The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-20

taafas men. Soon after two OF the latter
had been killed they began 10 return the
fire and the native soldiers began to in
crease in numbers, attracted by the firing,
and shot from behind trees and from the
bushes.
THE SAILORS PANIC STRICKEN.
The sailors became panic stricken, and
despite the efforts Of their three officers
threw away their guns, and ran under the
German plantation houses in the vicinity
and into the bush. They We're followed by
the natives, who shot item wherever they
found them. Lieut.. Sieger of the Olga was
shot and killed while trying to rally bis men
Two other officers were also wounded. A
number Of sailors managed TO make their
escape by jumping into boats and pulling
out to sea. The were picked up by the
Eber The dead German sailors were left
lying on tue ground, whore they were
found and taken away under cover Of the
Germa1 ships on the following duy.
Mataafas soldiers retired without burning
or causing damage to property.
DEPARTURE OF THE FLEET.
At o'clock on the morning of Dec 10
the German man.of war Adler left A pa,
sending word to the commander of the
United States war ship Nipsic that the
German consul was on board and that he
was going to Saluafata to stop the fight
ing. The notice came only five minutes
before the Adler sailed, and the Nipsic was
unable TO follow for some time. When she
did the Olga also followed to Lstonga,
where the Adler and Eber we're found, both
ships being cleared for action. During the
morning Consul Blackjack received a note
from the German consul saving that the
German men of war were going to the coast
to stop tho fighting in behalf of an effective
protection Of German interest, and also to
disarm the Mataafa and Tamassee forces. -
THE CONSUL PROTESTS.
Consul Blackjack protested, in the name
Of tie United States, against the action of
the German consul, which would place the
lives and property Of Americans in the
greatest danger, and also protested that
their act on was in direct conflict with the
po wers conferred upon the representatives
of the three treaty nations. Soon after the
Nipsic arrived at Latongo Capt. Mullan,
with three of the ships officers, went
on board the Adler and de-
mauded Commander Knappe's reason
for having declared his intenti on to stop
the war without consulting the cousuls.
The German consnl replied discourteously
to Capt, Mullan, and said that he would
hold no communication with an American
naval captain, and would be responsible for
his acts TO his government.
NOAitE Of bDhBAhDMENls
Soon after this the captain of the Adler
sent word to Capt. Mulan, who had re-
turned to the Nipsic, that he intended to
lombard Lady before dark. a protest
was sent TO the captain of the
Adler, as the latter had shown
no instruction to notify Mataafa to
remove the women aud children. Capt.
Mullan sent one of his officers ashore for the
purpose. The Adler did not lombard the
town that night but returned on the follow
ing morning and began TO lombard Lady,
which had been evacuated the night
previous. 1hirty-four shells were
fired by the Adler, and then four boat loads
Of sailors were landed from the Olga and
Adler, who burned the village, including
two small Roman Catholic churches. The
ships then returned to Apia.
MATAAFA ORDERED TO SURRENDER.
On Dec IS Consul Knappe had sent let
ter to Mataafa telling him that the German
ships would she'll his village unless be came
on board the German man-of- y ar before
noon on Dec. 20 and caused his people to
give up all their guns Mataafa did not
reply to this letter, but sent
back word after the battle that he was
sorry to kill the German sailors, but that
Samoans Intended 10 fight for their libert Y
and would fight whoever attacked them
On the afternoon of Dec. 20th the thres
cODsuis met to arrive at some settlement of
tie trouble. Mataafa's presence was de-
sIred by the United States and British
coasuls, but the German consul refused to
meet him and the meeting had no result.
ACTED LIKE A DESPOT.
On the following day the German consul
issued proclamation ordering the SamOans
10 bring their firearms on board the Olga
during the day, announcing tnat If this was
a
lage of Mataafastele. Consul Blackjack at
once returned protest, and at the same
time infoi med him that E. S. Hamilton,
an American citizen, and formerly
United States vice consul in Apia, owned
three houses in Mataafastele, over
which the American flag had been placed
and adding that if this property was dam
aged tho German government would be
held responsible. The German consul made
no reply At about o'clock on the morn
ing Of the 2lst, the Olga went to Mataa-
fastele, anchoring one mile from the
shore.
THE INSULT TO AMERICA.
At Q o'clock she began throwing shells, no
SamOans having come on board with arms
After firing twenty live shells the vessel
sent three boat loads ashore and destroyed
the village by fire. Mr.. Hamiltons houses
we're burned, and his flag torn down
dul pAIl.dily OuI lltl. lIdEucuLS u
it were sent to Col. Blackjack,
who forwarded them to Secretary
Bayard. The German consul afterward
wrote to Consul Blackjack, and declared
that ne had been informed that Americans
had led Mataafa's forces on the night Of
Dec. Is, and fired the first shot. Consul
Blackjack replied that he had Investigated
the rumor and found it to be untrue.
On Dec u a boat from tho German man
of-war Olga was chasing a native boat in
neutral waters. opposite the American con-
sulate. The Germans fired a number II
shots in direct range of a boat containing
two English officers, who narrowly escaped
being shot. The commander Of the Olga
afterwards apologized to the English Off
GERS.
AN AMERICAN SEIZED.
Charles Brown, an American citizen who
was On shore, was requested by the English
officers % ask tho Germans 70 cease shoot
ing. Tue Germans seized Brown, carried
him on board the war snip Euer, aud after
handling him roughly released him. The
Germans have made no further assaults
upon villages since the hoinoardment NJ
Mataafustsle and are evidently awaiting
reinfotc-meuts. Should they make L
second attack upon Mataafa's forces they
woud certainly be defeated as tho latter