, 1889-02-17

u. Ia. Hamilton, manned by two natives,
was seized by an armed boat from the
German ship Alder while in the neutral
waters of Apia harbor. The boat was at
forwards released and when an explana-
ton was demanded by Consul Blackjack.
Consul Knappe replied that it was be-
cause the boat did not display any ma
tional flag. The English steamer Rich
mond arrived in Apia harbor shortly be-
fore dark on the 18th. At l O'Clock in
the morning IN the 10Th the Richmond
was boarded by an armed boats crew
from the Alder. The officer In command
informed the captain of the Richmond
that war had been declared by Germany
against Samoa; that the harbor had been
blockaded and martial law declared. The
captain was also further told that no
freight would be allowed to be taken from
the Richmond unless taken directly to the
wharf of the German trading company,
where it would be opened and the pro-
priety of admitting it be passed upon by
Beckmann, manager of the German firm,
and a person who was in no way con-
nected with the German government in
an official capacity.
This proceeding on the part of the
German war ship verified the belief that
the German consul had received impor-
tant news from his government. Soon
after 9 O'Clock in the morning a procla-
nation printed in English and German,
not in Samoa, was issued by the German
consul proclaiming a state of war for the
Samoan islands; that any assistance to
the rebels would be punished by martial
law irrespective of any nationality, that
the introduction OF a contraband of war
was prohibited. and that all vessels and
boats were liable to be searched by the
German authorities and hat the police Of
Apia would henceforth act under instruc-
tons from the imperial German govern
ment.
An hour after this document had been
issued a boat belonging to II. 5. Moore,
an American merchant who had gone
alongside the Richmond to obtain freight,
was seized by a German guard boat.
When the seizure was reported to Vice
Consul Blackjack he at once communi
Gated with Capt. Mullen, who wrote to
Capt. Fritz of the Adler demanding an
explanation ofthe seizure and asking that
the boat be at once released. The Ger
man captain replied that Germany had
declared war against Samoa and the boat
was seized because Moore refused to land
his goods at the German wharf. At 3
o'clock in the afternoon the German cap
tain gave his consent that the boat be
released and allowed Moore to land a few
head of cattle and sheep at his own wharf,
but insisted that all other than live freight
be landed at the wharf of the German
firm.
Vice Consul Blackjack addressed a let
ter to Consul Kuappe requesting him to
explain in plain terms whether Germany
had declared war against Samoa, and also
if maj tial law existed. After several
hours the German consul sent a reply say
ing: by order of the imperial govern
ment the German consul has proclaimed
martial law for Samoa until further no.
tice." No referen ce..was made in the let
ter as to the declaration of war. Capt,
Mullen thereupou called upon Capt.
Frtze and inquired if war had or had not
been declared by Germany. The German
captain informed Capt. Mullen that war
had not been declared by Germany.
Later, Capt. Fritze once more changed
his statement. and told the American Off
Ger that war had been declared.
On the afternoon of the Goth the Brit
ish ship Longfellow arrived in port from
the Pauline islands bound for Queens
town with guano, having been obliged to
put in for provisions. She was immedi-
dICll SClLtu ny llG pGILldlS, Dul dllGT
her papers were found to be clear, the
commander of the English war ship de-
manded her release AMI the German
guards left her. On the afternoon of the
Goth a proclamation was issued by the
British consul notifying British subjects
tha. Notwithstanding the German procla-
nation they were still subject only to the
authority of h queens representative.
An hour later the German captain issued
a proclamation, notifying the British that
Notwithstanding their %consul's notice, they
were under martial law and should they
in any way interfere with the authority
they would be seized and tried accord
ingly.
That evening John G. Klein, American
newspaper correspondent, who has at
tanned much notoriety in connection with
the troubles, received secret information
that Capt. Fritze and the German consul
had decided to arrest him under martial
law, try him and either execute or report
him to the marshal of the islands.
On the night of Jan. 81 John G. Klein
was taken on board the Nipsic for safety.
A few DAYS later Capt. Fritze sent a letter
to Capt Mullen requesting that Klein be
delivered to him for trial for his partici-
patton in the battle of Dec. IS. Capt.
Mullen replied briefly that the alleged
charges against Klein could be settled
only by the governments at Washington
and Berlin and that he positively refused
to deliver him up. Klein was then taken
by the Nipsic to Qutalia and placed on
board the steamer Mariposa.
At 7 o'clock the following morning
armed guards from the Adler went on
board the English merchant steamer
Richmond and arrested an English tour
list named Gillen, taking him on board
the Olga. They claimed that Gillen was
arrested because he was believed to be a
spy. The English consul and the cap
tain of the English war vessel protested
against this arrest and notified the Ger
mans that Gillen would be taken BY force
if necessary. He was then released. A
proclamation was issued on Jan. 81 by
Vice Consul Blackjack notifying Ameri-
can citizens of the German proclamation
of war and f~orbidding them to take part
in the hostile operations on the other
side and that as long as they remained