, 1888-12-24
Affairs in Samoa.


SAN Francisco. Dec. 23.-The special
correspondent of the Associated Press, at
Apia, Samoa, writes under date Of Dec.
81 Since last advices two battles of i'm
portance and numerous skirmishes have
taken place between the forces ofiMalietoa
Mataafa and Tamasese, the rebel chief
and pretended king. About 100 men
have been killed and $50 wounded. The
state of affairs seems due to the continued
action Of Germans who insist that Tama-
sese shall be king, although two. thirds of
the people have elected Malietoa Mataafa
as their choice, while the Germans oppose
him knowing that he would not consent to
their supremacy on the Island.
On the afternoon of Nov. 6 Mataafa's
army began an attack on Tamssese's
stockade in the bush, and after a sharp
fight the rebels were driven out and up
the side Of the mountain, where they
threw up a stockade. They were again
driven out of here, Tamasese's loss being
two killed aud twelve wounded. and Ma
t%aafa's loss four killed and fifteen wound
ed. Mataafa's wounded were taken to
Apia, where the British consul, the United
States vice consul, Capt. Leary of the
United States steamer Adams, and Capt.
Pelly of the British steamer Luzard.
erected hospital tents In front Of the Brit
ish consulate for the accommodation of
the wounded.
Notice was also sent hat Tamasese's
wounded would be cared for, but none of
these were brought to the hospital tents,
being taken to Tamasese's fort on the
hill, where their injuries we're looked
after by surgeons from the German man
of-war.
The United States steamer Nipsic,
Capt. Mullen, arrived here Nov. 7 to re-
lieve the Adams. On Nov. 10 the Ger
man steamer Lubbock arrived from Sgd
ney, bringing DR.. Huahoe, tie new
German consul, to relieve Consul Becker.
A schooner armed by Germans continued
to make daily trips from Apia to Salua-
fata. carrying ammunition for the use of
Tamasese's men, Brandeis, the German
who is the rebel kings adviser. giving it
out to the rebel soldiers in large quantities.
On Nov. Is the German man of war,
Adder appeared off the harbor, and the
German consul came ashore and demand
ed that Mataafa comply with the Ger
mans order to leave his encampment on
account Of alleged depredationss which
Mataais denied. He said no one could
ra-nA shn mas 80 ,Ln- L.-.,a1t L.. l.
| did not intend to STOP fighting nov. All
he desired was that foreign nations
should not interfere but allow the Samo-
ans settle the trouble themselves. The
following day a meeting of German,
American and British c%onsuls was held,
but was devoid of results, the Germans
insisting upon u~pholding Tamasese.
On the afternoon of the 18th the OPP.
posing forces had a sharp fight at Salua-
fata, Mataafa's men driving the rebels
out of two forts. A number Of Tamas-
ese's men were killed and wounded.
The German gunboat Eber arrived
Nov. 81, and next day proceeded to Salu-
afata, where she will be stationed for
some time. The Nepsic followed her. and
will also remain temporarily at Saluafata.
Immediately on her arrival the Eber
sent ashore a notification to MataaTa's
men to leave German ground before the
following day or they would be forcibly
driven away and also ordering them net
10 attempt to pass over German land.
Mataafa's men having gone up the coast
after capturing the forts found themselves
unable under this order to return and
Tamasese is once more in possession of
the forts. The Germans claim large tracts of
land said to belong 10 the Samoans.