Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1899-04-15
AMBUSHED In SAMOA.
An Anglo-American Force Made to
Retreat by Mataafa.
APPREHENSION FELT At WASHINGTON
Tho Detention OF . 0ermsn Subject by the
British Dangerous Fsaturs OF the
Controvsrsy-London Daily
News Comment.

Auckland, N. e., April 13-Dis-
patches. received here from Apia, 81.
moa, April 1, say that party OF 1o5
American and British sailors were
forced to retreat to the beach after
having been caught in an ambush on
o German plantation on that date. 1t
was estimated that 800 warriors ut
tackled the Anglo-American party.
The expedition was led by Lieut. A. II.
Freeman. Of the British third'class
cruiser Tauranga Lieut. Freeman
and Lieut. Il. l. Lansdale, of the
United States cruiser Philadelphia,
and Ensign j. P. Monaghan, Of the
United States cruiser Philadelphia,
were left dead on the field. Ensign
Monaghan remained to assist Lieut.
Lansdale and was shot In retiring.
Two British and two American sailors
were also killed. The natives engaged
were some OF Mataafa's warriors.
They severed the heads OF the British
and American officers killed. Priests
OF the French mission afterwards
brought the heads into Apia. The
manager OF the German plantation has
been arrested and detained on board
the Tauranga, on affidavit that he was
seen urging the rebels to fight In q
previous engagement 81 Of Mataafa's
warriors were killed and there were
no casualties among the European
| forces.
APPREHENSION FELT AT WASHINGTON.
Washington, April i3.-The acute
situation in Samoa gave rise to grave
apprehension among officials during
the early part OF the day In Washing
ton, but the conclusion was reached
Us the departments closed that the
situation Is one that will yield to sensi-
BILE and cool treatment, II all the par
ties TO the Berlin treaty are sincere in
an effort to prevent further trouble.
As put by cabinet officer, the killing
OF the sailors has not materially
changed the general problem,
though 1t has undoubtedly added
to the difficulty Of dealing with
the specific situation. The ar
rest and detention by the British
naval officials OF n German subject Is
one OF the most dangerous features OF
the controversy. 1t Is said that the
consuls of the three powers stationed
at Apia claim extra territorial juris-
diction involving the right to try the
subjects OF the representative coun-
tries for any oifenses alleged TO have
been committed. Uuder this practice
the German consul, Rose, may de-
mand the surrender of the German
subject II the man Is guilty IL con-
sidered improbable that the British
will yield unless upon some adequate
guarantee that he is to be sufficiently
punished. 1t Is not believed likely
that Rose will make such promise.
1t Is believed that Admiral Kautz,
with the cooperation Of the British,
will continue his efforts to bring the
rebellious natives 10 terms This is
not likely to be an easy task In view
of-the small force Mt his command, but
II is possible the British government
may accept the proposition OF the au-
thorities of New Zealand to send q
regiment Of soldiers TO Apia No pro-
test thus far has been lodged at the
state department against Admiral
Kautz
LONDON DAILY NEWS COMMENTS.
London. April i3.-Thc Daily News,
commenting editorially upon the latest
news from Samoa. says:
Ambush and the mu,ilation OF the dead are
the ordinary incidents Of savage warfare. and
l DAT. -