The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-04-19
BODIES OF AMERICANS MU1|LA1ED.
SAMOAN OUTRAGES.
United States and Ert.sh Sailors Ambushed by
the Followers Of Mataafa--Inelted to
Battle by Germans.

News was received in Washington
and two British soldiers were killed
In ambush on the Island of Samoa on
April 1. The deed was committed by
the followers OF Mataafa, who had
been deposed some time ago by the
British and American officers, In Dpite
OF Germany's protest. The fight took
place on a German plantation and the
owner is now held n prisoner an board
British man-of-war charged with
melting the natives to ambush the
British and Americans.
Dispatches received from Apia,
Samoa, April I, say that a party Of 105
American and British sailors were
forced to retreat TO the beach, after
having been caught in an ambush on
German plantation that day. The
expedition was led by Lieut.. A. II.
Freeman of the British third-class
cruiser Tauranga.
Lieut.. Freeman and Lieut. +. H.
Lansdale and Ensign j. X. Monaghan
of the United States cruiser Philadel-
phia were left dead on the field. En-
sign Monaghan remained to assist
Lieut.. Lansdale and was shot In re-
firing.
Two British and two American sail
ors were also killed.
The natives engaged were some of
Mataafa's warriors. They severed the
heads OF the British and American Of
hcers killed. Priests of the French
mission afterwards brought the heads
into Apia.
1t is extremely annoying that just
as Germany, Great Britain and Amer
lea were about to come to an under
standing in regard to the appointment
Of joint commission to control the
affairs of the Samoans. that the news
Of the ambush should affect the plans
That Germany was opposed to the
Americans and the British at Samoa.
and supported Mataafa Is well-known
This and the report that the recent
massacre occurred on a German
plantation may result in misunder-
standing which will hasten a British
American alliance against Germany,
perhaps against Europe.
1t is expected that the British Gov
ernment will Immediately strengthen
its forces In Samoa by some soldiers,
and in the example set by such a
movement lies the greatest danger,
Government officers say, to a continu-
ance of friendly feeling between the
protectorate Powers. III troops are
sent to Samoa. and the presence Of
| British and American soldiers Is re-
garded as almost absolutely necessary
| for the protection of the lives of Eng
| lishmen and Americans from the
| powerful following of Mataafa, from
| whom the Germans. of course. are in
no danger-it is probable that Ger
| many will also increase her forces at
| Apia. The danger that will come from
these actions on the part of the three
| Powers Is obvious.
While the killing of American and
| British officers and blue jackets Is re-
| garded in Washington as directly
| traceable to the incendiary proclama-
| tion of Herr Rose, the German Con-
sui General at Apia, our Government
| will reserve any representations to
| Germany on the subject until full Of
| ficial reports have been received from
| Admiral Kautz and the British rep
| resentatives.
The British cruiser Wallaroo and
the British gunboat Goldfnch have
| been ordered to proceed to Samoa.
Tho minister OF foreign affairs, Baron
| Won Buelow. announced in the reichs-
| tag last Friday that an agreement
| had been arrived at with Great Brit
ain with regard to sending a commits
sion to Samoa.