Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-04-27
SITUATION IN SAMOA
Constant Contests Between Forces of
of the Rival Kings.
HEAVY LOSSES IN RECENT FIGHT
More Details of the Death of
White Officers.
BEHEADED WHILE ALIVE

AUCKLAND. n. T., April 2--Particulars
of the fighting in Samoa, contained in the
advices received here from Apia under
date of April Is. show that the battle be-
tween the friendly natives and the rebels
took place at Vallejo and that the latter
lost one hundred men in killed and
wounded.
Further details of the deaths of Ensign
]. S. Monaghan of the United States
cruiser Philadelphia, and Lieut.. p. V Lans-
dale of the same vessel have been re-
ceived. They show that Monaghan was
behcaded before he was dead. A deserter
from the Mataafan forces says Monaghan
and Lansdale were retreating when they
were discovered by a chief and his wife
who were looking for dead men. They gave
the alarm and Monaghan was shot while
continuing the retreat. Later. it appears
the rebels returned and killed Lansdale.
Monaghan fought until he was wounded
and ne was then beheaded. The doctors
examination Of the remains confirms the
statements made.
said 100 British Were Killed.
Suatele. the principal rebel chief. ran
away and told his people hundred British
had been killed.
Mataafa deserters assert that the Ger
mans sent cartridges in bags of rice and
sugar along the coast in December.
i
vices received. fired a blank shot on April
across the bows of a German schooner
which was leaving Apia without reporting.
the rebels who were in possession of the
late Robert l.. Steyenson's house and some
forts were attacked in the rear by some
TamaSese friendlies. who killed three of
them and wounded others. One friendly
native was killed in the fight.
Frightful weather has been prevailing at
Apia. the sailors being compelled to sleep
four nights in the wet trenches
The friendly natives. under the command
of Lieut. r. A Gaunt of the British third
class cruiser PorpOise. We're attacked on
April II from the French mission station at
Falita. One of his men was wounded. The
rebels were eventually routed with the loss
of four men killed
Tamasese Lines Extended.
The Tamasese lines were extended on
April IL to the Vaiee battlefield. Mataafa
attacked the friendIies and Cfaunt's brigade
Joined in the engagement and fought well.
Four bodies IF slain rebels We're recovered
The others re dragged away. One friend
ly was killed and beheaded and one was
wounded. The rebels had a German flag
flying from their forts. About 1908 women
and children have sought refuge at the
Maluit station of the London Missionary
Society.
The rebels are Selling the traders rifles
cartridges and stores, and the traders are
fleeing to Apia- Business is at d standstiH
and 4 strong idnd force Is urgently Nevted
Won BuelOW, formerly a lieutenant IN the
German army and the man who organized
the forces of Mataafa here, armed with
sword. gun and cartridges, proceeded to
Savan tSavaii2) with thirteen boats and
4OO rebels. and the German warship Fake
sailed on a secret mission with Herr Rose,
the German consul. on board. Captain Les
lie c stuart commander of the British
thtrd-Class cruiser Tauranga, in the absence
OF Admiral kautZ. who was coaIing he
Philadelphia at PangC-Pango. wrote to the
German consul. urging him to secure Won
BuelOw. and the next day the Fake re-
turned with Won BuelOw on board.
The offer Of New Zealand to send troops
20 Samoa caused enthusiasm at Apia
Favor Annexation
Th- inhabitants are almost unanimous in
he belief that the treaty is failure. and
here Is a strong feeling in favor of annex
atom Prominent American citizens and
British subjects say German annexation is
Preferable To the triple control, and that
Inless Mataafa is subdued another war IS
inevitable within year.
The British third-ciass cruiser PorpOise is
still engaged in punitive cruises.
On April L. q battle was fought at Man
GA, htteen miles eastward Of .Apia. About
TWO thousand rebels attacked Il Gauut
landing party. consisting Of about one hun
ired men The latter We're subjected to a
not IRE. and retreated To the shelving
beach, where they defended themselves
'raEely for a time. and a1cerward swan off
70 their boats under "a heavy fire
Chief MUliangi. With twelve friendly ma
ives, refused to retire ard charged into a
burning village. driving q number Of rebels
before them with splendid. reckless brav-
-ry. Gdunts party then returned to the
assistance of the friendlies and the whole
party retired