New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-27
THE EXILED SAMOAN KING.
MA11EroA A PRISONER ON BoNHAM ISLAND
A GERMAN ACCOUNT OF THE TROUBLES IN
sAMoA-THE ADAMS HoMEwARD BOUND

A GERMAN ACCOUNT OF THE TROUBLES IN
sAMoA-rHE ADAMS HoMEwARD BOUND.
San Franc,sco.Jan. 2e.-The American schooner a. l.
T,eman has arrived here from the Marshall Islands,
the place of banishmont of Mslietoa the deposeu hlE
OF Samoa Maetoa arrived at Jalut on bonham
Island about November %. on the German war snip
OLGA He was accorded the liberty OF the isiaho Dut
was guarded by German soldiers and prevented ron
holding any intercourse with white psepie OF Jslus
f. NJ Morgan, United States Consul a. 'adiu'' eiF
deavored get into conversation with the cePoseu
King but was prevented from doing so. Maiotoa mas
aged considerably since being placed in captivity ana
he wandeHs aimessly about Jaut as II he had gwen
up all hope of escape
The German side of the Samoan story. as related
IN the circular letter sent out by the German Consul
at Apia is quito at variance with other reports which
have reached this country. A COPY OF this circular
has been obtained Speaking Of the trouble OF DO
comber TO- when two Americans were reported as
ssuted and seriously wounded on the streets OF Apia
by German sailors. the letter SAYS:
Gon Sunday, the 10th. about 100 German sailors
received liberty to 60 ashore While amusing them
selves in various ways, a halfcaste named George
Seaman, with others who pretended to have Amm1-
can protection, provoked the sailors TO such an ez'
tent that a street row occurred. several samoanS
Joined issue with the hacaste. throwing stones al inc
man.ofvar,s men Shots we're fred, one Of the
sailors being wounded in the head The hatcastes
and samoans also received rough handling. Early
next morning the Olga left Apa for saluaata where
the Eber had been at anchor for some time"
The Consul goes on to tell OF reports OF further
damage done by the rebels" and how the captains
OF the German vessels, after consultation with the
Consul. finally decided that the German cruiser
Adler with the Consul on board, should proceed
10 Mataaa,s headquarters at Lauln and request the
chief to induce his people to throw down their arms
Tho Consul says further that the rebols' would not
have dared attack European troops had they not been
drilled and led by an American named Klein. Con-
tinuing, the Consul says:
"As there is large plantation named Vaele stu
ated about two miles the Apia side Of Lauiii' 10
was deemed advisable 10 place some of the sailors
belonging to the Olga there for the purpose OF pre-
venting a possibly dsorderiy retreat of the rebels
70 Apia through the said plantation. TO carry out
this about $50 sailors were put in boats to down
the coast to the plantation. The sailors rowed
quietly on, and they kept close in shore the ma
tives followed them along the beach, calling out 10
the sailors, who took notice. About hal-mie
further on the natives held hurried council Of war
under the control Of Klein. The natives drew tho
attention Of Klein to the risk run II they fired on the
man-of- wars men. The persuasive powers OF tho
Journalist were too strong for the samoans,
and he induced the people Of the island to man their
big war canoes and FIRE upon tho German sailors at
sea. In the meantime the sailors were followed by
a large body of natives Klein then took charge and
ordered them to fire on tho boats. As the man-of-
wars men approached FagalIl about mile from their
destination, It deemed prudent 70 land half OF
tho men, the other half proceeding on their journey
by water outside the reefs As tho boats neared tho
shore Klein gave orders to fire. The ssmoans wero
stu afraid to follow his instructions. Klein, then'-
fore, set them the example by firing himself This
was the signal for general attack and the natives
followed suits
The Consul then gives his version Of the engagement
which followed in which fifteen Germans were killed
and thirty -eight wounded.
Washington, Jan. &6.-Ths Secretary OF State this
morning received long dispatch from ViceConsul
Blackjack at Samoa, givins additional details IN re-
gard TO the disturbance on the island December
49, in which SO many Germans were killed and wound
ed Icy the natives under the leadership Of an alleged
American citizen named Klein. IL Is merely an
elaboration of the cable message received from Consul
Blackjack January last. by way OF Auckland, but
presents the occurrences In much clearer and more
comprehensive than was possible at that time
| The mall was brought by the Pacific Mall steamer
which arrived at San Francisco last Saturday. IL
| will probably DO given to the press Monday.
The Secretary Of the Navy has received dispatch
| from Commander Graham, commanding the Alert,
dated Honolulu, January 4, announcing the arrival OF
the Adams, twenty-sx days from Samoa, and saying
that after coang and receiving mall duo on January
\ o. she would san for Mare Island, Cal He says be
has transferred ali hospital patients and men whose
for passage home lie says also that he has ordered
Paymaster's Clerk Trou home by the Adams Tot ais
charge The health of the Alert Is reported excellent
! -