The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-01-20
WAR Is INEVITABLE.
Cowardly Actions Of Germans
in Samoa.
WHAT WILL THE HARVEST BE2
Firing Upon the American Flag-The
Great Warriors Kill Women and
Children-Othsr Samoan Items.

steamer Alameda arrived this morning
from Australia, and New Zealand via
Samoa and Honolulu. A correspond
ent at Apia under Samoa date of
January 5th, says: 1.-The most serious
state of affairs exists in Samoa. On the
night of December 18th, sailors from
the German men-ofwar Adler, Olsa
and Eber attacked Matasfa's soldiers,
under directions of the German consul
and Captain Fritz, senior German naval
officer. As result of the encounter
twenty-five German sailors were killed
ald thirty-two wounded. Since then
the German war ships have burned
American houses and flags; they tore
down the United States flags, seized
American citizens in neutral water of
Apis harbor, and taken them prisoners
on board the German men-of-war.
They have also
FIRED UPON THE AMERICAN FLAG.
Tamasese's men were reported to be
becoming more dissatisfied daily and
there were frequent assertions from his
ranks.
December u h-The German man of
war Olga arrived firm Marshall Islands,
bringing the deposed King Malieto. On
the night of December 10Th large party
of German soldiers went ashore at Apia
and entered the stores and houses in
search OF Americans and Englishmen.
They met George Scanlon, United
Of aio ond MnrriS
Snyder, also an Ameaican citizen, on
the street, and after provoking quar-
rel, stabbed both of them, ln1icting
serious injury. The Germans then ran
through the streets attacking all per-
sons they met, except Germans and
the adherents of Tamasese, injuring
among others several
NATIVE WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
Some OF Mataafa's soldiers came in
from the bush and were anxious to
shoot, but were refrained on the advice
of United States Consul Blackjack.
On December 18th, Blackjack sent a
protest to the German consul. That
night Tamasese's secretary wrote to his
wife in Apia that the Germans would
attack the town named Mataafsatele
during the night. This town is two
miles above Apia, and a number OF
Mataafa's men were there. The
woman told one of her relatives, who
in turn sent word to Mstaafa's soldiers,
and before midnight 200 armed men as
sembled on the shore to await for the
appearance of the German boats. An
American newspaper man named
JOHN c. KLEIN
accompanied Mataafa's men to witness
the proceedings in the interest of his
paper. About O'CLOCK a m. two Ger
man boats were seen approaching.
Matsafa's men asked Klein to notify
the German men not to land, as it
would be regarded as hostile. This was
done, and the two boats pulled to q
village called Valiel, four miles from
Apra. A third boat kept along the
coast, and when opposite Mataafa.-
atele pulled straight into the shore. A
number of German soldiers arose from
the bottom of the boat and waded
ashore. Some of Mataafa's men CAGE
up and the Germans began firing at
them. The natives did not return ths
ere. The Germans soon
LANDED AND TOOK SHELTER
behind some rising ground and at once
opened fire upon Mataafa's men.
Within a minute fully zoo shots had
been fired by the Germans and the
black laborers employed on the Ger
man plantation. Mataafa' reinforce
ments began TO arrive from Mateata =
ateIe, and as they came up a heavy
firing was heard from the direction of
Varlel. In few minutes chief ar
rived and said the Germans were firing
on Mataafa's men there. They were
afraid to return the fire, although
Chief Savay and his son were killed.
The messenger asked Kle il they
would be justified In returning tine fire,
but he
DECLINED TO ADVISE THEM.
The United States vice consul at Apia
also refused to advice them. Shortly
afterwards natives came into Apia from
Easile and Vallejo, saying Mataafa's
men have driven the German sailors
from the breastworks from the former
place. At Vailele there were about 150
sailors. These were joined by their
comrades from Faseli, and together
tUcy OAAAO0 q ASAAOW 6QAhLO oA0 OOBoA
firing on Mataafa's men. Soon after,
two of the latter having been killed,
they began to return the fire, shooting
from behind trees and bushes. The
sailors became panic-stricken. and
despite the efforts of their officers,
threw away their guns and ran into the
German plantation houses and bushes.
They were followed by the natives who
shot them wherever they found them
Lieutenant Mieger, of the Olga, was
SHOT AND KILLED
while trying to rally his men. Two
other officers were wounded. a num-
Der of sailors managed to make their
escape by Jumping into the boats and
putting out to sea. They were picked
up by the Eber, which had come up on
hearing the firing. The bodies Of the
dead German sailors were taken off the
following day. Mstaafas men retired
without firing On the village or doing
any further damage. At o'clock De-
cember 18th, the German man-of-war