The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-04-15

AlJnOQRn l4O men lOSG Inelf lives during
the storm there nave not been more than
forty bodies recovered. For the first day
or two the bodies of the Americans were
buried in the cemetery connected with the
London mission, and the bodies of the Ger
mans were buried in the French Catholic
cemetery, but it soon became impossible to
identify the bodies, and owing to the warm
climate it was necessary TO bury them
where they were found A number of
rough cOffins were made, but num-
ber of bodies we. 9 buried in native mats.
Some of the bodies were terribly mutt
lated by the beating for hours against the
coral reefs. Paymaster Armes' body was
recovered two days after the storm. 1t
was positively identified by the clothing
and a ring which he wore. The body was
in terrible condition and was buried in the
mats where it was washed ashore. Some
of the natives also found a body about
the same time four miles up the coast,
and from the description which they gave
it was believed to be that Of Capt. Schoon-
maker, but Identification was not positive.
The bodies of Lieut.. Sutton and Pay Clerk
Roach have not been recovered.
MEMORIAL SERVICES.
On Friday, March %, the Germans held
memorial services at the French
Catholic church. Admiral Kimberly,
Capt. FarQuahar, Consul Blac dock
tended, and a guard of honor from
the United States war shipstwas also pres
ent. The American memorial services were
| held Sunday, March "a, in the large yard
in which the Trenton's men have their
quarters The services were very brief and
were conducted by Chaplain McAllister of
the Trenton Over 700 men from the three
American men-of- war were present, but
none of the German officers attended. The
storm does not seem to have
change the political situation of
Samoa so far as the natives are
concerned. Both parties are still encamped
in the same positions they have occupied
| for several months past. Mataafa's men
have not given the slightest intimation that
they intend to take advantage of the un-
prepared condition of the Germans, and it
is not thought that they will make an
| attack Eup0n Tamasese. The Ger
man consul, DR.. Knappe, is
still pursuing the spiteful course
which has always characterized his admin
istration of affairs here. Notwithstanding
the noble work of the Samoans in saving
the lives of the Germans during the storm,
DR.. Knappe posted printed notices a few
days later declaring that the Samoans daily
steal produce from the German plantations,
and warning the public not to purchase
anything from them. Capt. Fritz has not
yet recovered from the injuries received
during the storm.
MATAAFA's VIEWS ON THE CONFERENCE.
The Associated Press correspondent had
an interview with Mataafa and the princi-
pal chiefs prior to the great storm in regard
to the proposed conference in Germany.
King Mataafa discussed the matter freely,
but answered all inquiries with modest
deliberation. While he did not seem
to believe that the conference would have
any beneficial results so far as the native
Samoans were concerned, he expressed a
strong desire that the American and British
representatives might be able to effect a
solution of the present difficulty and restore
the former Samoan government and insure
peace and prosperity to the island. Ma
taafa declared he had nothing to hope for
from Germany; that all the wars among
the natives in Samoa and the bloodshed
which had occurred during the last few
months were due to German interference,
and that the German representatives here
had made so many misstatements to him
that he could no longer place any confidence
in their promises or their professed desire
| for peace.
KNAPPE's PROPOSAL.
Mataafa showed the correspondent the
original letter written TO him by DR..
Knappe, the German consul, after the re-
cent Fl ght between the Germans and Sa
means, in which letter the consul addressed
Mataafa as your majesty, the king" de-
clared that he desired that there be no
more war between Germans and Samoans,
and made the proposal that the Sa-
means should rule over things on the
islands pertaining to Samoa, and
that Germany should rule over
| things pertaining TO foreigners. Mataafa
| did not reply to Dr.. Knappe's letter making
| the proposition for dual government. At
the tune this interview was held with Ma
| taafa the Trenton, with Admiral Kimberly
| aboard, had not reached Apia, and the ma
tives were looking eagerly to the admiral's s
arrival. Mataafa was asked by the Associ-
ated Press correspondent if he expected any
assistance from the American admiral, and
| he replied promptly that he was looking for
| such assistance
WHAT HE COUNTED ON.
He did not say that he expected the ad-
miral to act as his ally in making war upon
the German, in fact he disavowed any de-
| sire to carry on war against Tamasese's
forces. His chief desire seemed to be to
| bring the strife to a close as quickly as pos
siule and to allow the 5000 warriors, now
| encamped behind breastworks, to return to
their homes and resume their peaceful oc-
oupations which they followed before King
| Malietoa was carried Off by the German
forces. Mataafa stated that the assistance
| he expected from Admiral Kimberly he
| believed would come IN Jne form OF an EN-
| phatic protest against any further German
| interference. He believed that the admiral
| would force the Germans to cease their op-
| erations against the natives, and also to re-
| quire them to render no more assistance TO
| Tamasese, which must thereby bring the
war TO a close, as Tamaseses 5 forces were 80
greatly reduced that without assistance
| from the Germans there was little or moth
| ing to fear from them.
MATAAFA's PERSONAL APPEARANCE.
Mataafa is a large finely proportioned man,
and is about 30 years Of age. he is re-
garded by the white residents Of Samoa as
FAR superior TO his predecessor. His camp
is located on a high plateau about a mile
back of Apia The kings headquarters are
| near the principal entrance TO the camp in
an ordinary Samoan house, but little better
than the other structures that are
scattered around it, Mataafa's flag floats
from staff from in front Of the house,
long lines OF stone breastworks extend
around the camp, which, with tho steep
sides which ascend to the plateau from the
valleys and low lands lying around it, make
the position particularly strong one. A
great number Of cocoanut trees cover the
entire incosure, and there is heavy
growth Of brush in the surrounding
country.
The Associated Press correspondent
called on Mataafa again after the arrival Of
Admiral Kimberly. The king said it was
the happiest day of the year for all Of the
SamOans.