New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-16
MATAAFA PRAYS FOR PEACE.
FRIENDLY LETTER FROM THE SAMOAN
CHIEF TO PRESIDENT MKINLEY-LIEU-
TENANT LANSDALES WATCH RE-
STORED TO HIS WIDOW.

TENANT LANSDALES WATCH RE-
STORED TO HIS WIDOW
Washington Sept lb-The President received In
audience at the White House this afternoon John
George Leigh who has spent several months IN
Samoa as special correspondent OF THE London
Times" and Is now returning to England. While
in one of the black villages of Upou Mr.. Leigh
learned that watch. believed TO have belonged TO
either Lieutenant Lansdale or Ensign Monaghan
the two officers Of the United States cruiser Phil
sdephia who killed in the recent fighting
against Mataafa. had been found and was in the
possession of a native.
He at once communicated with Mataafa. whom
he had visited only few days before. and
promptly received a reply from the high chief as
surfing him that no effort would be spared TO re-
cover the relic and begging him, should the search
prove successful. &c restore the watch TO the right
full owner with my heartfelt condolences" He
added: you know what feel about America and
the late unhappy war" At the same time he
placed at Mr. Leigh's command mis- grandson and
a boats crew who were instructed to carry In
every necessary direction Mataafas order TO MS
adherents. While these messengers were In the
island Of SavaM a watch and chain. with locKet
and other articles attached were handed to Mr.
Leigh and identified the property OF the late
Lieutenant Lansdae. A few days later the cor
RESPONDENT left Samoa for San Francisco. where he
met the young widow of the officer and placed the
trinkets in her possession. Long ago. AT the hsti-
cation Of her family and OF Lansdales colnradeS III
the Navy unsuccessful efforts had been made 10
trace the articles so hope that they ever would De
found had been practically abandoned.
Mr. Leigh this afternoon handed to the freslueht
q letter from Mataafa of which the following Is
translation:
TO His Excellency William Mckinley. President OF
the United States of America; ,..,oa
Your ExcellencY: | have to-day hcen lhioi HT"
that a watch has been found by one OF my peopIe
which is believed to have belonged 70 lAcuItHaiit
Lansdale or Ensign J. r. Monaghan VINO wgrf UNI
happily killed i'm battle at Nailcle on Aprll I'e
have learned that Mr.. Leigh is about 10 leave "a
inca for America, and have asked him To convey
the watch Your EXcellenCy. in the nope maj YOU
will cause il TO be forwarded 10 TN" Oered.
or nearest relative Of the brave and much lamented
officer Mr. Leigh will tell you that nave SlnctIf-
" deplored the sad untimely death OF the brave
officers and men who came from America am
persisted in tho late unhappy useless, ~a anirdsSi23
which your great country has in the past eHtenut9
10 Samoa. I am especially anxious that TINS shonI9
he made known the sadly stricken mothers ana
never again be strife between America and the
Samoans and that the three Powers Will recognize
nv submission TO their will and desire for GOOD
government pray that God may sWe 10Y I1hs
life ]. j. MAIAAtN'
Mr. Mckinley In course Of conversation with MT
Leigh said thai he was much gratihed with this
proof Of Mataafa's thoughtful humanity. and that
II would afford him more than ordinary pleasure
10 respond TO the letter personally. He warmly
thanked Mr.. Leigh for his action and for having
personally conveyed the relics 10 Mrs Lansdae.
when Mr. Leigh left Samoa active endeaVors were
being made to recover Ensign Monaghan Watch,
and Mr.. Leigh believes that II Will follow MIN 10 10
that event it will Of course be at once forwarded
the relatives