The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-24
INTERVIEW WITH aIArAAFA.


He IL Averse to German Control of
the Islands.
Vancouver, B. c., February 23.-Accord-
ing to Samoan advices in Sydney news
papers brought by the steamer Minowera,
an interview was had with Mataafa in bis
camp after the battle by reporter, who
learned that Mataafa was equally aversc
with Malietoa to seeing the islands under
German control. Mataafa, in bis attack
on Maletoa's forces was anxious not to
hurt the bodies or iniure the feelings Of
ally white persons. The interviewer adds
that it appeared to him that Mataafa was
being urged on against his personal wishes
to fight,
There is girls school of some corsid-
cradle dimensions at Apia n is con-
Quoted by two English women, and girls
from ell the islands, irrespective of tribe
or political party, attend it. The bellig-
erents regarded this place as absolutely
neutral.
Mataafa gathered all the dead bodies NJ
his enemies he could find and cut off their
heaas as trophies of the battle. These
grnesome relics were not made yisih,e IN
visitors to his camp. The trunks were
taken by Mataafa's people and burned at
roots OF banana trees belonging TO then,
50 tnat In future years. when they eat
the fruit they will always have in mind
the routing of the enemy.
After Mataafa's victory there was rearfu,
loot. All day long houses were burnins
and many plantations were dug up. A
resident of Samoa states that creed diff.
ierences have been introduced, it being
catholics against the London mission
tfrotestant). When the Apia foreign
church was looted large majority Of ~,
iooters showed the emblems of the Gath
Ollie religion.
An occasional correspondent OF the AS
sociated Press now in Apia. sends tina fo,.
lowing accoun. of the battle between tba
native forces
News was received that all the Mataa,,
forces We're in position. comnleto,y g,,r
rounding the Tanu people, and that for
"aru movement was to be made From tha
tower OF operation the position of the
auVancing Mataafa forces could readily ba
determined by the column OF smoke which
arose from The different houses which
We're burned as they came on. tho ian,
FORCES slowly retreating before them. Near
tne eatnedrai both parties were within hail
- e' w.. sue appeared anxious that the
u>3s8 sfxuld commence the firing. Now :.
slalWsrt Mataafaite would waltz out yr,r,
nehinu ms fort, run some distance toward
the roe, caper about with AS lnny tw,o
lianued knife, and challenge them 10 Sand
a., champion to meet him in single combat
nsi ianu man, arrayed in all his saw
as. ,hery win an immense red turban.
Will caper IN front OF his fort and make
some offensive gestures, NOT peenl,ar ~
saNases alone, and dare the other aide
70 charge TO their sure death Tn ~,
meanwhile the few whites in the neisbhore
hoou nau placed their families In their eel
az a., ~ hna the men of the family were
,.hoi gnu ourlousiy Watching the
1918 1919 proceedings from their verandas.
s soa' 10 get pack into place OF s.fety AS
SION SION as the FIRST shot WAS fired The az
1tteheht grew in intensity, when out from
me MataDta side stepped four ola n,n,
'iaa IN white flowing garments eacb car
~ Slhs stick about six feet long aud about
ne thickness OF an ordinary cane w,tI,
,hnese 'hey advanced. Wian a talk Ia a.
'ued an orator advances. leans on hi-
'irh and commands attention. Thase nid
Elbows boldly came up to the littjc br,dgs
y MN alone separated iAem from the;.
oes ana declared that those who wisbad
I'VE should come over to their slde
IN ~ SURRENDER their arms, or they would
rara ~. ..u DC Needless dead men. While thev
beir ,VhR tne Mataafas came out Of
,avan ,olI ana slowly almost inperceptibiy
~ ,a"seu AGAINST the thin line Of Tanuites
sno proposed to defend their wnr,,s
ihaiiy fola and Anane, two chiarr ~ tl,c
a anu'.es' Jumped over the wall OF hair
,h, anc ran to surrender Ia thar
NJ ,uroanes enemies. Severe, othars i
unywed, GIVING up fksir guns M ths.
utchea the lines OF the Mais,sat,as
h,eanwnlie the old men kept adynncinr IL
, ne center OF the bridge, declaring That
,ae Vas sale only for those who s,,rrans
We, 20 their Nghtful king. the great
t,nci Mataafa. the pride OF their race
a d. Wouiu forgive their detection and re-
se S.', mem afan as erring children.
.sra a'usn!y, with a rush, tho Tanu works
aIaites marched up tho street. after d,s.
rm,pe their prisoners ana sending them
Muiimni Several whose bellovcd nsr.
Lies a,1ss turing The trial gave great offsnse
aye very near losing their heads durins