The Helena independent., 1889-04-16
THE SAILORS AT SAMOA.
kiMssRLY's GREATEST ANXIETY,
The Kindness OF Mataafa and His
Followers Not Appreciated by
the Germans.

(Copyi0dht,d iss9 by N Y. Associate Press,l
APIA, Samoa, March 80, via san Fran
clsco.-AfteT the great storm Of March 10
had subsidized Admiral Kimberly was visited
by an Associated Press reporter. The ad-
miral was found sitting on the porch OF
small house facing the harbor, watching
the wrecks OF the American men-of-wRr.
"Isn't II awful" he remarked 10 the CORE
spoRdent SIN all my experience on the
sea have never seen 4 storm 10 equal this
one. | can hardly realize yet the full ex-
tent OF the damage done. My chief anxiety
now is TO got the eight or nine hundred
sailors back 10 America"
The admiral was asked regarding his
own experience during the storm,
but would say nothing OF personal
nature. lie told OF the occurrences ON the
Trenton which have already been de-
scribed, He attributed much OF the trouble
ON the Trenton 20 the fact that the hawser
pipes were placed on the lower deck. IL
was piece OF faulty construction which
the government officials had been asked
several times 10 remedy. IL they had been
located ON the deck above the water could
not have poured in on the Trenton In tor.
rents as II did, flooding the FIRE room and
putting out the fires. Admiral Kimberly
considered this as indirectly the cause OF
the loss OF the Trenton. The ship, he said,
was handled most skillfully. II would
have been impossible to have steamed out
OF the harbor as the Calliope did, as the
engines were not powerful enough. As II
was, with every pound OF steam the Tren-
ton could carry aud three anchors out the
ship could not hold up against the storm.
The confusion which was present every
where In Apia during the first few days
after the storm disappeared by the end OF
the week. The quarters OF the shlpwrecked
sailors had been made more comfortable,
the daily routine OF duty was properly at
tended 10, and the marine guard had com
plete control of the town, working par
ties are kept busy ali the time on the
wrecks OF the Trenton and Vandalis, and
articles of every description have been
brought ashore from the vessels. IL has
not yet been ascertained whether the Nip
sic will be able 10 leave the harb0r OF not
King Mataafa came down from his camp
few days ago. A light rain had fallen
the night before and the water had leaked
into many Of the tents occupied by the
sailors. Mataafa pointed out 70 Admiral
Kimberly the danger of sickness breaking
out among the men on account OF this ex-
pOsure, and on behalf OF his people offered
TO vscate all the Samoan houses In Apaia
and allow the American sailors the use OF
them.
March % the Germans held memorial ser
vices at the French Catholic church which
were attended by Admiral Kimberly and a
number OF other officers and also by
guard of honor from the United States
marine forces. March "A American me-
mortal services were held, but none Of the
German officers attended.
There Is no important changes In the p0-
litical situation. Both parties are still en-
camped In the same position they occupied
for months. The German consul, DIR.
Knapp, Is still pursuing the spiteful course
which has always characterized his
administration of affairs here
Notwithstanding the noble work OF the
SamOans In saving the lives of the Ger
mans during the storm, Knapp posted
printed notice few days later declaring
the natives were stealing produce from
German plantation and warning the public
not 10 purchase from them. The Asso-
ciated Press correspondent had an inter
view with Mataafa few days prior to the
great storm In regard TO the proposed Ber-
the conference would have any beneficial
result for the Samoans He expressed a
strong desire that the American and British
representatives might be able 10 affect the
restoration Of the former Samoan govern
ment and insure peace and prosperity 70
the islands. Mataafa declared he had
nothing TO hope for from Germany; that all
the wars among the natives and the blood
shed which had occurred during the past
few months were due 10 German interfer-
ence, and that German representatives had
made 30 many misstatements TO him he
could no longer place any confidence In
their promises or their pr0fessed desire for
peace. Mataafa showed your correspon-
dent letter received by him from Consul
Knapp after the recent fight between the
Germans and the Sam0ans, in which Ma
taata was addressed as "Your Majesty, the
King" In the letter Knapp desired there
be no more war; that the Samoans should
rule over things on the island pertaining TO
Samoa, and Germany should rule over all
things pertaining 10 foreigners. Mataafa
did not reply 10 this proposition.