The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-13

Auckland. y. H., April 12.-Dis-
patches received here from Apia. Samoa.
April 1st. say that a party of 1Oo
Americans and British sailors were
forced to retreat to the beach, after
having been caught in an ambush on a
German plantation that day. The eX-
pedition was led by Lieutenant A. III.
Freeman. of the British third-class
cruiser Tauranga. Lieutenant Free.
man, and Lieutenant +. l.. Lansdale
and Ensign ]. r. Monaghan, both of
the United States cruiser Philadelphia,
were left dead on the field.
Ensign Monaghan remained to assist
Lieutenant Lansdale, and was shot in
retiring.
Two British and two American sailors
were also killed.
The natives engaged were some of
Mataafa's warriors. estimated at 800.
They severed the heads of the British
and American officers killed Priests
of the French mission brought the
heads into Apia.
The manager of the German planta-
tion has been arrested and detained
on board the Tauranga, ON affidavits
declaring that he was seen urging the
rebels to fight.
In a previous engagement twenty
seven of Mataafa's warriors were killed;
there were no casualties among the
European forces.
Further advices from Apia say that
on the arrival of the British cruiser
Tauranga at Apa the British and
American consuls issued a proclamation
to give Mataafa last chance. and that
the French priests also used their in
fluenees, but all efforts failed. and the
rebels continued their depredations.
Property was destroyed. and bridges
and roads we're barricaded. On March
29th the enemy was sighted at Maguigi,
and machine guns and a seven FOUNDER
were used. The friendlies also attack
ed the enemy during the latter's retreat,
and several rebels were killed or wound
ed. The friendlies carried one head
through Apia, which made Captain
Stuart so furious that he went to the
King and threatened to shoot any man
found taking heads: The King then
issued proclamation forbldding the
practice.
The German Consul wrote to Admiral
kautz, asking if two great Christian
nations approved of this inhnnrln and
barbarous practice against the laws Of
Christianity and the decree of the SUI
preme court.
The Admiral replied. agreeing with
the consul as to the inhumanity of the
practice and pointed out that had the
German Consul upheld the decree of the
Supreme court of january. there would
have been no bloodshed: that the Gus
tom was an old Samoan one, but first
made known to the world ten years ago,
when the heads of honest German
soldiers were cut off by the barbarous
chief Mataafa whom the representative
OF the great, Christian nation, Ger
many is now supporting.
Expeditions in asmed cutters belong
ing to the Tauranga and Porpoise are
doing considerable execution against
Mataafas strongholds along the coast.
The British forces are being assisted
by one hundred Samoans. About forty
six of Mataafa's boats and several VII
lagos have been destroyed. In the
meantime flying columns are being sent
daily along the roads and through the
bush near Apia.
On Apil lst force Of 214 British
and Americans and 100 friendlies were
surprised in ambush at the German plan
taticn of Vaslelo. The rebel force
opened fire ON the rear. left flank, and
front of the Anglo-AmeIican force. The
friendlies boted. but the marines and
blue jackets stood their ground splendid
~. Americans and British firing
shoulder to shoulder.
The Colt automatic gun with the land
ing party became janlmsd, and the
Americans and British were practically
at the mercy of the rebels. But re
treat was sounded three times before
the marines and blue jackets retired.
Lieutenant Angel III. Freeman. First
Lieutenant of the Tahranga.. who was
in command of the allied forces. was
shot through the heart
lieutenant Philip Van Horn Lansdale.
Of the United States cruiser Philadel-
phia, had his leg shattered while endeay-
orng to fix the jammed gun.
Seaman Hunt. of the British cruiser
Porpoise. had an extraordinary escape.
He remained with Lieutsnant Lansdale
untM dubbed over the head and Knocked
senseless. The blue jacket revived as the
natives were cutting off his right ear
and were turning him over in order to
cut off his left ear. At this juncture
Il shell from the British cruiser Royalist
burst on the battlefield, soaring the
rebels and Hunt succeeded in escaping
no the beach, although severely stabbed
in one foot
The same might the friendlies found the
bodies of all the officers, headless
The bodies were buried with an honors
at Muiinuu on Easter Sunday Their
heads were subsequently brought in by
some French priests. The graves were
re-opcned and the heads buried with the
bodies.