The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-09
MORE FIGHTING is EXPECTED.
THE SITUATION AT SAMOA is IN
CONSIDERABLE DOUBT.

Steamer From Apia Brings "a Full
Report of the Recent Disturbances
There-HOw the Chief Justice's
Decision Was Overridden Ger
mans Were Compelled to Surren-
der the Supreme Court to Save the
Town.
San Francisco Feb. S.-The steamer
Moana arrived from Samoa to-day bring
Ing full details of the recent outbreak al
Apia, to the Associated Press from its
correspondent at that place.
He writes that while Chief Justice
Chambers was considering the claims of
the rival candidates for the kingship the
Mataafa natives who were numerically
the stronger, were openly supported by
the German officials, and the entire Ger
man population began to TAX of immediate
war in case the decision went against him.
The life of the chief justice was openly
threatened by one of the chiefs.
The three consuls agreed to issue a
proclamation, putting the chief justice and
his residence under the protection of the
treaty powers. For some reason the Ger
man consul broke his word and declined
to carry out the agreement.
The British and American consuls there
upon issued a proclamation and holsted
their national flags over the residence OF
the chief justice.
On Dec. 81 the chief justice decided that
Nataafa was ineligible for election, and
that Malietoa Tanus was King. The
American and British consuls Immediately
recognized the new King. The decision
will OV1jnnnS silence
natives.
Would Not Recognize Him.
Within an hour the consuls, the Presi-
dent and the German and British captains
held meeting. The German consul and
the President declined to recognize Tanus
and went over to Mataafa, who was
waitig at Mulinu, the western portion of
AHA. with 5000 men under arms. Mataafa
surrounded the local troops, 1900 in num-
ber who occupied the central portion of
the town.
The Malietoans lacked arms and ammu-
milton. In a few hours the rebel forces
had surrounded the residence of the chief
Justice, who was guarded by 200 loyal ma
tves. and Capt Sturdy of II. NJ. S. Por-
poise landed twenty-five sailors under
Lieut. Gaunt
The residence was barricaded and the
men stood to arms until morning, when
the chief justice and family were taken
to the beach. Fighting was expected to
commence at any moment, though the
British and American consuls did all they
could to prevent hostilties.
A renewal of the fighting is expected
soon. as both factions of the natives are
dissatisfied.
The Fighting Was Severe.
BY midday on Sunday the rebel troops
had completely hemmed in the royalsts.
The plans had been well laid and the reb-
els were headed by an ex-German officer
Won Bulow, who is al the present time in
receipt of a pension from the German gov
eminent Under mis- direction barbados
were thrown up in the main streets of
the town. Won Bulow and the President
and the German consul were in cons ant
consultation, and German merchants
supplied cartridges to the rebels.
King Tanus and large number of white
people sought refuge ia the Tivol Hotel.
Al about 4:3O o'clock Sunday afternoon 800
rebels made rush from the western side
of the town toward the hotel, and fighting
commenced. The German consul rode at
their head and Won Bulow was in actual
command. The lighting was severe In
the main streets. Hearing the firing on
the beach, a party of rebels, 1000 strong,
advanced driving before them party of
lovalists. Thousands of shots were fired
and for two hours there was a stubborn
defenseas The loyal party by nightfaN had
been driven to within a quarter of a mile
of the mission station, around which the
balance Of the royalists had been COM
PEELED TO retire.
They Saved the King.
II the two rebel parties had effected
junction the loyalists might have been
slaughtered, but darkness came and the
6ehtingsf ceased. After the retreat from
the TivoI, to the mission, it was found
that King Tanus had been left at the
Tivoh Capt. Sturdy and Consul Maxse
went to the hotel and brought the king
safely back. 1t was a brave deed and al
though the rescuers were fired upon re-
peatedly, they escaped without damage.
The British sailors under Lieut.. Gaunt
behaved splendldly.
The American consul, Mr.. Osborne. and
family took refuge IN the British consul
late. which was closely guarded by Brit
ish sailors BY the flight Of the Malietoa
men to the Porpoise the rebels were left
in absolute possession Of the town. All
Samoan houses were looted and burned
Had to Have "A Government.
White mems houses were invaded ana
searched for Samoan property. In this