Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1893-08-09
SHORT BUT BLOODY WAR.
Samoa the Scene of Revolution That Is
0ueIIed by the Powers,

Guoll0u Wy GlIo TUSSIS.
APIA, Samoa. July 10, via San Fran
cisco, CAL, Aug. 5.-War broke out on
July between Malietoa's and Mataa-
fa's forces but the war ships of the three
powers interviewed and stopped the
fighting. Mataafa and his chiefs have
surrendered. Mataafa's loss was thirty
killed and twenty wounded.
When the long-predicted war COM
menced it was quickly finished, the in
tervention of the three powers putting
decisive end to the trouble The first
when the royal forces started their
march on Malie, Mataafa's camp. They
captured an outpost and disarmed four
men IN 1T who were afterward set atlib-
erty. Next day war actually began and
first blood was shed. Mataafa's forces
were scattered. Malietoa had carefully
planned his attack and but for the ac-
cldental discharge of a gun, which pre-
cipated the conflict Mataafas forces
would have been exterminated.
Malietoa and his chief had become i'm
patient at what they considered the in
difference of the three powers and de-
termined to take the matter into their
own hands and the advance was begun.
through the bush with orders to spread
ton. Below Malio a third section,
accompanied by an armed fleet of fif-
teen boats sailing close in shore,
went along the beach. According to
the plan, Mataafa was to be hemmed in
on all sides. The accidental discharge
of gun brought the two forces into
conflict before the circle around Mataafa
was complete.
At a plantation belonging to a Ger
man firm the followers of Malietoa and
the adherents of Mataafa met. Both
lines extended from the ocean beach
through three or four miles into the in
men were stationed in cat
tie yard. AS the Kings men
advanced, the men on Mataafa's side
recognized friends and called out cor
dial greetings. Hand sha kes were in
dulged in and Kava exchanged. 1t
seemed as if friendly relations were to
be re-established. One ferocious old
warrior named Patu urged the Kings
men back into the ranks, when some
body fired shot and the fight COM
menced. Firing became general and
deadly.
On the sea beach opposite the cattle
Kings men. Mataafa's men advanced
to the wall and were exposed to a rak-
ing fire. Another detachment of Ma
lietoa's troops took advantage of an
opening in the side of the wall to
pour in repeated and deadly vol
leys. The Mataafaites were forced
to abandon the stock yards, and
as they got over the wall at the
rear they were greeted with another
attack and were forced to retreat to the
shelter of another stone wall, little
distance into the bush. Here thew
made a stand and Malietoa's men re-
tired. When they attacked the place
the next morning, Mataafa and his men
had fed to Malice
1t is the custom Of the Samoans to de-
capitate killed or even wounded enc
mics. Among the heads brought to
the king were those OF two women,
but it is believed they were killed
by mistake, though they took an active
part in the fight. The royal party
marched on Nabie and there met the
section which ought to have prevented
Mataafa's escape. But Mataafa and
his followers had got away in
boats. On July Ii King Malietoa
sent an ultimatum to Mataa1a demand
ing the surrender of himself and chiefs,
would be spared. No reply was made
to this.
On the 10th the British man-of-war,
katoomba arrived at Apia bringing
joint Instructions from the powers that
the rebellion must be subdued The
commanders of the British and German
Warships and the cOnsuls of the three
powers held a consultation. It was
decided to demand Mataafa' S surrender
and that British and German warships
mo American vessel beng there sailed
for Manovo. They arrived there early
on the morning of July Ii and sent word
to Mataafa that if he did not surrender
before l P. NJ. his camp would be
warriors landed. AS the Mataafaites
have been slaug htered had this pro-
gramme been carried out, but quarter
of an hour before the time was
up Mataafa and his chiefs board
ed the Katoomba and surrendered.
The Katoomba and Buzzard had cleared
for action and the men stood at the
guns. Forces had gone to the other side
Of the island to prevent escape in that
direction. The German vessels re-
turned to Apia while the Katoomba re-
manned to disarm the followers Of Ma
taafa.
The following is copy of a letter
sent by the consuls to Mataafa, demand
ing his surrender:
We, the three consuls of the treaty pow
ers, hereby give you notice that if you and
your chiefs and wounded come on board
the English man-of war within three hours
from the time the boat that brings
this reaches Manoa, your lives will
be safe. If you do not come,
the three men-of-war will open fire
kings forces. Your followers must bring
all their arms to the British man-of-war for
safety. Ifyou do not surrender, you must