Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-17

an explanation was demanded by Consul
Blackjack Consul Knappe replied that it
was because the boat had not displayed any
national flag. The English merchant
steamer Richmond arrived in Apia harbor
shortly before dark on the 18th, but the Vice
Consul received no news, and the Ameri-
cans were left in the dark as to the intention
of the American Government to protect its
citizens.
At / o'clock on the morning of January
10 the Richmond was boarded by crew of
armed men fromthe Adler, although an armed
German boat had been watching her about
100 yards distant from the moment she
arrived. The officer in command of the
former boat informed the Captain of the
Richmond that war had been declared by
the Germans against Samoa, that the harbor
had been blockaded and that martial law
had been declared in Samoa.
The Captain was further told that no
freight would be allowed to be taken from
the Richmond unless taken directly to the
wharf of the German Trading and Planting
Company, where it could be opened and the
propriety of admitting it to Samoa would be
passed upon by Herr Beckmann, manager
of the German firm, and a person who was
in no way connected with the German Gov
eminent IN an omclal capacity.
ACTING BY AUTHoRITy.'
This proceeding on the part of the Ger
man warship verified the belief that the Ger
man Consul had received important news
from his Government. At daylight on the
morning of the 10Th small boat from the
Adler was seen anchored about 100 yards
astern of the Richmond for the purpose of
preventing any freight being landed, and
also to interrupt any boats going to or
coming from the vessel, and ascertain the
reason of their presence in the neighbor-
hood of the ship.
Soon after 9o'cIock in the morning the
following proclamation, printed IN English
and German, but not in Samoan, was issued
by the German Consul:
BY order of the Imperial German Govern
ment herewith proclaim the state of war for
Samoan Islands. Any assistance to rebels
will be punished by martial law, IRE.
spective of any nationality. Introduction OF
contraband goods of war is prohibited. All
vessels and boats are liable to be searched by
the authorities. The police of Apia henceforth
will act under instructions from the Imperial
German Government. Residents OF Apla are
requested to assist in keeping law and order.
DIR. KNAPPE. Imperial German Consul
APIA, January l9, 1889.
This peculiarly worded document was
looked upon with surprise by the United
States Vice Consul, and the British Consul.
The Germans proceeded to act in accord
ance with the spirit Of the proclamation.
AN AMERICAN BOAT SEIZED.
Half an hour after the document had been
issued boat belonging to 81. S. Moors, an
American merchant, which had gone along
side Of the Richmond to secure freight, was
seized by the German vessel. When the
fact of the seizure was reported to Vice
Consul Blackjack some time afterwards, he
at once communicated with Captain Mullan,
who wrote to Captain FritZe, Of the Adler,
demanding an explanation of the seizure,
and asking that the boat be at once released.
The German captain replied that Ger
many had declared war against Samoa, and
that Mr. Moors' boat was seized because he
had refused to land his goods at the German
wharf, and allow them to be examined by
Mr.. Becker, of the German service. At 8
o'clock in the afternoon the German cap
tain gave his consent that the boat be re-
leased, and allowed Moors to land few
head OF cattle and sheep at his own wharf,
but insisted that all other live freight be
landed at the wharf of the German firm.
Vice Consul Blackjack addressed letter
to Consul Knappe, requesting him to ex-
plain in plain terms whether Germany had
declared war against Samoa and also if
martial law existed.
MARTIAL LAW.
After several hours the German Consul
sent reply, saying that, by order of the
Imperial Government the German Consul
has proclaimed martial law for Samoa un-
til further orders" No reference was made
in the letter as to the declaration of war.
Captain Mullan thereupon called upon
Captain Fritze and inquired if war had or
had not been declared by Germany
The German Captain informed Cap
tain Mullan that war had not
been declared BY Germany. When the
officer from the Nipsic had occasion to pay
an official visit to the Adler, some hours
later Captain Fritze once more changed his
statement, and told the American officer
that war had been declared, and soon after
ward wrote a letter to the same effect to
Captain Mullane.
Up to this time Captain Hand of the
RoyaliSt, had taken no action toward pro-
tecting the Richmond against the acts of
the Germans. King Mataafa and his chiefs
were not disposed to begin operations against
the Germans, on hearing the declaration
of war, until at least after the arrival of the
Oceanic Steamship Company mail steamer
due January 27 at Tuluila.
LOOKING TO AMERICA.
The Samoans hoped that the steamer
would bring news from the American Gov
ernment, as we'll as the arrival of Consul
have authority to uphold American rights
in Samoa. On the afternoon OF the 20th
the British ship Longfellow arrived in port
from Pauline Islands, bound for Queens
town and London with guano, having
been obliged to put in for provis-
ions. She was Immediately boarded by a
crew of an armed boat from the Adler, fol-
lowed moment later by boat from the
Royalist The German officer stated he was
not instructed to keep guard on the vessel
and the Royalist officer not having positive
orders, and the Longfellow' captain having
not vet been able to visit the British Consul
and prove that his papers were clear, the
British naval officer withdrew.
The Germans kept armed men and officers
on board until morning, when the Longfel-
lows captain, having proved his papers to
be clear, the Royalist sent an armed boat to
the ship and forced the German guard to
leave An indemnity bond having been
given the Germans by the Captain of the
Richmond the vessel was given permission
to land her freight at the German wharf
Mr.. Moors was not allowed to land three
barrels of cement at his own wharf and
therefore declined to receive it.
ENGLAND INVOLVED.
A proclamation was issued by the British
Consul on the afternoon of January 90, in
which ali the British subjects in Samoa
were notified that notwithstanding the
proclamation of the German Consul declar-