The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-03-11
NOT SO SERENE AS WAS INDICATED
Germany Carrying things with a High
Hand In the Samoan Islands.
Extracts from Letter from Captain
MuIIan of the NlpsIc.
Germany making War on Samoa and
Prosecuting Foreigners.

WASHINGTON, d. c., March 9, 1sS9.-The
following extract from the latest letter from
Capt Mullan, commanding the U. s. S. Nip
sic, to his brother in this city, which has
peculiar interest at this time, In view of the
unfortunate rumors in regard to the fate of
the vessel, shows that all was not quite so
serene as the official dispatches seemed to
indicate, and that the Germans were carry
ing things with higher hand than has been
generally supposed. The letter is written
from Apia, and bears the date Of Jan. 28,
1889: "Here in Samoa we have war times
and excitement. Germany has declared war
against Mataafa, and proclaimed martial
law here in Samoa. have protested against
this martial law business. and think it has
had beneficial effect. They, in their procla-
nation, said in case citizens of Apia did not
give In a list of their arms, ammunition, &c,
they would be deported or imprisoned. /
told. In writing, Capt. Fritz of the Adler,
that In the whole Jurisprudence of my coun-
try there was no such punishment They
had proclamation printed on Jan %, and
ready to publish on the cocoanut trees, etc.,
but my protest had the effect of stopping
this. This proclamation spoke Of offences
and penalties, death. deportation, shooting,
hard labor, Imprisonment, etc. They do not
Under English and American law, they cannot
proclaim martial law. But they say German
law is different.
Things are all exciting here. They are
at war with Mataafa, but all their proclama-
tions are directed against foreigners. They
carry on high game here, aud our govern
ment has but one vessel while they have
three good ships. hear, by way of Auck-
land, that we will have more ships here.
God only knows how this. affair will end.
Inc Samoans do not want Germany to annex
their island. but have long ago asked both
England and the United States to take thein
Their old King, Malietoa, was deported a
year ago, first to Germany, then to the coast
OF africa, and then to Marshalps Island, to
the north OF Samoa. where he is now.
Il am Kept busy from morning TO night,
and have been since the 7th of December,
when the Adams left for California. Ny
mall by this steamer will be the heaviest /
have yet had, and my several reports to the
secretary are quite lengthy, full, and giving
every Item that has occurred. The little
paper published here, the Samoan Times, has
been suppressed by the Germans. On JAM
uary the German consulate, German con-
100000: 1t was the greatest fire ever in
Apia. sent men to render aid. | got
thanked in public proclamation, copy of
which send you. / think, and certainly
nope, al, my actions In this Samoan bus-
ness VIII be approved by the government,
Tor the state of Samoa was never in such
condition, and am here alone, just at the
top and In the midst of it all, and of course
the responsibility.
Il hear Germany intends sending out
troops. About Jan. l sent Lieut.. Hawley
to Auckland to telegraph 20 the secretary,
and he will be back on Feb. 2. The German
consul at Auckland chartered small Eng
lish steamer the other day and sent her here
with Important German dispatches, but what
these dispatches were no one but Germans
know"