The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1899-04-15

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British warships have shelled Ma
taafa's forces repeatedly, and sailors
have been landed in Apia to protect
property. Numerous casualties have
resulted on both sides. Admiral
Kautz and the commanders of the
British ships are anxiously awaiting
advices from their governments, and
in the meantime the shelling proceeds
daily.
When Admiral Kautz arrived on the
Philadelphia he spent two days in
making inquiries, and then called Il
meeting Of all the consuls and senior
officers of all the warships in the
harbor. AS a result of the meeting
Il proclamation was issued by the
American admiral declaring that the
so-called provisional government I'M
der Mataafa can have no legal status
under the Berlin treaty. and, there
fore, cannot be recognized by the con-
sular and naval representatives, and
ordering Mataafa and his supporters
to quietly go to their homes and re-
spect the laws of the Berlin treaty.
Mataafa and his chiefs quietly left
and went to the western portion of the
municipality, and it seemed as if they
were about to obey the commands to
return to their homes. The German
consul, however. issued a counter
proclamation in the Samoan language,
which was distributed among the Ma
taafans. The proclamation reads as
follows:
"Notice to all Samoans: BY the
proclamation Of the admiral Of the
United States, dated March IL, vas
made known that the three consuls
Of the signatory powers Of the Berlin
treaty. as we'll as the three command
ers Of the men-of-war, had been unan-
imOus to no more recognize the pro-
visional government composed of Ma
taafa and thirteen chiefs. l therefore
make known to you that this procla-
nation is quite false. l, the German
consul general, continue to recognize
the provisional government. of Samoa
until 1 have received contrary instruc-
lions from my government.
-"Rose, German Consul General.
"Apia, March u, $780,"
The immediate result of this act
was that the rebels turned back and
prepared for war, declaring that they
would not obey the admiral's order.
The LeXt day Apia was surrounded by
Mataafa's warriors. Forces from the
Philadelphia and Porpoise, under
Lieutenants Brown and Cave, We're
landed to protect the loyal natives.
On Tuesday. Mataafa having failed to
obey the admiral's proclamation, Flag
Lieut.. Miller a sent to deliver an
ultimatum. Everything looked ugly
and British and American blue jack
cts were landed in Apia to protect the
consulates. Quick-firing, machine and
small field pieces were also landed.
Hostilities commenced on Tuesday
afternoon when half a dozen Malietoa
men were taken to headquarters and
bound. The whole Of the outskirts of
Apia were shelled from the harbor,
seventy shells being fired before dark.
The next day a body of 300 Malietoans
had their rifles returned to them from
the Forpoise and rendered good service
in clearing the brush. The rebel vii
lage of Vaiaila was burned in order
to prevent the close approach to the
consulate.
The German warship Fake at
tempted to leave port on a secret mis-
sion when Admiral Kautz ordered her
captain to stay where he was and be
ready to afford help to his countrymen.
The Fake remained.
During Thursday matters were
quiet. About dusk the Americans
fired on a body Of Mataafans, but no
one was killed.
EARLY Friday morning 200 rebels
rushed up to within thirty yards of
the consulate. The sailors behaved
splendidly and the natives were re.
pulsed. One American sailor was
killed and one British sailor was shot
in both legs.
For several days the German war
ship Fake persistently kept in the
way so as to discommode the fire Of
the British ships. Finally Admiral
Kautz compelled her to move inside
the harbor entrance out of the wey.
On March % King Tanumafili Ma:
ltetoa was crowned king of Samoa nj
Mulinu. The ceremony was attended
by United States and British repre-.
sentatives. A processio marched all
through Apia headed by the band OF
the Philadelphia. The German of.
ficials were conspicuous by their alb
sence.