The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-08
8pUrr6dt0 R0b0l BY R088
EFFECT OF HIS PROCL LAMATION
ON THE MATAAFANS.
Admiral Kautz Grossly Insulted by the Ger
man Consuls Action. The Growing
of Maletoa King.

Apia, Samoa, March 24th. via San
Francisco, Cal, April There have
been lively times in Samoa during the
past few days. The United States and
British warships have shelled Mataafa $
forces repeatedly, and sailors have been
landed in Apia to protect property.
Numerous casualties have resulted OH
both sides Malietoa has been crowned
King. Admiral Kautz and the command
ers of the British ships are anxiously
awaiting advice from their Governments,
and in the meantime the shelling pro
ceeds daily
When Admiral Kautz arrived on the
Philadelphia he spent two days in max
ing inquiries and then called a meeting
of all the consuls and the senior officers
of all the warships in the harttor AS a
result of the meeting a proclamation
was issued by the American Admiral
declaring that the so-called provisional
government under Mataafa can have nc
legal status under the Berlin treaty, and
therefore cannot be recognized by the
SoHSuldt dlld di tlIA
ordering Mataafa and his supporters tc
quietly go to their homes and respect the
laws of the Berlin treaty. 1t was furth.
er ordered that the people elected from
their homes be returned. and the power
of the naval force, it was stated. would
be used against all who disregarded the
right of peaceably disposed people. The
authority of the Chief Justice was up-
held by the proclamation, and the Adj
miral closed by saying he hoped there
would be no occasion to use military
power. The proclamation was signed by
Admiral Kantz. This proclamation was
taken to Mataafa and read to him by
Flag Lieutenant Miller. 1t was received
in silence. and no answer was made.
Mataafa and his chiefs quietly left and
went to the western portion of the muni-
cipality, and it seemed as il they We're
about to obey the commander and re-
turn to their home The German Con-
sui, however. issued Il counter proclama-
ton, in the Samoan language, which
was distributed among the Mataafans.
The proclamation reads as follows:
NOTICE TO ALL SAAIOANS.
by the proclamation of the Admiral
of the United States dated March 11th.
it was made known that the three con-
suls of the signatory powers of the Ber-
lin treaty. as well as the three command
ers of men-of-war, had been unanimous
to no more recognize the provisional
government comDosed of Mataafa and
the thirteen chiefs.
Il therefore make known to you that
;. ,i,,, ~ &c falsn / thl
German Consul General, continue to
recognize the provisional government of
Samoa until | have received contrary
Instructions from my Government.
..Apia. March 18th, 1899.
tSigned) ROSE,
German Consul General"
The immediate result Of this act was
that the rebels turned back and pre-
pared for war, declaring that they would
not obey the AdmiraPs order and would
prevent any food supplies being brought
into Samoa for the Maletoa natives.
The next day Apia was surrounded by
Mataafa's warriors. Forces from the
Philadelphia and Porpoise under Lieu
tenants Brown and Cave, were landed to
protect the loyal natives. On Tuesday
Mataafa, having failed to appear. flag
Lieutenant Miller was sent to deliver an
ultimatum. He was not allowed to see
the chief. but delivered his message and
retired. Everything looked ugly, and
British and American bluejackets Were
landed in Apia to protect the consulates,
Quick firing machines and small field
pieces were also landed.
Hostilities commenced on Tuesday af-
L., Il. lai iVnt nn
nlen were captured by the Mataafans.
They were taken to headquarters ana
bound On "Wednesday morning notice
was spread that if 10 answer was re-
ceiyed from Mataafa by one o'clock the
Philadelphia would fire one of her large
guns. followed by three one minute
guns. Mataafa sent no answer.
He and his chiefs were buoyed up by
the German Consufs proclamation and
vague talk that Germany would sup
port thein:~ that it was the greatest na-
tion ON earth, invincible in war, and that
Great Britain and America would never
dare TO engage Germany i'll conflict.
Signal guns were fired, and the foreign
population of British and Americans were
taken Oh board their respective war
ships. Other nationalitieS went on board
sailing vessels in the harbor. One hun
dred and seyenty-iiye men and officers
We're landed, and at Admiral Kautz's
request Captain Sturdy, of the Porpoise
assumed command Of the combined
forces on shore, Flag Lieutenant Mil
ler. of the Philadelphia, assisting Sur
geons were landed from both Ships. and
Miss McCoy and AIiss Forth, mission
aries, volunteered as nurses. The whole
native population sought protection be-
hind the American lines.
As soon as the land forces We're sta
toned. the Philadelphia opened fire by
throwing shell into the outskirts OF
Apia. The Royalist followed but with
six-inch shells, and the Porpoise went
down the coast a couple of miles aud
bomharded the village of Nannn, Tl,ar.