The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-22


free right to choose their own form Of
government and elect their own ruler"
To the inquiry of the chief justice both
the British and the American consul re-
piled that they kad no instructions cover
ing that point, while the German consul
declared thai bis country had no eojec-
ton whatever to Mataafa.
On the morning of the 18th the Chief
Asi, man generally known as disturb
er. removed from his village of Matafaga-
tele closer up 10 Apia, a point where ne
thought he had an advantage, and here
his people commenced line Of fortitica-
| tons. On the following day a large force
of Mataafa people occupied a strong po-
sition on the hills back Of Apia. No col
| lision took place.
The decision was not rendered until the
morning of the 31st. No Mataafa chiefs
OF Importance were there TO listen to 1t.
The decision was TO the effect that the
chief justice was satisfied that Mataafa
had with him the largest following. but
that certain discussions had taken place
in Berlin during the conference and ii was
there shown that Germany was not friend
" disposed toward this chief. If there
was cable from Samoa 10 Berlin he
would have made inquiries direct from
that government as TO its present feel
J ings toward Mataafa, but unfortunately
there was no cable. and the chief justice,
| notwithstanding his letters TO Mr.. Moors
and the assurances the German consul
! general had given him, decided that Il was
Incompatible with the honor of Germany
that Mataafa should be king; therefore,
he was ineligible, and Tanu, being the
only other candidate in the field, was de-
ciared king Of Samoa.
The missionaries and the attorneys were
| full Of glee, but almost the whole body
OF the Samoan people were greatly cast
down
But this situation did not endure long.
On the afternoon Of this very day, the
S1st of December, the Tanu-Tamasese
party commenced the erection of breast
works in The wes1 end II Apia across Il e
road, while about 800 yards distant a de-
tachment of Mataafaites took up position
threatening these works.
At p. m. twenty-eight very large boats,
being part of the Mataafa navy, crossed
the harbor and landed just beyond Ma
taafa point. Being expjostuIated with by
the British consul and captain OF the Por-
poise they proceeded about mile fur
Their away and landed at Ash, a deserted
village. This party was about loo strong
and many of their boats were over eighty
feet in length. One, probably the largest
boat of its kind in the world, was 152 feet
long and sixteen feet beam. This strong
party seriously threatened the Tanu-Ta-
masese left wing; it was indeed consider
ably stronger than their entire army,
which was undertaking to defend about
one and quarter miles Of sea coast.
The night passed without firing, and
until p. m. the next day, January l.
both sides Unanswered f1r the advantage
The Tanu-Tamasese forces abandoned
their works across the road and erected
an earthwork on the left bank of the
Mulivai near the Catholic cathedral, Ma
taafa"s party following them closely. The
extreme weakness of Tanu's party was
becoming apparent to everyone. At a
m. the right wing of Mataafa's army
moved out of Matafagatele burning it be-
fore leaving and driving the Tanu forces
out of Motaa up to Vaala, close to the
United States consulate. So far there had
been no shooting. At p IN. Mataafas
forces had approached within 100 yards
of the works of Tanu's army and calmly
commenced building a fort of very con-
siderable strength. At $50 p. m. the petty
thief Tangalea of the Tanu-Tamasese
party, stationed at Mateuto, applied to the
American consul for help, saying that he
had only 100 men to oppose a very large
force approaching against him. 1t was his
idea that the American and British con-
suls could get him assis-aace from the war
ships in the harbor, this idea, /: is said,
having been put into the heads Of these
deluded people by one of the attorneys.
Consul Osborn inquired where were the
1000 men that they had sworn in court
they had ready at a moments notice.
Tangaloa confessed that they had never
had them. Osborn informed them that ne
was not in the business of fighting other
peoples battles; that they had described
themselves a few days earlier as being
very strong and able to take care of them
selves; if they were true all was well. if
not then they had better surrender or
fight just as they choose 10 do.
At 4 p. m. news was received that all
the Mataafa forces were in position, COM
pIetely surrounding the Tanu people, and
that a forward movement was to be made.
From the tower of the Tivoli hotel which
occupied about the centre of the field of
operation, the position of the advancing
Mataafa forces could readily be determined
by the columns of smoke which arose from
the different houses which were burned
as they came on, the Tanu forces slowly
retreating before them. Near the cathed-
raj both parties were within hail and each
side appeared anxious that the other
should commence the firing. Now a stall
wart Mataafaite would waltz out from be-
hind his fort run some distance toward the
foe, caper about with mis- long two hand
champion TO meet him n a single cunrst
champion omeet him in single combat
Then a Tanu man, arrayed in all his
savage finery with an immense red tur-
ban, would caper in front Of MS fort, and
make some offensive gestures. not pecu-
liar TO savages alone, and dare the other
side to charge to their sure death In the
meanwhile the few WHITES in the neighbor-
hood had placed their families in their
cellars, and the men Of tie family were
cautiously and curiousiy watching the
whole proceedings from their yerandas, /
ready 10 get back into place OF safety
as soon &c the first SHOT was fred. The
excitement grew in intensity. when ou-
from tie Mataafa side stepped four old
men clad in white flowing garments. each /
carrying a stick about six loot long and
about the thickness OF an ordinary cane. /
With these they advanced When talk /
Is desired an orator advances. leans OF I
hiS stick and commands attention These /
Old fellows boldly came up 70 the Ht.le 4
bridge which alone se2ara-ed them frcm 4
their foes and declared those who wished /
70 live sh0t-ld come over % their SIDE and 4