The herald., 1894-08-31
Further Fighting Among the
Natives.
British and German Warships
Interfere.
The Rebels Stronghold Shelled and
Destroyed.
A Promise to Surrender Followed by .
Second Bloody Bnttle-Ths For
eigners in Critical
Position.
By the Associated Press,

DAN FRANCIeCO, aug. oU.-ln6 et0hmor
Mariposa, which arrived this evening
from Sydney, Auckland, Apis and Hon
olulu, brings news of further fighting
among the natives of Samoa and final
forcibls interference by the British and
German warships stationed at Apia.
The details are given in the following
special correspondence to the Associated
Press:
APIA. Samoa, Aug. 15.-The warships
of Great Britain and Germany have at
last taken action with view to ending
the native disturbances, which have
heretofore appeared to be interminable.
Two skirmishes had taken place between
the warning tribes, resulting in the kill
ing of eight or ten natives and the wound
ing of many more, and, besides, the
natives had become short OF food, not
having planted or looked after their
crops, and they had taken to stealing
from foreigners throughout the islands.
Their mode of living, too, had caused Q
great deal OF illness, much suffering and
many deaths, 30 that in the interests of
common humanity, interference by the
Dowero became absolutely necessary.
Something had to be done to put stop
to the so.called warfare. 1t was with
this end in view that the diplomatic and
naval officials held several conferences.
The ultimate result was resolution to
notify the rebels that they must dis
perss from their fortified stronghold ct
Latuanuu or euffer Smelling from the
guns of the wsrships.
On Friday, August 10th, the British
warship Curacao and the German war
ship Buzzard left Apia for Lstuanuu.
Arrived there, the rebel chiefs we're
called on bosrd the gunboats and in
formed that their stronghold would be
bonn barded at 8 o'clock on the following
morning. During Friday night, how
ever, the rebels evacuated the fort. On
Saturday morning the Notifications were
sheiled by the warships, and all were
destroyed. The kings warriors had
been sent overland to cooperate with
the gunbosts i'll the attack upon the
rebels. When the bombarding gunners
had finished their work, King Malietoa's
warriors were signaled to advance and
occupy the deserted position.
Before the rebel warriors evacuated
Latuanuu they set fire to all the huts in
the vicinity. as we'll as to their fort. the
destruction of which the boinbarders
finished, and destroyed oil the bread
fruit trees which wers growing near.
The naval authorities again communi-
Gated with the rebel chiefs and ordered
them to disperse and surrender their
rifles. Instead of obeying the mandate,
however, the rebel band moved off to-
ward Saluaiata, which ia less than 10
miles from Apis, and it WAS decided to
again advance upon them. On Sunday
morning the rebels and the kings war
riors, who numbered fully 600, came to.
pether at Lufiluti. The rebels made the
attack and killed and wounded several
of Malietoa's men. During all OF Sun
dsy there was desultory fighting and
the naval commanders resolved to again
attack the re bells and to deal with them
summarily.
Early on Monday morning. August
18th, the Curscoa and the Buzzsrd
changed their positions and again
opened fire upon the rebels, killing and
wounding large lumber. Simultane-
ously the kings warriors attacked them
on shore. In the fight the king lost six
killed and several wounded.
At this writing it ia impossible to
ascertain reliable estimate OF the
rebel loss. hut it is known to have been
heavy. The guns on the warships did
deadly execution.
On Monday evening the rebels sued for
peace. Their chiefs we're ordered to
come on board the Curacao on the fol-
lowing day. They obeyed the order and
made promises of complete submission
to the kings rule, agreeing to pay their
taxes, return to their homes and to de.
liver up 100 rides.
Immediately after this meeting the
Curacao steamed away toward Apia, be-
lieving that the trouble was over. The
Curacoa's commander was eager to
catch the mail steamer Msriposa, that
he might report the result of his opera
tions to the British government. The
BuZzard remained at the acene OF the
action to receive tho rifles from the
rebels and see that they carried out their
promises.
Great was the surprise OF the COM
mander OF the Curacao when, at mid
night last night, the Buzzard signaied
that Chief Tamasese, leader OF the Aana
rebels. had joined the Atua party with
over 400 Aana men, and that these COM
bned forces had attacked the king q
warriors. Throughout the night the
roar of the Buzzard's guns could be
heard. This morning the Curacao got
under way again and left for the scene
OF trouble. Captain Gibson LETT deter
mined to demand the complete surren-
der of the rebels. and unless the
rebels are submissive, the slaughter will
undoubtedly be terrible, as his gunnsrs
will fire to kill.
1t is now certain that unless vigorous
action is taken ths position OF the for
eigners here will be critical
At the hour of the sailing of the Mari
posa it is reported that the rebels have
made a complete surrender, but the
rumor lacks confirmation.