The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1899-04-05
THE SAMOAN AFFAIR.
It Suddenly Assumes Proportions
of Startling Nature.
Mataafa Becomes Deflant-UpheId by
German Consul - Coast Towns
BOmbarde d-COmmis siOn
to Settle Trouble.


Auckland, N. H., March 30. = The
troubles growing out of the election of
king of Samoa have taken more Sc
rious turn and resulted in the bonn
bardment of native villages along the
shore by the United States cruiser Phil
adelphia, Admiral Kautz commanding,
and the British cruisers Porpoise and
RoyalSt. The bombardment has con-
tinued internationally for eight days.
Several villages have been burned, and
there have been a number of casualties
among the American and British sailors
and marines. AS yet it is impossible to
estimate the number of natives killed or
injured.
Provisional Government Dismissed.
AS Mataafa' and his chiefs, constitut-
ing the provisional government, con-
tinued to defy the treaty after the ar
rival of the Philadelphia, Admiral
kautz summoned the various consuls
and the senior naval officers to a confer
ence on board the Philadelphia, when
the whole situation was carefully cam
vassed. The upshot was resolution to
dismiss the provisional government,
and Admiral Kautz issued proclama-
ton calling upon Mataafa and his chiefs
to return to their homes. Mataafa
evacuated Mulinuu, the town he had
made his headquarters, and went into
the interior.
Upheld by German Consul.
Herr Rose, the German consul at
Apia, issued proclamation supple
menting the one he had issued several
weeks before, upholding the provisional
government. AS result of this the
Mataafans assembled in large force and
hemmed in the town. The British
cruiser Royalist brought the Malietoa
prisoners from the islands to which
they had been transferred by the pro-
visional government. The Americans
then fortified Mulinuu, where $4,000
Malietoans took refuge. The rebels
the adherents of Observation-Disclosures
the roads within the municipality and
seized the British houses.
Mulfnuu BOmbarded.
An ultimatum was then sent to them,
ordering them to evacuate, and threat
ening them, in the event of refusal,
with bombardment to commence at
one o'clock in the afternoon of March
10. This was ignored, and the rebels
commenced an attack in the direction
of the United States and British con-
sulates about half an hour before the
time fixed for the bombardment. The
Philadelphia, Porpoise and Royalist
opened fire upon the distant villages.
There was great difficulty in locating
the enemy, owing to the dense forest;
but several shore villages were soon in
flames.
BOmbardment Continues.
Berlin. March 31.-A brief official dis
patch from Apia, Samoa, dated March
20, says:
1.-The bombardment continues. In pur-
suance to military orders the whites have
evacuated many houses. The chiefs of the
Tanus party, who were eXiled to other is
lands, have been brought back from Upolu.
The firearms and ammunition taken from
Tanus on January have been returned"
Opinion in Washington.
Washington, March 3O.-The news
from Samoa that the United States
cruiser Philadelphia and the British
cruisers Porpoise and Royalist had
bombarded the towns held by Mataafa,
who has thus far had the official sup
port of the German government, came
with startling suddenness to officials
here, and displaced for the time being
the attention given to the fighting
around Manila. The Smelling of Ma
taafa was looked upon as of secondary
Importance, but the deepest interest at
taches to the attitude of the German
government. At first apprehensions
were felt that grave international COM
plications might ensue. But those most
intimately familiar with the latest Of
fetal exchanges between Washington,
London and Berlin did not take such
gloomy view of the outlook.
Commission to Settle Trouble.
Washington, April IA joint high
commission to settle the entire Samoan
trouble has been practically agreed
upon by the United States, British and
German governments. Lord Salisbury's
absence from London alone delays the
formal acceptance by Great Britain,
though in his absence Sir Thomas San
derson and Mr.. Villiers, who are under
stood to be specially familiar with the
Samoan question, have approved the
plan for commission. The United
States has informally expressed its APP
proval, and the formal acceptance, it is
learned from the highest quarter, will
follow speedily. AS the proposition
emanates with Germany her approval
of course is assured. This high COM
mission, it is felt, affords pacific solu-
ton to the whole trouble at the moment