Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-10-03
GOLDEN GATE GOSSIP.
Samoan Tribes Arrayed in
Deadly Combat.
GERMANS ABETTING THE REBELS
What a Diver Saw in the Sub
merged Hull of the City of
Chester-COast Cuttings.

Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD
SAN Francisco, October 2.-The Hon
olulu Commercial Advertiser of Septem
Der "a, which was received here to-day
by the steamer Australia from Honolulu
publishes some private correspondence
from an officer of the United States
steamer Adams, which gives additional
and accurate details Of the recent trouble
in Samoa. One letter, dated September
10, relates some of the causes which led
to the battle between the forces Of
Tamasese and others of Malietoa. Among
these is mentioned the fact that some
time ago Tamasese issued orders through
Herr Brandeis, the German whom
he had appointed Prime Minis
ter, for the natives to turn in their
fine mats which are used there as money.
This occasioned great discomfort, which
was increased by the desire of Tamasese
to take the name of Malietoa, that of the
deposed King, and which means "Great
Warrior" The chiefs would not grant
him this honor, and the different clans
took to the bush. About September 1st,
few days before the battle occurred,
those in the rebellion had increased to
to about 4 900 men, and Tamasese's own
immediate family and tribe had deserted
him, and he had gone to Muliunu Point,
strip of German territory near Apia,
and had with him not more than 200 or
300 followers.
The officer of the Adams states in his
letter that about this time he was
informed that Tamasese desired to abdi-
cate, but that Becker, the German Con-
sui, and Braudeis would not permit him
to do 80. The officer also states that on
September Sth the German war ship
Adler, under the pretext of protecting
German property, but in reality to pro-
tect Tamesese, shelled native village.
The Captain of the Adams protested
against this, but the Captain of the
Adams referred him to the German Con-
sui, Becker.
In a letter dated September Is, the
officer describes the battle which took
place on the 18th, as follows: Shortly
after noon we we're aroused by musket
shot followed Immediately by volley
after volley from the direction of
Matoa Point, seven or eight hundred
yards from the ship. 1t seems the forces
were in rebellion against German rule,
and Tamesese had attacked the forti6ca-
tions in rear of the point. About six
hundred men were engaged on both
sides, though the revolutionists had one
or two thousand men in reserve that
were not called upon, the forces of
Matoafa, recently elected king by the
revolutionists. After several hours
brisk fighting they carried the entrench-
ments and drove Tamasese' men into the
sea and upon the reefs. The
last fort was taken by Mataofa's
people at A. NJ. on the 18th, and
skirmishing was carried on three hours
longer, making almost continuous en-
gagement Of nearly fifteen hours. Those
in rebellion now have possession of the
point and of Apia.
Tamasese, his prime minister Brand
els and his few remaining followers are
hemmed in at Muliunu Point, protected
by the guns of the German corvette
Adler and force of sixty-fve sailors on
shore in entertainments. 1t is difficult
to learn the exact number of casualties.
There were twenty wounded and two
killed on Matoafa's side, and ten killed,
wounded unknown, on Tamesese's side.
1t is believed fifty or sixty will cover all
the casualties.
The German Consul accused the Cap
tain of the Adams and the American
Vice Consul General of encouraging the
natives on Mataofa's side to fight.
The officer states that he believes if
the Germans fire one gun upon Matoafa's
people that every. German house on the
Island will be burned. The officer also
states that the Adams had received Or
ders to return to San Francisco, but can
not leave Apia until coal and provisions
arrive. He also expressed the belief that
in the present unsettled state of affairs,
the Captain of the Adams will not leave