Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-04-15

Samoan houses in Apia and allow the
American sailors to have the use of
them. Admiral Kimberly thanked
Mataafa warmly, but stated to him that
it would be almost impossible t. con troll
the men if they were scattered around
among the natives.
sPoILING THE HELPLESS.
There is no immediate danger of pro.
visions being exhausted. Several par
ties have taken advantage of the help
less condition of the shipwrecked men
and have made a strong advance in the
price of necessary articles. Before the
storm, also, business men were giving
premium of thirty and thirty-fve per
cent for United States gold in exchange
for South American silver, which is the
currency in use here, but in the last
week the merchants have forced the
rate of exchange down to twenty per
cent,
BAD HYGIENIC CONDITIONS.
The officers and men of the Vandalia
lost nearly everything, and great many
on the Trenton Jared but little better.
The officers are scattered all over the
town and have secured such acGommoda-
tions as they can find. Many are living
in native houses. There has been no
local government in Apia for many
months, owing to the wars between the
natives. Consequently the sanitary con-
dition of the town is very poor. The lit
tie streams are choked up. Vegetation
has been allowed to grow without check
and garbage is emptied everywhere. The
men are obliged to work on the wrecks
~, bOf C,-Y, orI kb,ora ;, oooc;lo.olI,
danger of fever.
BURIAL OF THE BODIES.
Although 146 men lost their lives dur
ing the storm, there have not been
more than forty bodies recovered. For
the first day or two, the bodies
OF the AmeriC ans we're buried in the
cemetery connected with the London
Mission and the bodies of the Germans
were buried in the French Catholic
cemetery, but that soon became i'm
possible, as the bodies, owing to the
warm climate, had to be buried where
they were found. A number of rough
c9fins were made, but many of the
bodies were buried In native mats. Some
of the hodies were horribly mutilated by
beating for hours against the coral reefs.
Paymaster Arms's body was recovered
two days after the storm. 1t was posi-
lively identified by the clothing and a
ring which he wore.
CAPTAIN scHooNMAKER's REMAINS.
Some natives also found body about
tho same time four miles up the coast,
and, from the description which they
gave, it was believed to be that of Cap
tain Schoonmaker, but the Identification
was not positive. The bodies OF Lieu
tenant Sutton and Fay Clerk Roach
have not been recovered.
MEMORIAL SERVICES.
On Friday, March 22d, the Germans
held memorial services at the French
Catholic Church. Admiral Kimberly,
Captain Farquhar, Consul Blakelock and
many other Americans attended and
guards OF honor from the United States
war ships were also present. The
on Sunday morning, March 24.h, in the
large yard in which the Trenton men
have their quarters. The services were
very brief and were conducted by Chap
lain McAllister of the Trenton. Over
seven hundred men from the three
American men-of-war were present, but
none OF the German officers attended.
NATIVES STILL AT WAR.
The storm does not seem to havt
changed the political situation at Samos
30 far as the natives are concerned. Botf
parties are still encamped in the same
positions they have occupied for several
months past.
INTERVIEW WITH METAAFA.
The Associated Press correspondent
had an interview with Metaafa and his
principal chiefs prior to the great storm
In regard to the proposed Berlin confer
ence. The King discussed the matter
freely, but answered all inquiries with
great deliberation. He expressed 6
strong desire that the American anc
British representatives. might be able tc
effect solution OF the present difficulty
restore the former Samoan Government
and insure peace and prosperity to the
islands.
NO USE FOR THE GERMANS.
Metaafa declared that he had nothing
to hope from Germany; that all the wars
among the natives in Samoa and the
bloodshed which had occurred during
the last few months were due to German
interference, and that the German re-
representatives. here had made SO many
mistatements that he could no longer
place any confidence in their promises OF
their professed desire for peace.
KNAPPE's FROZEN GALL.
Metaafa showed the correspondent the
original letter written to him by DR..
Knappe, the German Consul, after the
recent fight between the Germans and
Samoans, in which letter the Consul ad-
dressed Metaafa as ''Your Majesty, the
King, declaring that he desired there be
be no more war between Germany and
Samoa, and made the proposal that the
Samoans should rule over the things on
the islands pertaining to Samoa, and
that Germany should rule over things
pertaining to foreigners. Metaafa did not
reply to Knappe's last letter making the
proposition for dual government.
THEY LoNGED TO SEE KIMBERLY.
At the time this interview was held
with Metaafa, the Trenton, with Admiral
Kim berly aboard, had not reached
Apia, and the natives were looking for
ward eagerly to the Admiral 3 arrival
Metaafa was asked by the correspondent
ii he expected assistance from the
American Admiral, and he replied
promptly that he was looking for such
assistance. He did not say that he ex-
pected the Admiral to act as his ally in
making war upon the Germans. In fact,
he disavowed any desire to carry on
war against the Germans or even against
Tamssese's forces.
METAAFA WANTED PEACE.