The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-08-31
FIGHTING AT SAMOA.
Warships ForcibIy Interfere In the
Row Among the Natives.
Rebel Chiefs Received warning-ft
Was UHheeded and Hornbar d ment
Followed. ttlt. Et


ArIA, Aug. 10. - The ships Of Great
Britain and Germany have at last taken
action with view to ending the native
disturbances which have heretofore APP
peared TO be interminable. Two skirmishes
had taken place between the warning
tribes, resulting in the killing Of eight or
~ natives and the wounding OF many
moro, and besides, the natives had become
short of food, not having planted or looked
after thoir crops, and they had taken to
stealing from Foreigners throughout the
island
Their mode of living has produced q
great deal of illness, much suffering and
many deaths, SO that I'm the interests Of
common humanity Interference by tho
powers became absolutely necessary.
Something had to be done to put stop to
the so-called warfare. IL was with this end
In view that tho diplomatic and naval
olncials held several conferences. The
ultimate result was resolution To notify
the rebels that they must disperse from
their fortified stronghold at La Tuanua or
suffer Smelling from the guns Of the war
ships.
In Tuanua sheIIed.
On Friday, Aug. 40 the British warship
Curacoa and the German warship Buzzard
left Apia for La Tuanua Arrived there
the rebel chiefs were called on board the
gunboats and informed their stronghold
would be bombarded at o o'clock the
following morning. During Friday night,
however, the rebels evacuated the place.
On Saturday morning the Qualifications
Were shelled by the warships, and all but
destroyed. Tho kings warriors had been
sent overland to cooperate with the gun
boats In The attack ON the rebels. When
tho bombarding gunncrs had finished their
work King Malietoa's warriors were sig
nailed TO advance and occupy the deserted
position.
Before these warriors evacuated La
Iuanua they set fire 10 all the huts in the
vicinity, as we'll as their forts, the destruo-
tion OF which the bombarders finished,
and destroyed all the bread fruit trees
which We're growing near The naval au-
thorities again communicated with the
rebel chiefs, and ordered them to disperse
and surrender their rifles. Instead of
obeying the mandate, however. the rebels
moved OF towrsd Sat uafata, which is less
than 10 miles from Apia, and IL was de-
clded to again advance upon them.
Rebels Determined to Fight.
On Sunday morning the rebels and the
kings warriors, who numbered fully 600. |
came together ut Lufllufi. The rebels |
made an attack and killed and wounded |
several OF Malietoa's men During all of |
Sunday there was desultory fighting, and 1
the naval commanders resolved to again
attack the rebels and deal with them sum.
marily.
Early on Monday morning, Aug. l3. the
Curacoa and Buzzard changed their posi-
tions and ogain opened fire on the rebels.
killing and injuring large number.
simultaneously the kings warriors at
tackled them on shore. In the fight the
king lost six Killed and several wounded.
AT this writing 10 is impossible to ascer-
tain reliable estimate of the rebel loss.
but it is known to have been heavy.
The Curacoa commander was eager To
catch the mail steamer Mariposa that he
might report the result of his operations
to the British government. The Buzzard
at the Scene OF action to receive
he rifles from the rebels and see that they
;arried out their promises.
Another Battle.
Great was the surprise of the commander
'f the Caracoa when at midnight last
hight the Blizzard signalled that Chief
Tamahez, leader of the Aana rebels had
oined the Atau party with over 400 Aana
men, and that these combined forces had
stacked the kings warriors. Throughout
he night the roar of the Buzzard's guns
ould be heard
This morning tho Curacao got under
way again and left for the scene of the
rouble. Captain Gibson left determined
o demand complete surrender of the
ebels, and unless the rebels are submis-
I've the slaughter will undoubtedly be
i1.l. It,. n
lt is now certain that unless vigorous
leasures are takan, the position Of the
Dreigners here will be critical. At the
our of the sailing of the Mariposa 1t is re-
orted the rebels have made complete sur
snder, but the rumor lacks confirmation.
...