The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-03-23
Affairs at Samoa.
What the Commander Of the Nipsic
Says in Private Letter.

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Says in n Private Letter.
The following extract from the
last letter from Capt. Mullan, COM
manding the United States Nipsic
to his brother in this city, which
has peculiar interest at this time
in view of the unfortunate rumors
in regard to the fate of the vessel
shows that all was not quite so
serene as the official dispatches
seemed to indicate, and that the
Germans were carrying things with
u higher hand than has been gener-
ally supposed. The letter is writ
ten from Apia, and bears date of
Jan, %, 1889: Here in Samoa we
have war times and excitement.
Germany has declared war against
Mataafa and proclaimed martial
law here and in Samoa. ] have
protested against this martial-law
business, and think it has had ben
eficial effect. They, in their proc
lamation, said in case citizens of
of Apia did not give in II list of
their arms, ammunition, ETC., they
would be deported or imprisoned.
told in writing, Capt. Fritze, of
the Adler, that in the whole juris-
prudence of my country there was
no such punishment. They had a
proclamation printed on Jan. 23,
and ready to publish on the cocoa
nut trees, etc., but my protest had
the effect of stopping this. This
proclamation spoke of ofienses and
penalties, death, deportation, shoot
ing, hard labor, Imprisonment &c.
They do not hold Apia, nor have
they invaded Samoa; hence, under
English and American law, cannot
proclaim martial law. But they
say German law is different.
Things are all exciting here. They
are at war at Mataafa, but all their
proclamations are directed against
foreigners. They carry on high
game here, and our Government
has but one vessel while they have
three good ships.
81 hear by way of Auckland that
we will have moro ships here. God
only knows how this affair will
end. The Samoans do not want
Germany to annex their island,
but have long ago asked both the
United States and England to take
them. Their old king, Malietoa,
was deported year ago, first to
Germany, then to the cost of Africa
and then to Marshalls Island, to
the north of Samoa, where he is
now. am kept busy from morn
ing till night, and have been since
the 7th of December, when the
Adams left for California. My
mail by this steamer will be the
heaviest 1 have yet had, and my
several reports to the Secretary
are quite lengthy, full, and giving
every item that has occurred.
"The little paper published here,
The Samoan Times, has been sup
pressed by the Germans. On jan
uary the German consulate, Ger
man, German cOnsul's house &c,
were burned. Loss, 100000. 1t
was the greatest fire ever in Apia |
1 sent men to render aid. 1 got
thanked in public proclamation
a copy of which 1 send you.
1 think, and certainly hope, all
my actions in this Samoa business
will be approved by the govern
ment, for the state of Samoa was
never in such condition, and am
here alone just at the top and in the
midst of it all, and of course the
is great. 1 hear Ger
many intends sending out troops.
About January l, l sent Lieut..
to Auckland to telegraph
to the Secretary and he will be
back about February 2. The Ger
man consul at Auckland chartered
a small English steamer the other
day and sent her here with impor-
tant German dispatches, but what
these dispatches were no one but
Germans know."-Washington
Star.
Farm Notes.
Early turnips can be sown after