the houses belonging to his native friends. Before the war began, and since its conclusion, many of these missionaries declared they had no connection with it, but they were generally not believed, and now a number of letters have been brought to light proving conclusively that several of them at least were taking a very active part. The Wesleyans and Catholics refrained from all interference. No further trouble is expected, and some months must elapse before the Powers can come to a definite decision as to how this affair shall finally be disposed of. Thirty persons in all were killed and about thirty-five wounded. Tanu and Tamasese had in the field about 900 men, and the Mataafa chiefs 5900. All the Tanu-Tamasese forces were captured. The Mataafa party is about 93 per cent, of tho entire population. The Maliotoa party, which has been kept in existence by the Power’s for many years past, has had no real influence for a long time back and most likely its star has now set for ever.