Omaha daily bee., 1889-05-13
MORE NEWS FROM APIA.


ENtrythInN SnIet fenubnp INC DecIs-
ion ofthc Berlin Conference.
lCopWf0ht 1850 bv NelD York Associated Prcss.l
AprA, Samoa, April 27.--(via San Fran
cisco)-Nearly all the survivors of the
wrecked German war ships have gone to
Sydney, and CIV American sailors who COM
posed the crews of the Trenton and Wanda.
liza are waiting for q steamer to take them to
San Francisco. The Trenton and vandaia
have not changed much during the last
MONTH Both vessels are complete wrecks
A considerable quantity of clothing and pro-
visions were saved from the Trenton after
the storm, and all the machine guns on the
spar were taken ashore. The work of re-
moving her heavy battery occupied four
weeks, King Mataafa sending many of his
men to their aid. The guns and carriages
weighed over hundred tons, but their re-
moval did not seem to tighten the Trenton in
the least.
Admiral Kimberly will enueavor to also
remove the Vandalia's battery Half a
dozen native divers have worked faithfully
or her every day, and hundreds OF dollars
worth of stores have been saved by them.
When the Nipsic was hauled to the reef it
was found she had been damaged consid-
erably, the engines and boilers being
sprung, the rudder and smokestack gone
and several inches of her keel scraped
sci. Temporary repairs were made
with the intention of sending the vessels to
Auckland Some .of the officers made OBJ
lection to her going to sea, and declared her
unsafe. The admiral arranged with tramp
steamer to convey the Nipsic to Auckland,
ana then sent the Nipsc out for a trial trip
A sharp sQuall came up as she was going out
of the haroor, and in short time the tenn
porary ruddcr gave way, leaving the Nipsic
adrltt without any steering apparatus. BY
the prompt use of sails she was swung
around with her head towards the sea, when
she steamed at full speed to position off the
reef The tramp steamer went out and
towed her back In the harbor. The admiral
will send her to Auckland as soon rs another
rudder can be made and proved secure.
The most important political event which
has occurred here was the issuance, by Ad-
miral Kimberly, on April II, of proc!ama
end end to the ~ war. The admiral
strongly urges that fighting cease and
that the people reunite for the good of
their country. He stated that he had pre-
pared paper that could be signed by both
parties who desired to obtain peace and es-
tablish order. He had the proclamation
translated into the Samoan language and
distributed all over the island. Captain
FarQuhar, OF the Trenton, was sent to lay
the matter before Tamasese and to request
him to distribute the circulars among his
men. Tamasese received the delegation
very courteously and replied that he, too.
desired to see the war closed, and prom,
ised to distribute the circulars. He said
writing later. Admiral Kimberly stated to
the Associated press correspondent that he
had issued the proclamation after confer
ences with Mataafa, and because he felt
natives in establishing peace. He had inter-
viewed the German and British consuls, but
found they could do nothing to assist him, SO
he determined to issue the pro-
clamatlon entirely upon his own respon-
sibility The admiral believed the present
favorable. hODPd
proclamation would sooner or later have the
effect of drawing the parties together. He
said that there is nothing in his notices that
either party can object to, and the paper,
which he has prepared to be signed is to be
used only in the event of the natives agree
ing upon some plan Of action.
His desire was to assist the Berlin confer.
ence by bringing about such condition OF
Samoa Immediately upon the conclusion of
the conference. He had advised Mataafa to
remain perfectly quiet.
On April % the Admiral received
letter from Tamasese, the latter
signing himself as ''Kiug OF Samoa" He
declined to make any ovcrtures for peace at
present, though he said he desired to have
the war brought TO close, and would like 10
see the same condition in Samoa as in the
the latter part of 1887. This was Just after
Maietoa had been deposed by the Germans,
and Tumasese installed. Tamasese also
offered to forgive Mataafa and all his
| men il they would throw down
would not consider any proposition Of peace
until the conclusion of the Berlin confer,
ence Mataafa and Tamasese afterwards
agreed upon a atemporary truce, and promised
Admiral Kimberly that they would do moth
| ing to alter the peaceablc state of affairs
| until after the Berlin conference adjourned.
Notwithstanding the precautions against
the sale of liquor, the naval officers had
| more or less trouble with drunken sailors
! who had been able in some way to secure
| liquor. On various occasions several oi
| them have been severely punished.
Not more than one-third OF the bodies OF
| the victims of the storm have been recovered
| and it is supposed the greater number were
either washed out to sea or are fastened in
| the coral reefs