THE SAMOAN WAR.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XVIII, 6 May 1899, Page 599

THE SAMOAN WAR.

The pictures which accompany this article are all of special interest, illustrating as they do scenes and incidents in connection with the trouble in Samoa. We are indebted to the Auckland ‘Star’ for the following vivid description of the most recent events. The writer, who has been through the whole of the war, was an eye-witness of the events he relates. His story opens on the day preceding that on which the R.M.s. Alameda left Samoa, carrying with her the news which was published in our issue of April 22nd.

On Wednesday, the sth, the Royalist steamed out of harbour for Futuika, with several chiefs on obard, who were desirous of collecting their followers together and bringing them over to Mulinuu. She returned on Saturday morning, having 280 natives. Monday she again went out, this time to Safttni, on the island of Savaii, from where rumours had arrived that a large number of natives were undecided as to which side to take. She returned with 130 natives. Friday, the 7th, together with the U.S.s. Philadelphia, she left for Pango Pango to coal from the s.s. Pukaki..

Thursday morning, the 6th inst., the H.M.s. Porpoise went down to Fangatoa Bay, accompanied by the steam pennance (Lieut. T. T. Craven) of the U.S. Philadelphia and 100 friendly natives, under Lieut. Gaunt. A few miles from Apia the village of Utumapoo, one of the head-quarters of the rebels, was bombarded at a range of 8000 yards, when some excellent shooting was done. Proceeding on Fangatoa Bay was reached about 10 a.m. Steaming up the harbour, the three-pounder Hotchkiss sent a fewshots into each village, and the 6-inch forward gun shelled the village and road leading to Apia, at the head of harbour. Under the protection of these guns, and the guns of the steam pinnace and armed cutter (under Lieut. Parker), the natives, or red caps as they are known, were landed; no opposition was shown, however, and the villages of Hi Hi. Musa Musa. Loga, Seinanica, and Failifaga were burnt. The boats returned to the ship laden with loot in the shape of kava bowls, fowls, pigs, etc., all of which, of course, remain in the possession of the friendly natives. The ship returned to Apia the same evening—Friday night, the 7th inst. A start was made for Faliolili. a Malietoan village, on the other side of Upolu. The rain came down in torrents, and the night was as black as pitch. Faliolili was reached early next morning; the “chiefs landed, and by 5 p.m., with a cargo of 450 natives, the return journey started. It still continued to rain bueketfulls, and at 8 p.m. a gale of wind was met with. A most disagreeable night was the consequence, especially for the natives, who huddled together on the deck for warmth, and all were glad to see the morning dawn and Apia in sight. Tuesday, the 11th, the Porpoise, accompanied by the steam pinnace (Lieut. Craven) went down to Falifa. a village about 17 miles from Apia, where one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the island falls into the sea. This is the home of Salanoa M.i luify, an adopted son of Mataafa. On reaching this place the pinnace, with Hotchkiss in bows, and armed cutter under Lieut. Parker, and three boats containing 80 natives, under Lieut. Gaunt, started for shore. The friendlies were landed without opposition, and the murning of the village commenced. The seouts then came running in with the news that the rebels were gathering in force around the house of Salanoa. A move was made in that direction. A few stray shots gave warning that the rebels intended to fight, and soon all hands were hard at it. The pinnace was unable to get inside the reef, and so remained inactive, bu tthe cutter rowed up and down, blazing away with the Nordenfeldt. The rebels were gradually forced back, and after an engagement lasting about au hour were in full retreat, with a few shells from the Porpoise to help them along. Saianoa's house was burnt, and the natives returned with large quantities of loot, and cries of ‘Malietoa,* Malietou. sext day information came to hand that

confirmed, the Porpoise once mote weighed anchor early on Friday morning and steamed down the West Coast to Mulafanua Here the armed cutter, under Lieutenant Parker and the native boat under Lieut. Gaunt started for the shore. On landing a native missionary gave some important information. He stated that the Falke, which had left Apia on Wednesday with the German consul on board, steering a N.N.E. course, had already been to Mulafanua, and the chiefs and Von Bulow had gone off to her. Von Bulow had been advised to remain on board, and to refrain from outward

the rebels lost 6 killed and several wounded; the friedlies had only one man wounded. On Wednesday, the twelfth, news arrived that Von Bulow had crossed from Savaii with 400 natives to assist Mataafa. This news being active part in the fighting. The chiefs, however, had been advised that instructions had arrived by the s.s. Hauroto from their respective Governments that the English and Americans were to cease fighting, and that Mataafa was to be placed on the throne. It is unnecessary to remark that the English and Americans had received no such news, and that no one word of this was true. Unfortunately two days after the H.M.s. Royalist and U.S. Philadelphia left harbour for Pango Pango to coal, and the rebels naturally believed the Ger

man story and took it that the ships were leaving Samoa altogether under instructions from their Governments. What will be their feelings now that these ships have returned to Apia as they did do the morning of the Taviuni’s departure? In the meantime the rebels have fought two severe engagements, and thus are unwilling to come over to the other side or surrender, fearing a more severe punishment than ever. To go back to the landing, however. This was done without opposition, although the missionary informed Lieut. Gaunt that 2000 rebels were collected in the bush close by, the cause of so many being present being that Mataafa's men had come down to hold a ‘tatolo’ or feast to honour the arrival of the contingent from Savaii. The village was set on fire, and the natives were doing some looting when the rebels opened fire from all sides. Lieut.

Gaunt's picked men, now known as the ‘ever victorious’ owing to their great success since they have started to drill and fight, ‘All same English soldiers,’ replied in the pluckiest manner, although they knew that they were outnumbered by 20 to 1. A hot engagement lasted for about an hour, when the ammunition of the friendlies started to give out, and it was advisable to retire to the boats. This was done in excellent order, the only difficulty being to get some to retire before they had fired their few remaining cartridges. Lieut. Parker, who had been at work with the Nordenfeldt wherever the rebels were pressing hardest, covered the reembarkation and n return was made to the ship. The day had been a most successful one. Important news hail been received. In the face of heavy odds

the village had been burnt, and four boats destroyed, the Mataafa men had received a severe lesson, while the Malietoans casualties only amounted to three men wounded. During the fighting a trader further down the coast managed to escape from the shore in his boat. He was tired on by the rebels, ami several shots hit the boat. Finding that did not stop him. they set out in their canoes to intercept him, but fearing to get too close to the guns of the Porpoise, gave up the chase. The Porpoise returned to Apia the same evening. THE ATTACK ON VAI LIMO. Owing to the tremendous downpour of rain, the land forces have been unable to move about as much as they might desire; the rivers and creeks are all flowing bankers, and as there are no bridges it is almost impossible

to get across. However, on Saturday, the 9th, the unattached friendly natives Uinder Tamasese went out at 11 a.m. Crossing Mount Via, they came on the rebels strongly entrenched at 1 apalaloa. They immediately at-

tacked then* and a spirited engagement took place. Word reached Apia that Tamasese was retiring. Thinking they might have been defeated. Lieut. Gaunt assembled his men and set out up the Hi Hi road to cover his retreat. Seeing rein loreemeu ts arrive, the rebels retired, and soon were in full flight into the bush. The friendlies advanced right up to Vailinio, the late 11. L. Stevenson's house. The road was found to be blocked with large trees and strong forts at intervals of a quarter of a mile have been thrown tip. Lieut. Gaimt had too small a force at his disposal to

occupy the forts without any communication with the town forces, and so decided to destroy as much as possible (owing to heavy rains it was impossible to set tire to them) and return to Apia. This was done. A large number of provisions were found in Suetali house, which was burnt to the ground. For the next week all was quiet. Information was constantly being brought in that the rebels were going to attack the town on such and such a night, but no attack was made. If one had been the rebels would have received a very severe lesson, as the town. .Mulinu. and Consulates are now very strongly defended, and no number of men that Mataafa could call together would have a chance of defeating them. SEVERE ENGAGEMENT AT VAILIMO. .Monday, 18th inst., saw one of the severest engagements yet fought. It was lerstood that Suetali, one of Mataafa's high chiefs, had again occupied the forts around Vailimo with a very strong force, consisting of the Ana, Atua. and Savaii people. At 9 o'clock, therefore, the H.M.S. Porpoise and Taiiranga opened fire on these, a heavy cannonade continuing for upwards of an hour. On the cease fire the friendly natives advanced up the Hi Hi anil Tivoli roads. The force consisted of 250 of the Tutuila people on the right, 140 of the ‘Ever Victorious' army in the centre, and 300 of the Tuainasana people under Tamasese on the left, the whole under the eomniand of Lieut. Gaunt. A reserve force of so bluejackets, with NordenI'eldt gun from the warships in the harbour. under Captain Sturdee. with Limits. Cave. Garner and Vaughan to assist him. followed them out. Shortly after passing theMissionSchool,about 1.1 miles from Apia, the rebel scouts were seen, and another mile they came in sight of the first fort. From behind this a terrific fire was opened. The ‘Ever Victorious’ Army, however. continued to advance without a flinch. It was otherwise with the majority

of the untrained men. Do what lie would, Lieut. Gaunt could not make them advance, all had excuses, and so at last he decided to rush the fort with his own men, together with Tamasese and about 100 others who were willing to go. On the sound of the whistle and the command of ‘charge,’ up they jumped, and with a great shout made for the fort. It was one of those charges that would make any man shudder. Of the first six, four were shot down, Lieut. Gaunt and his first lieutenant, a magnificent high chief named Tao, alone remaining to reach the rampart The others were not far behind, however, and they drove the rebels belter skelter out of the place, carrying their dead and wounded with them, but were forced to leave four dead behind. A German flag was found flying over this fort. It was captured and handed to the taupo, or village belle who comes with the troops as a water carrier. So far all was satisfactory. Further however they could not get. For four hours the heavy firing continued. Again and again they tried to take the next fort, but the odds were too great. It was practically 200 men fighting considerably over a 1000. At 2 o’clock word was sent down to the ships that it was impossible to take the forts, that the friendlies would retire to Mr Skeen’s house and that it was desired that the ships should once again shell the forts. This was done. The ships opened fire at a range of 480 yards. At three o’clock the advances were again sounded, and another attack made on the forts. The same thing however occurred, the untrained natives could not face the hail of bullets. At five o’clock Lieut. Gaunt, unable to get their support, decided to retire. His men had indeed fought splendidly, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. they had faced heavy odds, had succeeded in turning the rebels from the first fort, and if the untrained men had given any support at all, there is no doubt all the remaining forts would now be in their possession. It is known that the rebels lost heavily. The Malietoans lost five killed, five mortally wounded, and seventeen others wounded. Their return to Apia was a triumph, for marching down the bench road, the taupo waving the captured German flag i n

front, all the white troops and residents turned out and cheered Lieut. Gaunt and his men again and again. They were brought to a halt in the square by the Supreme Court, where Captain Sturdee congratulated and praised them for their gallantry and success. The ships also signalled off, ‘Well done, Gaunt’s Brigade.’ The German flag was then handed over to Captain Sturdee, who told the men that they were not at war with Germany, and therefore he could not see a national flag disgraced. but that the flag had been captured in fair fight from the rebels, that he would take it off to the senior officer to show to him and report how it was captured, and it would then be handed back to the army’s ‘Taupo.’ The troops then went back to Mulinuu. Before this account of Monday’s fight is closed, it is necessary to say something of the attention paid to the wounded. The Supreme Court has been made into a hospital for the white troops, and a large shed in front of Mr Fabricius’s store for the natives. Here Surgeons Andrews (Porpoise), and Bowie (Tauranga), and Dr. Braught, assisted by Miss McCoy (a Pitcairn Islander), Miss Forth, and two Six baymen were ready to attend to the wounded. They had not long to wait, and very soon a sad sight was to be witnessed. The first batch of twelve wounded men was hrougth down very soon after the fighting commenced, and the doctors were hard at it. Volunteers were put on to cut up more bandages, and assist in any little way possible. As soon as a man’s wound was dressed he was taken possession of by his weeping female relations, and carried off to the temporary hospital. These natives show most extraordinary pluck with their wounds; never so much as a single groan is heard, although some of their wounds were truly ghastly. No wound, no matter how severe, prevents him from turning to the doctor and saying; ‘Faafilai tele lava’ (Thank you very much).

On Tuesday evening the Porpoise and Tauranga once more turned their guns on Vailimo and the vicinity, and a heavy bombardment continued for an hour or so. Wednesday the Taviuni sailed, having on board Von Bulow, who was bound for Nukualofa.