The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-04-14
FORCED GERMAN WARSHIP AT
SAMOA TO STAND ASIDE.
KAISER'S CONSUL CAUSED TROUBLE
Rose Issued n Counter Proclamation In
citing tho Followers OF Mataafa to
Ignore Kautx's Orders.

lively times in Samoa during the past
few days. The American and British
warships have shelled Mataafa'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 govern
ments and in the meantime the she'll
ing proceeds daily.
When Admiral Kautz arrived on tho
Philadelphia he spent two days in
making inquiries and then called
senior officers of oil the warships in
the harbor.
AS result of the meeting a procla-
nation was issued by the American
admiral declaring that the so-called
provisional government under Mataafn
can have no legal status under the
Berlin treaty, and therefore cannot be
recognized by the consular and naval
representatives, and ordering Mataafa
and his supporters to quietly go to
their homes and respect the laws Of the
Berlin treaty.
1t was further ordered that the peo-
pie elected from their homes be re-
turned and the power of the naval
force, it was stated, would be used
against all who disreGarded the rights
of peaceahly disposed people.
The authority of the chief justice
was upheld by the proclamation, and
the admiral closed by saying that he
trusts TINT there may be no occasion
to use military powers. The procla-
nation was signed by Admiral Kantz.
This proclamation was taken to Ma
taafa and read to him hy Flag Lieu
tenant Miller. 1t was received in
silence and no answer was made. Ma
taafa 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
counter proclamation in the Samoan
language, which was distributed
among the Mntaafans. The procla-
NATION read rs follows:
OF the United oluses Saunotn.
il was made known that the consu.s
for the signatory powers of the Berlin
treaty as we'll as the three command
ers of men of war had been unanimous
to no more recognize the provisional
government composed Of Mataafa and
thirteen chiefs.
/, therefore, make known to you
l,IS len OF 70 fol-
/ am the German consul general, |
continue to recognize the provisional
government of Somoa until have re-
ceived contrary instructions from my
government. (Signed ROSE,
German Consul General.
The immediate result of this act
was that the rebels turned back and
prepared for war, declaring that they
would not obey the admirals order
and would prevent any food supplies
from being bronght in Samoa for the
Malietoa natives.
Hostilities commenced on Tuesday
afternoon when half dozen Malietoa
men We're taken by the Mataafans.
They were taken to headquarters and
bound. On Wednesday morning no.
tice was spread that if no answer was
received from Mataafa by l o'clock
the Philadelphia would fire one of her
large gnns, followed by three one
minute guns. Mataafa sent no answer.
Buoyed Up Ey Germans.
He and his chiefs were buoyed up
by the German consui's proclamation
and vague talk that Germany would
support them and was the greatest
power Oh earth, invincible in war, and
that Great Britain and America wuald
never dare to engage Germany in con-
hict. Signal guns were fred and the
foreign population OF British and
Americans were taken on board their
respective warships.
The whole native population sought
the protection behind the American
lines. AS soon as the land forces
were stationed, the Philadelphia open
ed fire by throwing shell into the
outskirts Of Apia.
The German warship Fake attempt
ed to leave port on secret mission
when Admiral Kautz ordered her
captain to stay where he was and
be ready to afford help to his country
men. The Fake remained.
For several days the German war
ship persistently kept in the way so
as to incommode the fire Of the British
ships. Finally Admiral KautZ COM
PEELED her to move inside the harbor
epfronca niit of tho wav