Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-12-24
Covpting Samoa.
The Situation Suggestive of Sc
rious Trouble.
GERMANY sOHEMING FOR CONTROL

And Urcie sam and John Bull Watching
Proceedings and Occasionally Protesting
How Bismarck's Men Assist the Rebels
and Thwart Mataafa- Tamases Loses
Three Fights-A sharp Protest from the
American Representative.
SAN Francisco, Disc 24-The Ocsanic
steamer Zsalandia from Sydney and Auck-
land via Samoa and Honolulu, brings let
ter from Apia, Samoa dated Dec. Z, stating
that since the last steamer left, a month ago,
two battles and numerous skirmisbes have
occurred between the fosces OF Malaeyoa
Mataafa and Tamasese, the rebel pretender
to the throne, and about 100 men have been
killed, and 50 wounded. Many of the dead
were barbarously muUilated. The trouble is
attributed to the persistent support Of
Tamasese by the Germans who expect that
he will be their tool if made king. Two
thirds of the people oppose him At the
first battle Mataatas wounded were brought
to Apia and cared for by the English and
American consuls, who posted a notice that
they would care for Tamasese' wounded
also, but the latter were taken to fort where
the surgeon of the German man -of-war and
H'''<NNNh 49, EAy aANAhh AOOhOA oAhoA
them.
The United States steamship Nipsic, Capt
Mullen, arrived a. Apia Nov. Z, from Callao,
to relieve the United States steamship
Adams. On Nov ~ Mataafa's men succeed
ed IN fighting their way to within twenty
five yards Of "A strong fort, which Tamasess
had constructed in the bush. The German
steamer Lubbock arrived from Sydney Nov.
10, bringing DR. Huappa, me New German
consul A schooner armed by Germans con-
tlnued to make daiiy trips from Apia to
Saluafata, carrying ammunition for Tama-
sese, The new German consul made official
calls upon the British officials, but not the
American. The next day the German con-
sui demanded that Mataafa leave his en-
campment because of alleged depredations on
German plantations Mataafa denied that
any Of his men committed the depredatons
1t was also alleged that some had fired
upon the German vice consul. This was
also denied. The depredations were really
committed bv Tamaseses' men. who arranged
for tie blame TO fall on Mataafa Mataafa
said he could not withdraw his forces II
left alone he could restore peace on the is.
land. The consul thereupon retired to the
man-of-war Adler, which proceeded to
| Sautuama, where some Of the officers went
ashore and VISITED Tsmasese. Later in the
day toe Adler followed by the United States
steamship Adams and her msjesty's steam
ship Lizard, returned to Apia Its thought
that but for the presence of the two vessels
the Adler would have sbelled Mataafa' s
forces. On the 18th meeting of the three
consuis was held at the request Of the Ger
] consul To npnSi1.,. . ab- INa
taken to stop toe fighting United States
Consul Blackjack was willing that the ma.
tives all return bone. tie government to be-
carried on by the three consuls pending ad-
vices from their governments. The English
consul sal the only way to restore peace
was to divest Tamesase and the German
Bradai7. who was aiding him, Of all power
The German consul said be must continue to
recognize TamaSe,e as king. Tie next
day the British consul directeds all
English subjects to pay their taxes to him in
trust for tie Samoan government when
properly established. This is regarded as
important, si-nitying that EIglanI recog-
nizss no government in Samoa at present,
/ though tho coUsul had heretofore recognized
/ Tamases..
| On Nov 10 there was another battle, won
/ by Mataafs, in which several were killed on
! both sides. Mataafa's men went up the
| coast TO celebrate the victory by pig feast
/ The German guDboat came up aud warned
/ them not 20 return III, same way they went,
/ as they had crossed some alleged German
ground. This DELAYED til If return and gave
/ TamgSese caance to re-occupy the forts
where they We're then protected by the
/ German flag. E,atasfa had lost fitty.f
/ men in the various engagements at the forts,
and thirty-six of the dead were beheaded
/ Tamasese lost fifty m n, and as many were
! wounded
| Capt Se7ry, OF the Adams. notified Tama
! Nov ,. that hacan-a OF dap-ada.ios
/ on American citizens he might be compelled
/ To leave the forts Capt. Sesry also protest
| ed to the captain of the German gunbost
| against sending German troops ashore to
| drive away Hataafa's men from certain
| ground, adding that he was unaware that
any power had territorial rights in Samoa,
and any Interference with any Of the com.
hatants would be regarded as an act of hos
tiity not sanctioned by international law.
| No replies were received The last fighting
took place Nov. y, and Matasfs was again
| victorious The feeling between the Ger.
mans and Am rlcans are very strained