, 1889-03-22
Klein on samoan Afairs.

OIlNaNOH NAaANh = oOhh -
the American newspaper correspondent
who has figured SO prominently in the in
ternational disputes over Samoa, arrived
in Chicago Monday night, and is stopping
at the Richelieu. He is on his wav to
New York to report to the managing
editor of the World, for which paper he
made his famous trip to the battle grounds
of MatRafa and Tamasese, the rival kings
Of Samoa. MIR. Klein, by the way, was
a Chicago reporter until about two years
ago, and Monday was 80 years old. Al
though he had the Samoan fever a num-
Der Of times while doing duty as a war
correspondent, and narrowly escaped
death at the hands of the Germans, he
looks none the worse for his travels and
dangerous experience.
Taking to a reporter Mr.. Klein said
be expected to go to Washington soon TO
give some evidence on the Samoan ques-
ton before the ena committee on for
eign relations. and possibly he might be
sent to Berlin to testify before the COM
mission. 81 think" he added, that ex-
Consul General Sewell should also have a
hearing before the commission, for his
course in Samoa was simply on a line
which Secretary Bayard directed him to
follow. Consul knappe and Mr.. Bran
dels were recalled by the Berlin govern
ment simply that they might testify be-
fore the commission. The German diplo-
mats are troing to get the inside track on
the investigation and secure a weight of
evidence in their favor"
The events which led to the demand of
the German officers in Samoa that Klein
be delivered over to them took place the
night OF Dec. II, when the battles of
Fagali and Vaitele were fought. Refer
ring to the part he played in these con
tests the correspondent said:
Il landed at Samoa Nov. 4, and two
days later went from Apis TO King Ma
taafa's camp, about six miles distant. |
went to his camp because he is the right
full king and the choice of four ftths of
the natives. The followers of Tamasese
were comparatively few, but he had the
support of the Germans, by whom they
were supplied with ammunition from their
war vessel-a clear violation of the treaty.
The night of Nov. &c / was with Ma
taafa's forces when they attacked and de-
feated Tamasese's army at Lautuanum.
Soon after this | was taken sick with the
Samoan fever and returned to Apia. The
night OF Dec. I, while | was convalescent,
a party of about 200 natives from Ma
taata's camp came to my room and asked
me to go up the river with them about
two miles, saying that the Germans were
about to land an attacking party. / con-
scented to accompany the party. Sure
enough, about midnight, three boats from
the German war vessels appeared off the
shore. The natives asked me if they
should fire upon these boats, ana / told
them not to do so. They did not fire
then.
Later, however, the Germans landed
and opened fire on our party, having in
the meantime placed a band of black
boys or German slaves from other islands.
to attack us from the rear. Then was
fought the battle of Fagali, in which the
Germans got the worst of it, losing about
twentv-three men. At 5 o'clock in the
morning the fghing was renewed at
Vaitele, the Germans opening the firing
this time also. After the firing was over
l returned to Apia and was promptly
told that the Germans were looking for
me. | was given protection at the Amer
lean consulate and remained there until
the night of January "a, when [ ran the
German guards and was taken on board
the United States man-of war Nipsic."
Mr., Klein says the German officers and
sailors at Apia, after martial law had
been declared, treated. all Americans in a
shameful manner. He says Bismarck is
interested in the German Trading and
Planting company of Samoa, and that
had Tamasese succeeded in establishing
his claim to the throne he would have
only been a figurehead for the Germans,
who have long been trying to conduct the
affairs Of the island.