EXCITEMENT AT SAMOA.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17361, 21 August 1918, Page 5

EXCITEMENT AT SAMOA.

GERMANS TRY TO ESCAPE

A SHORT-LIVED ENTERPRISE

(Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, August 20

Three Germans at Apia, Samoa, attempted to escape from, the island last week in a motor launch, but were recaptured the next clay, owing to the breakdown of the launch.

It appears that a Captain Steffenay was the leader of the little adventure. This man was in Apia at the outbreak oj the war, and when the New Zealanders came said he was a naturalised American, although he was born in Germany. On the strength of this statement he was given charge of a store for the Solomon Islanders working at the wharf. It was subsequently discoVered that he had not been naturalised, and he was therefore told "ie would have to report in same way as the rest of the Germans resident there.

This did not satisfy Captain Steffenay, and securing the co-operation of a young German named Graff, the son of a local publican, and another Germa,n, a carpenter by trade, and also a ship's captain, on Friday afternoon last these three seized a seagoing launch which had come up from iUulifanua with meat for the local butchery. They impressed three Solomon Islanders and stored the little craft with tinned provisions, including meat, biscuits, and about 13 0 cases of benzine.

It is believed the intention of the three was to intercept the motorboat Manua which runs the mails between Pago Pago and Apia, and probably seize her, so as to get further afield. The engines, however, gave out, and the party had to put into Mulifaaus on Saturday morning about So miles from Apia. Graff went ashore, presumably with the intention of getting repairing tools. A patrol met him, arrested him, and ' taining information as to where the launch was, took- charge of the others too. They were taken to Apia for trial.

As soon as the escape became known, .search parties went cut, and at daylight on Saturday three launches were put out. It was the adertness of the authorities that ended the business.

As a result of the escapade it is 1- -derstood that the restrictions on all Germans resident in the group have been strengthened.