Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-09
AFFAIRS AT SAMOA.
What the Commander of the Nipsic
Says in a Private Letter.

The following extract from the last letter from
Capt. Mullan, commanding the United States
ship 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 a
higher hand than has been generally supposed.
The letter is written 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. 1 have protested
against this martial-law business, and think it
has had beneficial effect. They, in their proc
lamation. said in case citizens of Apia did not
give in a list of their arms, ammunition. ETC..
they would be deported or imprisoned. | told
in writing, Capt. Fritze. of the Adler, that in
the whole Jurisprudence of my country there
was such punishment. They had a procla-
nation printed on Jan. %. and readyto publish
on the cocoanut trees, etc., but my protest
had the effect of stopping this. This procla-
nation spoke of Offenses and penalties-death
deportation, shooting, hard labor imprison-
ment, &c. They do not hold Apa, nor have
they invaded Samoa; hence, under English and
American law, cannot proclaim martial law
But they say German law is different Things
are ali exciting here. They are at war with
rected against foreigners. They carry on a
high game here, and our government has but
one vessel while they have three good ships
Il hear by way Of Auckland that we will have
more 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 England and the United States
to take them. Their old king. Maletoa, was
deported year ago. first to Germany, then to
the coast of Africa and then to Marshalls Hand,
to the north of Samoa, where he is now. / am
kept busy from morning to night, and have
been since the 7th of December. when the
Adams left for California. My mail by this
steamer will be the heaviest l 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 suppressed by the Germans.
On January the German consulate, German
consuls house. de-, were burned. Loss, $780,
600. II was the greatest fire ever in Apia.
sent men to render aid. 1 got thanked in a
public proclamation copy of which l send
you.
Il think, and certainly hope, all my actions in
this Samoan business will be approved by the
government. for the state of Samoa was never
i'll such condition, and am here alone just
at the top and in the midst of it all. and of
course the responsibility is great. hear Ger
many intends sending out troops. About jan
egraph to the Secretary and he will be back on
February 2. The German consul at Auckland
chartered small English steamer the other
day and sent her here with important German
dispatches, but what these dispatches were no
one but Germans know ~