Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-12-26
C%ontending Chieitains.
TWO BLOODY BATTLES FOUGHT
AT SAMOA.
THE FEELING STRAINED
Between the Americans and Germans
rhe Latter Plotting 10 Seal the Rebs 81
Pretender to h Throne to Use
as q Tool

San FRANCISCO, Dec. M.-The Oceanic
steamer Zealandia, from Sydney and
Auckland via. Samoa aud Honolulu,
brings o letter from Apia, Samoa, dated
Nov. . stating that since the last
steamer left, a month ago, two battles
andAnumerous skirmishes have occurred
between the forces of Malieyoa Mataafa
and Tamazze, the rebel pretender to the
throne. About 100 men have been
killed and $50 wounded. Many of the
dead were barbarously mutilated. The
trouble Is attributed to the persistent
support of Tamazze by the Germans,
who expect he will b6 their tool If made
king. Two-thirds of the people oppose
him
The first battle was on Nov. 9 at Savli,
where Tamazze occupied q strong fort
and had t,710 men and Mataafa had
1000 men scattered around the bush.
Tamazze's men were dislod9ed and
driven up a steep hill, where they raj
lied In a stockade but were again driven
out and finally made q further stand mp
the mountain, Tha government forces
acted very bravely and the charge up
the steep and rough ascent in the face
of the fire from above was a brilliant
achievement. Two of the rebels were
killed and twelve wounded, and four
were killed and fifteen wounded on the
other side. The l~atter's. wounded were
brought to Apia and cared for by the
English and American consuls, who
posted a notice that they would care for
Tamazze's wounded also, but the latter
were taken to u fort, where the sur
geon of a German man-of-wa and an
nthnY& Gprman nhueinjnn InnEo1 oftar
them.
Tho United States steamer Leipsic,
Capt. Mullen, arrived at Apia Nov. Z to
relieve the United States steamer Adams.
Nov. 90 Mataafa's men succeeded in
lighting their way to within twenty
yards of a strong fort which the rebels
had constructed in the bush.
The German steamer Lubbock arrived
from Sydney Nov. 10, bringing DR..
Huahha, the new German consul.
A schooner armed by the Germans
continues to make daily trips from Apia
to Saluafata, carrying ammunition for
Tamazzo. The new German consul
made official calls upon the British Off
Gals, but not the American.
The next day the German consuls de-
manded that Mataafa leave his encamp-
ment, because of alleged depredations on
German plantations. Mataafa denied
tffitsp fiiy of his rapn fiad committed dep
relations. 1t was also alleged that some
one had fired upon the German vice con-
sui; this was also denied. The .depreda-
tons were really committed by Ia
mazze's men, who arranged for the
blame to fall on Mataafa. Mataafa said
he would restore peace OH the island il
left alone. The consul thereupon re-
tired to the man Of war Adler, which
proceeded to Santuama, where some of
the officers went ashore and visited
Tamazze. Later In the day the Adler,
followed by the United States steamer
Adams and her majesty's steamer Liz
ard, returned to Apia. 1t is thought
that but for thr presence of the two yes
sells the Adler would have shelled Ma
tnafa's forces.
On the 10Th 8 meeting of the three
consuls was held, at the request of the
German consul, to consider what steps
should be taken to stop the fighting.
United States Consul Blackjack was
willing that the natives should return
home. the government to be. carried on
by the three consuls pending advice
from their governments. ,sThe English
consul said that the only way to restore
peace was to diyest Tamazee and the
German, Bradeis, who was aiding him,
OF all power. The German consul said
he must continue to recognize Tamazee
as King. The next day the British con
sui directed all English subjects to pay
their tax to him in trust for the Samoan
government. This Is regarded rs i'm
portant, signifying that England recoR-
ni2es no government at Samoa at pres
emit, though the consul had heretofore
r~ecnpniZed Tamayea.
Nov. 10 there was another battle won
by Mataafa, In which several were killed
on both sides. Mataafa,s men then went
up the river to q feast. The German
gunboat came up and warned them not
to return the same way as they had come,
as they had crossed some German ground.
This delayed their return and gave Ta-
maze q chance to reoccupy the forts,
where they were then protected by the
German flag. Mataafa had lost fifty-fve
Of his men nthe various engagements
he had at tine forts, andthirty- five OF the
dead were beheaded. Tamazze lost fifty
men and as many were wounded.
Capt. Teary, OF the Adams, notified
Tamazae on Nov. 81 that because OF the
d~epredations on American citizens no
might be compelled to leave the forts.
The last fighting took place Nov %
and Mataafa was again victorious. The
feeling between the Germans and Ameri-
JAMS is very strained.