The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-20

in turn sent word 10 Mataaia's soldiers
Before midnight 100 armed men had as
scmblei on shore, n short distance abpy,
the English Consulate, and, concealin.
themselves in the bush, waited for the an
pearance OF the German boats, which, Il
was said, would contain number vi
lnmascses's men, rs well rs German sail
ors, who hid been brought from Saluaiati
10y the Olga An American newspaper
man named John G. Klein accompanied
the Matnnla men 90 witness the proceed
ings in the interest Of his paper. About 2
O'Clock OF the morning three German men
ol-war boats approa he'd about half mil,
above the British Consulate and were dis.
tinctly seen 10y the British Consul. Il
was evidently their intention to land and
proceed 10 Matafagatele on foot
Soldiers OF Mataafa's gathered OF
shore AMI asked Klein 10 ash
the German not TO land M II would b,
regarded ~ a hostile act, and that thcy
would be fired upon. This was shouted
20 them when the boats were fifty ward.
from the shore. The boats came on 20.
ward the shore and when they received
second warning two boats then pulled on,
toward the sea aud went 20 a village
called Vailele, four miles from Apia. A
third boat kept along the coast, being fol.
lowed by Mataaia' ssodiers. When oppo.
site Matafagatclc the boat pulled straight
across the bay TO point on the other OK.
trcmiiy. A Mataafa chief, followed by
eight or nine men, ran around the edge oi
the bay TO intercept the boat. When
opposite the village Of Nailclc the boat
pulled rapidly Tor the shore. At the same
time three men on horseback carrying Ian.
terms rode outoi the bush and signalled the
men Ia the boats. simultaneously annmbcr
OF German soldiers rose from the bottom
OF the boat, whore they bad been con.
ccaled, and began to walo ashore. Some
OF Mataaia's men hadcome upin the mean.
timo and the Germans began shooting
at them. The natives did not return the
fire. The Germans were soon landed and
took shelter behind some rising ground.
As soon "A they gained this position they
nt once opened fire on Mntania's men.
Within minute fully 200 shots had been
fired by the Germans aud black laboicrs,
natives of other islands, who were em.
ployod on German plantations. In the
meantime Matnaii's rciniorccments began
10 arrive from Mataiagatelo and rs they
came up heavy yolley firing could bo
heard from tho direction OF Nailclc, aud
IN a lew minutes chief arrived
aud said the Germans were firing on
Malaaia's \ men there, who were afraid 10
ieturn the fire, although the Germans had
already killed Sayay Chief aud his son.
The chief who came NJ n messenger asked
Klein II they would be justified in return.
ing tue fire on the Germans, but lac de-
clinod TO advise them, but requested the
high chici 10 accompany The latter 30 Apia
10 obtain the opinion OF the United States
Wee Consul, but the Consul refused TO
give any advice. Shortly aiierward the
natives came into Apia from Fascli and
Nailelc, saying that Mataaia's men had
driven the German sailors from tho breast.
works. Black laborcn had run into the
bush and refused 10 light longer. The
Germans had run along the. beach TO
Nailele at such a rapid rate that the native
soldiers could not oyeriake them. AZ
Vallejo there were about $50 sailors, ono
boat load having been landed there dur.
ing the night by the German man .oi.war
Eber. AZ Nailclc, sailors who had fled
from Iagcli joined their comrades who
had left Ia the two other boats and also
the ail0rs from Eber. They formed A
square and began shooting al Mataaia's 8
men. soon after two Of the latter had
been Killed they began 20 return the FIRE.
The native soldiers began 10 increase In
number, attracted by the firing, and shot
from behind the trees and from the
bushes. The sailors became panic
stricken and, despite the efforts
oi their three officers, threw away