Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-12-24
THE RIVAL KINGS.
They Fight Bloody Battles
in Samoa.
THE WRANGLES OF DIPOMATs.
German Encouragement to the
Usurper military Tactics of
the Savages.

ABSOC1apSu freSS OlSDdCCQc6 10 the d.
SAN Francisco, December 23.-The
Oceanic steamer Zealandria arrived here
late last night from Sydney and Auck-
land via the Samoan Islands and Homo
lulu. A special correspondent of the AS
sociated Press at Apia, Samoa, writes as
follows under the date of December 9TH /:
Since the last Oceanic steamer left this
place for San Francisco a month ago,
two battles of importance and numerous
skirmishes have taken place between the
forces OF Malietoa Mataafa and Tams-
sese, the rebel chief and pretended king.
About $50 men have been killed and $50
wounded, many OF the dead having been
barbarously mutilated.
This state of affairs on the island
seems to be due to the continued action
of the German Consul, DR.. Knappe, sup
ported by the men-of-war Adler and
Eber and the German Planting and
Grading Company, who insist that Tam
asese shall be King, although wo.thirds
of the Samoan people have elected Ma
lietoa Mataafa as their choice. The
Germans oppose him, knowing that he
will not consent to their rule of the
islands. By November 9th the town of
Apia was almost deserted by natives, ex-
cept such persons as were either too
young or too old to go to the front. Ma.
taafa took up his headquarters at Saulii
small village about six miles from
Apia, and situated on the shore of a bav,
the entrance to which is about a mile
wide. Tamasese has his headquarters
in large fort built on top of hill at the
eastern extremity of the bay.
This fort, which is almost impregnable,
is built in three sections, the first being
made Of a well-built stockade twelve or
fifteen feet high, backed by baskets
made OF cocoanut leaves plated together
and filed with earth. Twenty or thirty
yards back is the second section, which
consists OF stone breastworks and rifle
pits. The inner section is stockade en-
trance to these sections, and is just wide
enough to allow four men to pass abreast.
The sides of the hill upon which the fort
is situated are almost precipitous and
have been cleared of trees and brush
thus giving those within the fort clear
range OF the attacking party. Another
rough stockade was erected by Tama-
sese's men about five miles back in the
bush. Mataafa's men numbered about
1000, while Tamasese's force was 700.
The rebels were stationed in big fort in
tie brush and in the stockade, while a
few were located in number of small
villages. Mataafa's soldiers were dis.
tributed throughout the bush for dis
tance of three or four miles.
The afternoon of November 9th the men
belonging to Matafaa's army began the
the attack on the stockade, located in
the bush, and after q sharp fight the
rebels were driven out and retreated up
the side of the steep mountain, where they
hastily made a clearing and threw up a
stockade. The sides Of this mountain are so
precipitous that it was barely possible for
q man to stand erect, but the attacking
party charged up the side, having to pull
themselves up by shrubs and branches
of trees, while the rebels fred down upon
them. The latter were driven out, how
ever, and compelled to make a stand
further up the mountain. Tamasese's
loss ia this fight was two killed and
twelve wounded. Mataafa lost four killed
and fifteen wounded.
SAN Francisco, December 23.-The
United States Man-of-War Nipsic.
Captain D. w. Mullen arrived here from
Callao, November 9TH, to relieve the
Adams. On November 9Th Mataafa's
men succeeded in fighting their way to
within twenty-five yards of a strong
Tamasese fort which had been built in
the brush. Mataafa's men then erected
a stockade and each side settled down to
watching the other and firing q shot
whenever man exposed himself to
view. The German steamer Subeck ar.
rived from Sydney November 10Th.
bringing DIR. Knappe, the new German
Consul to relieve Becker. A schooner
offlcered by Germans continued to make
daily trips from Apia to Saluafata. carry
ing ammunition for the use of Tamasese's
men.
A day or 80 later the German man-of-
war Adler appeared off the harbor and
the German Consul came ashore and de-
manded that Mataafa comply with the
instructions in his letter OF the previous
day, ordering him to leave his encamp-
ment on account Of alleged depredations.
informed tie Consul that none
of his men had committed depredations
upon German plantations. Mataafa said
that no one could regret war more than
but he did not intend to stop
lighting at the present time, when he
had 30 far gained advantage. He added
that all he desired was that foreign ma
lions should not interfere, but would
allow the Samoans to settle the war
% the 10Th meeting of the three
Consuls was held at the request of the
German Consul, for the purpose of con-
'idering what steps should bs taken TO
stop the fighting. United States Consul
Blocklock said he would consent to the
natives returning to their homes and al
ow the government to be carried on bv
he three Consuls until definite news
;ould be received from the respective
governments. The English Consul
hought the only way to restore
,eace was to divest Tamasese and
3randers Of all power. Consul |
Anappe replied he must continue and |
ecognize Tamasese as King, and the |
Meeting came to an end. The next day
he British Consul issued a proclamation |
making all British subjects amenable to |
lis jurisdiction, and directing that all |
axes of English subjects should be paid |
o him in trust for the Samoan Govern
nent. whenever it should be properly
e-estab!lshed, This proclamation is
egarded here as being important, being
virtual admission that there is no gov
rpnent existing in Samoa, although the
.ritish Consul had heretofore recognized