The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-02-01
REVOLUTION IN SAMOA.
Ma|ietoa Tanus Was Declared King
and Severe Fighting Followed.
MATAAFA'S MEN BURN A TOWN.

German Consul Assumed Authority, Caus-
ing tho British warship to Clear For
Action and to Land Marines - Ma
taafa's Followers Are victorious-A
Provisional Government Established.
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (By Cable).-A
violent outbreak has occurred In Samoa,
and according to advices the situation for
the British, American and German officials
there is very serious. These dispatches
say that Chief Justice Chambers on De-
cember 81 declared Malietoa Tanus to have
been elected King, in succession to the late
King Malistoa. The Chief Justice also an
nounced that Tamasese had been elected
Vice King. Chief Mataafa was declared to
be disqualified, and this caused clash be-
tween the parties, resulting in bloodshed
and loss OF life, Mataafa's followers rising
against those OF Malietoa Tanus.
The Consuls Of the United States and
Great Britain and the Captains OF the Ger
man warship Fake and the British war
ship Porpoise met the German Consul, who
refused to recognize Malietoa Tanus and
declined to cooperate In the dispersal OF
the Samoans, who thereupon assembled In
lurge numbers at Mulinu, armed them
selves, and surrounded the municipality.
Malietoa Tanus and Tamasese mustered
about 1000 men, well armed, but supplied
with defective ammunition. The British
and American Consuls endeavored to avert
hoStilities, but they commenced on January
1. Malietoa Tanus and Tamasese fought
bravely, but 500 OF their followers were
captured. Then, disheartened and out
numbered, the two chiefs sought refuge on
the British warships and their followers
sought protection under the guns OF the
Porpoise.
F. Mataafa's loss was sixty-one killed and
wounded and Malietoa Tanus lost twelve
men killed and wounded. After the fight
fhe followers OF Mataafa looted and burned
Apia, burned 400 houses and .raZed the town
Of Upolu, destroyed the plantations, cut
down the bread fruit trees and pillaged
considerably in the country.
The American, English and German Con-
sus have issued proclamation recogniz-
ING the provisional Government set up by
Mataafa with President gaffel Of the
Municipal Council rs the executive head.
On January 6 Raffel, with the concurrence
OF ths German Consul. declared himself
Chief Justice. The British and American
Consuls protested against this action, and
on January Captain Sturdee, OF the
Porpoise, cleared his ship for action and
landed a force Of marines. The marines
took possession Of the court, and the
British and American flags were raised
over Chief Justice Chambers's house and
the Court House.
! The provisional Governor announced on
January 12 that he would seize Malietoa
and take Tamasese off the Porpoise by
force II necessary, deprive them OF their
kha toll
The Brittsh1and American consuls have
protested against any infringement OF the
Berlin treaty. British residents have taken
refuge in their consulates, and the Amerl.
can residents and Mslietoa Tanus have
taken refuge in the mission, which is being
guarded by the Porpoise.
An American war ship is urgently needed.