Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-01-20


traordinary cruise of which even the dark
and bloody isles of the Pacific have ever
been the witness In the course of less
six months she has chased a French ship
over coral reefs and thus perhaps dis
placed the Fashoda incident as a subject
of international il-feeling and possible
conflict. She has rescued an island prin-
cess and scores of other women from most
horrible slavery, avenged the cruel MUIR
der of British colonial governor, stormed
u stronghold of escaped French convicts.
and witnessed many scenes of bloodshed.
desolation and misery.
This is the story as told by Capt. Leah,
of the Mildura, with corroborative details
furnished by the people of the Australian
steamship Miowera, just arrived from
Sydney. Thus reads Vancouver letter
to the New York World.
The Mildura left Sydney. Australia, very
suddenly six months ago. and was short
ly followed out of the harbor by the
French cruiser Eure.
Tho object of their cruise was accident
ally learned by a Sydney reporter. 1t
was to put down the traffic in native girls
said to have been carried on by white
OI HltTtHdHl SHIPS anu Gwen Va
naval vessels patrollng the Pacific.
After leaving Sydney the Mildura
steamed direct for New Hebrides and
made Noumea her headquarters. The day
after her arrival she was Joined by the
Eure. 1t was then definitely learned that
the two men-of-war would work together
in putting down the horrible traffic in
native girls which was becoming so preva-
lent among the islands
10 ut "a
by Capt. Leah. of the Mildura, that scores
of girls had been stolen and taken aboard
French ships during the preceding three
months from the Island of Aloha. To-
gether the two ships set out to investi-
gate.
They found that the report was true.
and that an awful vengeance had been
wrought upon the white governor, who.
though guiltless of he crimes that had
maddened the natives to revolt. had been
massacred.
White dealings with South Sea natives
are short and sharp.
The English and French warships
opened fire. The village, which had a
population of about 500. was soon in
flames, and the inhabitants fed to the
hills.
Then the British and French tars rowed
to the island and captured many natives.
Among them was Chief Omuoo, whose
village was on the other side Of the
island.
The next morning this chief with a
number Of his warriors, padded to the
Mildura.
What have you done with Gov. Dun
CAM" demanded Capt. Leah.
Where Is my daughter?' retorted the
chief. SIS there no punishment for white
men. and for our burned villages and our
young men slain?'
81 know nothing of your daughter
at is true" said Omuoo Last night
she was bathing with her women In the
sea and they were all stolen by the Man
a-wee-weo the Frenchmen), as others
have been stolen before"
Your child shall be rescued said Capt
Leah. "They cannot have gone far. FIRST
let us hear about the murder of Gov
Duncan"
Capt. Leah says he has no doubt Dun
cans murder was due to the anger OF
some native whose daughter had been
stolen by Frenchmen.
Like many governors of small islands,
Duncan was also a trader with a num-
her of his suite he was trading with a
chief several miles inland on Aloha. with
whom he had beeN dealing for upward of
seven years. He placed such confidence
in this chief that on several occasions he
had taken him on board his cutter for
cruise among the islands, a privilege ac
corded only to natives supposed to be
reliable.
Duncan was in the chiefs tent, making
some entries in book, whlle the chiel
was sitting opposite him. Without mo-
ment's warming the native seized toma-
hawk and aimed a blow at Duncans head.
The governor ducked, but received the
edge of the tomahawk on his forehead'
cutting 1t to the bone. Although partly
stunned he reached for his revolver
which was lying at his side. when the
chief, Selling knife, stabbed MIN twice
in the back The wounds were not deep
and Duncan secured his revolver. Inc
chief. seeing his danger, sprang like
flash for the doorway only to receive
shot, fired point blank into his body.
Duncan's companions, at the sound or
the revolver shot. rushed into the tent
only to find the chief dead and the COVER
nor in dying condition. He was carried
back to the coast, and had hardly tod
the story of the attack when he breathed
his last. His death and that of the chiet
was followed by a general revolt, IN
which several whites were slain.
1t now remained to chase the French
cutter that had taken way Chief
Omuoo's daughter and nineteen other
Girls of Aoba An extraordinary coinci-
drmce now occurred which may lead to in
ternatonal complications.
After shelling Aoba the French cruiser
Eure, Capt. Lecuve, steamed away TO
Segon, one of the stations of the French
New Hebrides, to put down revolt of es-
caped convicts She left word for the
Mildura to follow as soon as possible. 1t
thus happened that Capt. Leah was left
to chase the Port Despointes alone.
The little cutter was still cruising in the
vicinity. The Midura gave chase. The
Port Despointes was no match for her In
speed and ran in close to a small island.
The Mildura followed at a high rate OF
speed and was almost within firing dis
tance of the cutter when horrible grind
ing sound told Capt. Leah he was IN
dangerous waters. The cruiser had run
over a hidden cora, reef and had, strange
to say. sustained no other damage than
to have two OK her plates sprung.
BY this time she was close upon the
Port Despointes and a shot fired across
the cutters bow brought her to stand
still. Capt. Leah with twenty blue jack
cts, Immediately boarded her.
He found on board the Ooban princess
and twelve of her girl companions. He
demanded their immediate release. and
First Lieut.. Couillard. who was In charge
of the cutter, made no demur. This OFF,
Ger is supposed to have authorized the
capture of the girls.
The princess was Iound IN her cabin
sleeping She Is described by Capt Leah