THE SAMOAN WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 34

THE SAMOAN WAR.

SHARP FIGHTING WITH THE REBELS. THREE OFFICERS KILLED. HEROIC CONDUCT OF THE MEN. ASSISTANCE FROM NEW ZEALAND SUGGESTED. MATAAFA WILL FIGHT TO THE DEATH. (From Our Special Corhesponoe.nt at Samoa.) [Telegraphed fbom Auckland.] APIA, April 12. Though every chance was given to Mataafa, with the view of preventing further bloodshed, he has acted on the advice of the German consul and refused to come in, and the rebels have continued then depredations. We had a battle at Mangiangi on the 29th Maroh, when several of the rebels were killed or wounded. Captain Stuart headed an expedition of armed cutters up the coast to Mataafa's stronghold at Malia on Good Friday. Lieutenant Gaunt and the British consul were* with the friendlies. There was sharp skirmishing with the rebels on shore. Gaunt drove them out of the stone fort, a few being killed. On returning the cutters were attacked by the rebels on shore behind -coyer. Bullets fell thick around the boats. The British and Americans were absolutely cool and fearless, and replied with a hot fire from the Nordenfeldts and one-poun-ders. There were some narrow escapes but none of our men were killed.

H.AI.S. Porpoise and Royalist went on a punitive expedition, and a sharp skirmish ensued at Dulumoentea, where we were suddenly fired on by the rebels from, the Mission Station, which was occupied by native teachers. Gaunt and the Consul with the friendlies again attacked bravely and the cutters fired from inside the reef. The enemy's loss is unknown. One friendly was wounded. A bullet entered his chest, struck his ribs, and grazed a "lung. It was extracted by Dr Andrews. Forty-six of Mataafa's boats and several villages were destroyed. Meantime the flying column was going daily along the roads, through tho bush, near Apia.

On April 1 a force of 114- British and Amerioans and 150 friendlies were surprised by an ambush in the German plantation of Vailele. The rebels in fore« opened a hot fire from the rear. The left flank and front friendlies bolted, but the marines and bluejackets stood their ground splendidly, the Americans and British firing shoulder to shoulder and helping each other's wounded. The Colt automatic gun jammed, and the force was at the mercy of the rebels. The retreat had to be sounded three times before the British and Americans would retire.

Lieutenant Freeman, first lieutenant on H.M.S. Tauranga, who was in command, was shot through the heart, and First Lieutenant Lansdale, of the American warship Philadelphia, had his leg shattered while endear vouring to fix the gun. The gun was further disabled and abandoned. Lansdale was helped by several, notably by Ensign Managhan, of the Philadelphia, who apparently stood by his comrade to the last. Only when Lansdale was shot a second time through the heart he did not leave, and in turn was shot 'through the heart, while retiring. Seaman Hunt, of the Porpoise, had an extraordinary escape. He was also with Lansdale till he was clubbed on the head and knocked senseless. He was revived by the natives cutting off his right ear. The rebels were turning him round to cut off tho other oar when a shell from the Royalist burst on the battlefield, frightening the rebels, and Hunt escaped to the beach. Ho was also stabbed in the fcot the same night.

The friendlies went out and found that the bodies of all the officers had had their heads cut off. The four men who were killed hal their ears cut off only. The bodies were buried at Mulinuu on Easter Sunday

The heads were subsequently brought in by a Catholic priest, and it was then found that Freeman's ears were also cut off. Tho graves were reopened and the heads out in the coffins with the bodies. Lansdale, in addition to a shattered leg, had a bullet through his heart.

Lieuts. Freeman and Lansdale were very capable and popular officers. The former was single, but the latter was married last June. The bravery of Monaghan was worthy of a Victoria Cross. Hunt already has two medals for saving life.

Seven men were killed, including two friendlies, but there were none wounded. Three officers out of six are dead. Those who returned are Cavo, Porpoise ; Hickman, Royalist; and Perkins, Philadelphia. They all behaved splendidly, Cave being in n,ramand while retreating. Captain Sturdee was away on an expedition in the Porpoise ; a'so Lieut. Gaunt and his friendlies.

Tho enemy lost fifty kiled and many wounded. Thero • was much blood on the road where the rebels were dragging away their dead and wounded ; also pools of biood behind the cocoanut trees, the bullets going right through thick trees and killing men behind them. Some of the rebels fired from the tops of cocoanut palms.

The manager of the German plantation has been arrested and detained on the Tauranga. Four men and one officer have Bworn an affidavit that they saw him amongst the rebels waving them on. The rebels fired near the town last night. It is now proposed to get another warship and more arms for the friendlies, and more friendlies from Tutuila. It is suggested, also, to get men from New Zealand and Sydney. If there were plenty of arms we could Bend 2000 friondlies into the bush, but they are not always brave, and may not do much. Captains Stuart and Sturdee are doing everything that "is possible, and everyone has recognised that they could not have better men. The Americans also are much praised, and Admiral Kantz anr"^Vhite are recognised as the right men in the right place. Mataafa says he will not now give in. Ho will fight to the death. [The above was issued as an extra yesterday.] ______________