The Samoan War.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7285, 12 August 1893, Page 2

The Samoan War.

(Thu Electric Teleoarph—Copyright.)

'Per Press Association.!

Recoivod 1.15 a.m., August 12th.)

London, August 10.

Sir E Grey said that the Powers interested would discuss what was to be done with Matuafn, of Samoa.

(By It?: Bi-iiAiMi.)

AUCKLAND. August 11

Nfwa from the Islands is that Mataafa and 13 chiefs w.-m taken on board me warship Spirber and taken, on the 251 h Ju'y, it is supposed to the Uni.ui group where they will be kept do e pruosers A number of others wore se tenoecl to terms of imprisonment and fined. Tins was settled after a conference between the consuls and the Samoan Governmeut. DETAIIB O? THE FIGHTING-. The Opolu from Samoa brings details of the recent fighting between the forces of Mataafa an. Walietoa. On Saturday morning, July Bth, the Government troops (Vai-nurga) marched to the front The Vr.imanga and soma of the Safutilafai 400 strung, took up a position iu the Vaitele piantatio*, close to Tiedmann’s house, whilst tt e enemy, about the same in number, were in a stockyard Agon accidentally cr wittingly, was tired and shot one of the Vaimanga and broughi on a fight. A brisk fusillade ensued, -n which Mataafa’s people were driven out of the stockyard rolhe boundary wall of ibo plant afc'on, whendirkne s setiu. Four women were killed, two being beheaded. Both were fighting in arms, one being mistaken for a man, and the other beheaded in trying to save her husband from decapitation. Shortly afterwards eleven heads were brought into town and presented to the King of Mullin Gate, the King’s residence. An old chief, Fatumanaia, received them with great thanks, and two heads were brought in later, making thirteen. Three dead bodies were brought to town and some wounded slung on poles by night. Twelve wounded in the hospital in the Jjoodoo Mis*

sionary Society's compound were attended by Sdr W. K. Clark and Miss lariO, medical attendance being given by the German warships Buzzard and Sperbsr. On Sunday, July 9th, Malaafa's people evacuated the whole lino of country from Yaitelo plantation to Malie. Malietoa’a forces went on in the direction of Malie. burning houses en route to Malie, which wan in flamesMataafa had evacuated the town, burning the houses of his followers, but leaving those of foreigners intact.

The casualties on both sides in Saturday’s skirmish are estimated at sixteen dead and seventeen wounded on Mntanfa'a side, and four dead and twelve wounded on the Government side. The bodies of the slain were buried on Sunday by London Missionary Society teachers where they fell. On July 15th Mataafa asked for a truce. On July 17th the officers of the German and English warships and the Consuls met to consider instructions received by thsEatoomba from the British Government. It was decided that tho warships should demand the surrender of Mataafa and all his principal chief* 128), and, on being handed over, take them to Apia and surrender them to the Government of Samoa far trial or other tribunal determined by instructions received by the incoming raads. the arms of Mataafa’a followers to be collected On July 18th a message was sent to Mataafa, who was entrenched at Manono, requiring his surrender with his chiefs and the arms in their possession within three hours, or the Buzzard, Sperber, and Katoomba would open fire, as the commanders of tho warships had been instructed by their respective Governments to support Malictoa to any extent necessities might require. Within 15 minutes of the specified limit of time Mataafa and bis chiefs came off to the Katoomba and surrendered with their arms, and tho Katoomba returned to Apia with her prisoners. Nino were sent to each of the German war»hipa, and ten were kept on the Katoomba Mataafa occupied a state cabin, and was well treated Mataafa and his men were promised their lives on surrendering It ie understood that Mataafa will m iko disclosures as to bow be was adv'sed in his action. It is suggested that the most prominent of the rebels should be banished from Samoa.