The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-04
PLUCKrEsr QUEEN IN THE WORLD.
Ruler of Small south Sea Island.
But a Fighter with a Record.

From the San Francisco Examiner.
Queen Mamea of the island of Huaheme
of the Society group is a buXom ruler who
for years has defied the power of the
French authorities at Tahiti
Mamea has often been spoken of as the
handsomest woman in the South seas, but
whether her claims to this distinction are
based upon substantial grounds residents
of Raeatea are inclined to doubt. The
fact remains undisputed that Mamea has
held her island against all corners in
spite of numerous expeditions that have
been sent out to conquer the rebellious
tribes over which her majesty reigns.
The barkentine City of Papeete, which
recently arrived at San Francisco from
the South seas, brought interesting news
of the latest attempt to dethrone queen
Mamea, but with her usual good general
ship the woman ruler managed 10 re-
treat to the mountains of Huaheme IN
good order where she now awaits the
advance of the enemy.
France, always jealous of her South
sea possessions has been for some time
trying to annex Huaheme and Bolabola,
both of which islands lie in a northwestern
ly direction from Tahiti, and nave been
long coveted by the Germans Under the
lished on Bolabola, but to French agrees
sion brave Mamea has been Hereby OPP
posed.
submit" was the edict sent out by the
governor of Tahiti to the queen. Her re-
ply was a raid on the French missionaries
near Uturoa and the slaughter of several
traders. The French shelled Huaheme
and landed troops at the queens palace,
but the willy lady led her forces by rapid
march into the mountain Businesses of the
interior and at the head OF 800 natives
held the foreign soldiers back, losing but
a few soldiers in administering the French
soldiers sound thrasning.
The defiance of Mamea is not altogether
a matter of recent record. Seven years
ago the governor of Tahiti dispatched
gunboat TO the islands, landed troops on
the beach and tried to starve Mamea into
subiugation. The queen fed to the noun
tains, whose caves and retreats she had
stocked so well with provisions that after
months of seige the French retired. Ma
mea then returned to the beach and re-
manned there until about six months ago.
when news of the contemplated French
protectorate over her domain was given
to the world. Some of her subjects fell
upon a French outpost and murdered the
small guard stationed there.
A gunboat from Tahiti repaired to the
scene and shelled the native villages for
three days. Mamea and her warriors re-
treated to the mountains and refused 20
be taken.
Queen Mamea makes her headquarters
at UturOa, on the east side of the island,
within easy marching distance of a range
of mountains, the highest peak of which
is 1889 feet above sea level Swamps
abound in the lowlands, and their danger
Gus surfaces are crossed by narrow paths,
hidden by dense underground, known
only to the natives. The mountains are
natural strongholds. They are steep and
rugged, cut up by canyons and deep RAJ
vines. Small streams are frequent. Cas-
cades of great beauty can be seen on eV-
At the hight of about 800 feet the
mountains are almost inaccessible, but the
queens fighters Chamber up their steep
sides like goats, and once the top of the
ridge is gained they are in position to
defy any army of civilized soldiers.
In the very heart of the mountains the
queen has caused to be erected a large
storehouse, in which is kept supply of
provisions. Small storerooms are located
in secret places, and food enough is kept
in all the stations to feed large body of
people for several weeks Stone forts of
crude but formidable character have
been built at the entrance to all the noun
tain passes.
Mamea's subjects are the most warlike
of any tribe in the South seas. Her people
seem to be devoid of the finer feelings Of
ten displayed in the natives of the Gilbert
and Marshall groups. The men and women
alike are exceedingly quarrelsome, and
when not at war with the French are
fighting among themselves. Thus the
forces of Mamea have been reduced to
about 500 fighting men and 300 fighting wo-
The amazon of Huaheme is not so cruel
nor so heartless as her African sister,
but she is capable of enduring great
suffering, and In battle shows savage cru
city. She is weaker physically than the
Dahomeyan terrors, but her power of
endurance is as great Huaheme's anna
zon can live days on a starvation allow
ance of food, and perform long journeys
over the Huaheme nights without thought
OF rest.
Queen Mamea has not lived an altogeth-
er unromantic life. herder named Ma
cello attracted the fancy Of the woman,
and she offered TO make him chief among
her tribesmen II he would marry her.
The man was welded 10 a half-caste girl
OF Tahiti. and left poor Mamea IN the
lurch. The queen never had any use for
white men from that time.
The French have a large fleet OF cut
ters cruising about among the Paumotu
islands. and these were recently concen-
iratod al Huahcme with the object 81
driving Mamea into the mountains and