New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-18


declared war against Mataafa and bis followers no
notified all citizens of the United States tnat pney
were forbidden to take part in any hostile opera
tous on either side. and that as long as they TO
mained nsa -combatants they were enutleo 10 per-
sonal immunity and protection. 1t was Iurcner
announced that any offence committed against
American subjects their property would oe an
offence against the laws of war, and ougnU 'o 10
at once reported to the United States Vice-con-
snl in order that the offender or offenders might
be brought to jusmce, n- c,soo,,
cantain Fritz sent letter to hr. Cusack'
,,,S,;shar Of 1.-THE Samoan Times" IN
tho afternoon, informing him that the
uano- had been suppressed from that
- hacause of an inhammatory article when
hoS onneared in the issue of January o. in which
:. -. soid among other things. that 1amasese
Ia Lost fan been driven from Muhnuo Point py
+1e roap-ofwar Adams. because of an insult to the
Ar,orioan flag there. and also on account oil other
IT, steamer wanui, small British vessel. ar
,s,od from Wellington, N. a., early on the morning
% January 23, bringing special dispatches for the
oorr0on consul On the afternoon of the same
49,. .be German consul went to Mataafa's camp
ond was received by the latter's chiefs Mataafa
not annealing The German consul told them that
. declaration of war and the establishment OF
martial law had been directed against oil English
residents Of Samoa who had been giving Mataafa
evil advice and assistance against the Germans.
who were only anxious to be good friends with
All Samoans In case Mataafa and his people re-
fused TO make peace. said the German consul, the
Fmperor of Germany had given him authority to
ecnd for all the men-of-war, soldiers and cannon
bo desired The chiefs informed the consuls that
thew would make no terms Of peace unless promise
nresenee of the consuls, that Tamasese and
Braudeis would be sent out Of the country, and
assurances given that Germany would not attempt
n take advantage Of King Mataafa and his gov
eminent after II was established On the same
dav that this meeting took place, Captain Fritz
annouuced that he would thereafter exercise
lice control in Samoa. Vice-Consul BladHlock
declined to recognize this proclamation. Before
evening Captain Fritz had issued another procla-
nation. in which he requested all civilians OF
Ania TO give information TO the German officer
Of the guard on shore of the number Of firearms
and quantity of ammunition in their possession
on or before tho evening of January % All
firearms and ammunition were 70 DO ofncaly
sealed and all arms and ammunition OF which
no information had been given were TO be seized
and the owner or owners of the same punished
by imprisonment or By deportation. captain
MuIan wrote some vigorous letters TO Captiin
Fritz on the evening of January "a, protesting
In the name of the United States Government
against the latter's proclamation Of the previous
day concerning the police in Apia The govern
ment of Tamasese, said Captain mnllan, had
never been recognized by the United States
Government AS TO the possession Of the fire.
arms by American residents Of Apia, no power
has authority to take possession of them, unless
used against friendly power or while in transit
for such use Captain Mulan also said that In
his opinion the condition and state Of war In
Samoa did not warrant martial law being pro
claimed The civil courts in Apia still existed
and were in operation and II any citizen offended
against the law they could be tried there Martial
law could not arise from threatened invasion
The necessity must be actual and present. ana
invasion real Referring again TO the Prochnia-
ton concerning firearms and threonninG
IMPRISONMENT and deportation, Captain
Munan said that. even II necessity
for martial law had arisen, the proclamation OF
Captain Fritz in regard to firearms was unprece-
dented, uncalled for and surprising-one which
would astonish the citizens Of all free countries
The American captain added that he would call
the attention of his Government specially TO this
.rrocIamation. which was without warrant OF law
and subversfve of free government having due
regard for the safety OF it's citizens captain
Fritz replied TO this that lac would leave the
question as 10 his authority 70 declare martial
law to his superior officials in Germany.