Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-02-21
FROM THE SAMOAN ISLANDS.
The Germans Attempt to Capture a Newspap
EnrraSnandnnf


Correspondent.
SAN FRANCISCO, FED. 16.-The steam
ship, Mariposa, from Australia and the
Samoan Islands, arrived this morning.
Among her passengers is John Klein, an
American newspaper CORES pondent, who
has figured in Berlin dispatches as hay
ing led the natives In the recent battle
with the Germans on those islands, but
who claims to have witnessed the fight as
a ron combatant in his capacity as cor
respondent. When the martial law was
declared on the islands by the Germans
an attempt was made by the latter
to seize Klein, but he was res
cued by Americans, and took pas
sage on the Oceanic steamer Mariposa
for this port. When the Mariposa left, the
Samoan islands were still under martial
law, and German aggression had become
very marked, and is claimed to have been
directed against Americans as well as
tbs natives. The Mariposa left the Sa-
moan islands February L. On that date
none of the American men of-war Or
dered to go to the islands had arrived, and
the Germans under operation of martial
law were in complete control of the is
lands and had commenced to search all
vessels in Samoan waters, but after seiz-
ing an English tourist named Gillian on
the steam packet Richmond, Capitals
Hand, of the English war ship Royalist,
ordered the man released and prepared
for action. The Germans released Gil
Ian on this demand. Goods which arriv-
ed on the Richmond for American
merchants at Apia, the Germans
would not permit to be landed unless
taken to German storehouse and passed
upon by German official. The Samoan
Times was suppressed on January 195h,
for stating that but for the German sup
port all the Ssmoans would join Mataafa,
and that unless Bismarck was deceived
he would rot attempt TO en-
force an unpopular rule on the
country. Prior to this, The Cusoch
was fined one hundred dollars
for reprinting certain American newspa-
per press comments ON the Sam Dan
situation. Capt. Fritz, German naval
commander, January 23rd, issued an Or
der instructine all resid. nts of Apia to
turn over all guns held by them, and pro-
claimed the right of search. Captain
Mullan, of the American man of war,
Nipsic, protested against this action stat
ing that the American governme emit had
never recognized Tamasese, and that DO
power would allow them to seize arms
unless used against friendly nation.
German troops, acting As police in Apia,
attempted to arrest Klein, but, on the
advice of the nited States consul, he went
on board the Nipsic. On Jan, %. Capt.
Fritz made demand on Capt. Mullan to
release Klein, that he might be tried be-
fore the German military tribunal. Capt.
Mullen replied that he proposed to pro
tect all American citizens in Samoa, and
that Klein weud not be surrendered for
trial, and, on February 1, placed him on
the Mariposs.
The steamship Mariposa brings the
first mail advices from Samoa island
since January 2. The Mariposa left the
island of Tutuila on February 1. At the
time of the departure of the Mariposa
the necessity for the presence of the
American men-of-wa ordered to the
scene is claimed to have BEEN urgent, as
the operations of the Germans were di
rected more against American and English
than against Mataafa aud his forces.
The formal declaration of war against
King Mataafa was made by German
authorities on January 10, and martial
law established for the entire islands.
On the same day English subjects were
seized and taken on board of German
meL-of-war. American and English sub.
Iects were also threatened with deporta-
ton. An English steamer was taken in
charge by an armed boat from
the German war ship. Instead |
of war being prosecuted against |
Mataafa and his followers. The Germans |
neglected them almyst entirely, and con- |
1ned themselves to operations against /
the American and Euglish subjects.
Early. In the month of January q number
IF Tamasee's men began deserving,
among them being one of his most prom
nent chiefs. They were not willing toI
DIN with the Germans in fighting against
he natives. Jan. 8, large boatload of
he Tamasese soldiers came from up the
coast and communicated with the Ger
nan warship alder. The same night
everal deserters from the Tamaseses'