Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-17
A coRRrsPoNoENT's TRIALS
Riein's Recent war Adventures I'm
samoa.

CoRRESPONuEN GRtALs.
Riein's Recent war Adventures I'm
samoa.
tBy telegraph 70 the DispstctLi
SAN Francisco, February 1G.-Ihe steam
ship Maciposa, from Australia aud the samoan
Islands, arrived this morning. Among ner
passengers Is John e. Klein, the American
newspaper correspondent who has figured
IN Berlin dlspstches as having led the "a
moan natives IN The recent battle With The
Germans, but who claims to have Wit
messed the feht a. non.cOm01tant
in bis capacity "a correspondent
When the Marip0sa left the Samoan Islands
were SIN under martial laH. and Germsn
aggression had become very marked and y
chained 10 have been directed against the
Americansas well as natives. The hariposl
lcft samoa February lst. Ont1at date none
OF tie American men-Oi.war ordered 70 60
81 the islands had arrived, and the Germans.
under the operation Of martial law, were IN
complete control Oh the islands and bad
commenced search Of al tine vessels Ia
samoan waters. After seiling On Eng
li>h tourist named Gillian on the steam
packet Richmond, from Auckland. CAD
tdn Hand. OF the English war-shlp
pfepqred FOR scli0n. The Germans released
Gillian on tbis demand. Goods which ar
rived on The Richmond Tor American ner-
chants A. Apia the Germans would not per-
mt 10 be landed unless they were iaken 70
the German stofeh0use add passed upon by
n German Official. The samoan Times was
suppressed January 10 b for stating that but
for Gerinsp support all the SlmOans Wonld
join Mataaia, and HAT unless Bismarck vas
deceived he would not antmnt TO enforce
his unpopular rule on the country. Prior
10 this Editor Cusack was fined SlnD Tor re-
printing certain American newspaper press
comments on the samoan situation. Cam
tain Friize, the German naval commander,
on January 23l issued an order lnsiructin2
oil Of the residents Of Apla 10 tlra over aii
guas or ammunition held by them and pro-
claimeJ the right Oi search. Captain Nuliin,
q the American man. oliver Nipsic, pro-
tested against this scu0n, stating that the
American Government bad never recognizcd
TamaseSe, snd that no power would ahor
them 20 seize The arrl3 unless used
against o inendly nation. y Oc tcrw9n
troops. acting as police In Apia, attempted
TO arrest Klein, bat on the advice oi the
United states Consul be went on board the
NIpsic. january 23.h captain friize made
that re miaht he tried before tho German
military tribunal. captain Mull1n replied
that 10 proposed to protect ON America
citizens 20 samoa, and mat Klein would not
be surrendered for rial, ana on February
lst De placed him on the Mariposa.
Correspondents write that the operations
~ the Germans seemed 20 be directed more
sgslust the American and English residents
than against Mataaia.
A Gre on January 9Th at hpia, which de-
siroyed the German consulate ana post
Office, was vigorously iougut by Ameri-
con ard English sailors, who brOu"ht
pumps. sxes, and bnckels from Their vessels,
buta strong detachment Of German sailors
who orrived brought nothing bur their rifles
and bayOnets. a good deal oi property Lc-
longing to Americans and Lngllshmen was
also destroyed.
The following is copy Of the ConsuPs
proclamation OF the state Of war by order Of
the imperial Government:
herewith proclaim a state Of war Tor the
Samoan isIonds. ANY assistance 70 the rebels
will be punished by martial law ire
spcctiyo Of nationality. The Introduction
Of coutraband goods OF war is prohibited.
All vessels and boats are liable 20 be searched
by she authorities. The police 81 Apia
the Imperial German Government. Resi-
dents Of Apia are requested TO assist ia
keeping laH and order.
This WAS posted in German and Ing
lisb. bnt not In SOmOan. The Germans
proceeded 10 act on it within hail an hour,
SEEING boats Of both American snd English
citizens laudnE freight from the steamer
Richmond. then In Apil harbor. 4 pTocla-
nation WAS issued by the British counsel
on the afternoon OF January Goth, IN which all
British subjects In Samoa were notified that,
Notwithstanding the proclamation OF The
German Consul declaring martial law. they
were subject solely 10 the jurisdiction OF her
Majesty the Queen and the authority OF him.
self and also OF the high commission sittlBg
M Fiji. Within two hours alter the English
COnsurs proclamation had been issued Cap
tain Fritz, OF the German gun-host, had
issued a counter proclamation notifying tue
Brilish subjects that notwithstanding The
proclamation Just issued by The Brush Con-
sui all Esglish subjects in Samoa were under
martial Law. and # they should In any way
interfere With the Gerlnan authorities they
would he tried by martial law. On the eve
ming Of the day on which these proclamatiOus
were issued Klein, the before. mentioned
newspaper correspondent received intiUa'
ton from German friends that It was the
intention OF The German Consul and tht
commander Of The German gun boat o.
arrest hm aud Try him by court-mar-
tia on board the Olga, and shoot
him or transport him TO Marshall
islands, where King Malieta was taken.
Gillian, the English tourist before mention
ed. was taken from the steamer Richmond
by an armed boats crew from the Olga.
The English Consul aud the Captain OF
the English gun-b0at ROyaist asked for
an explanation, and were informed that Gill
Ian was suspected Of being spy. The Ger
man captain was told that unless be sent
the prisoner on board Of the Rich
mond at once an armed boat from The
Royalist would 20 10 the OLGA and
fake him of the ship. Gillian was returned
To the Richmond without delay. On January
DIST Consul Blackjack Issued proclamation
warning all American citizens that war had
been declared by Germany against Mataas,
and enjoing no interference upon them, aud
notifying them that SO long a. they remained
non-combAtauts they were entitled 10 per-
sonal immunity and protection.