THE SAMOAN KINGSHIP.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8419, 19 January 1899, Page 2

THE SAMOAN KINGSHIP.

AN EXCITING DISTURBANCE.

THE KING IN DANGER.

BRITISH NAVAL OFFICERS GIVJB PROTECTION.

THE ISLAND DEVASTATED.

THREE WARSHIPS TO SAIL FROM AUSTRALIA.

I [Per Press Association.] Auckland, to-day. When it was apparent that the followers of Malieloa had been outnumbered, Malietoa sought refuge in the Tivoli Hotel, wheie there were a large number of foreigners. The captain of H.M.S. Porpoise ordered all 1.0 goatonee to the mission liouse uuder theprotection of a. British guard. The King was left in the hotel with two faithful followers, who declined to take shelter in the mission compound. The Tivoli Hotel was immediately surrounded by rebels clamoring for the blood of the Kin?. A heavy fusihule continued all round the building. The rebels were slightly driven back, but still commanded the road which led to the Tivoli and the road from it In face of the rebel guns Captain Sturdee and the British Consul (Mr Jlaxse) rescued the King from the hotel and brought him to the mi?sion grounds, placing him under the protection of the British flag. Immediately following there was heavy firing all around the mission house, and Lieutenant Gaunt, with his brave men, the very essence of coolness, 3tood ready to defend the King, the Chief Justice, and lbout five hundred people (foreigners, native women, and children), who were shut up in the mission house. Mauafa's people completely surrounded the town, and desultory firing continued throughout the. night. They ilso held the beach. At 7 p.m. Lieutenant Gaunt escorted King Malietoa from the mission liouse to the beach, passing within fifty yards of Mataafa's outposts. While the dingy was being launched Lieutenant Gaunt held the wlurf to repel any attack from the rebels should a rush be made to capture the King. The native part of .Apia presents a heartrending spectacle. Nearly every house has been burned to the ground, the food plantations uprooted and cut down, and almost all the men have been sent into exile. Already most of the villages around Apia, and even throughout the province, have been destroyed. All the towns in the largo and populous Fa'eaU and Fagalili districts have been burned down, and hardly a mat remains for the women and children to lie on. The poor creatures will feel the loss of their houses sadly during the rest of the rainy season. It is stated that three warships go from the Australian squadron to Samoa, and that, an American warship is to leave Honolulu for Samoa, but the report lacks confirmation. (Electric Telegraph— Copyright— Unitea Press Association.) (Received Jan. 19, 10?. in.) Sydney, Jan. 19. Both morning papers have leaders commenting on the serious developments in Samoa, and condemnatory of the action of the Germans. They urge that it is necessary prompt interference should be taken by the Powers concerned to permanently settle the trouble. (Received Jan. 19, 10.35 a.m.) The Rev. George Brown, Secretary of the Wesleyan Foreign Missionary Society, considers the Samoan incident will prove beneficial, as it will show to the world that tripartite control is absolutely useless. Either ono Power must annex the group, or a system of self-government by natives under the protection of one of the three Powers be institutot?.

(Received Jan. 19, 10.50 a.m.) The opinion is expressed that the German Consul has taken action to bring mutters to a head becauce of the manner in which the German-American interests are clashing in other parts of the world as well as in Samoa. American activity has aroused the jealousy of the Germans, who fear America will obtain a predominant interest in Samoa.