The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-05-20
THE MASSACRE NEAR APIA.
Admiral knutz Throws Light Upon
the Fatal Battle in Which
Brave Men Died.

Washington, May 16.-Secretary
Long yesterday made public SO much
of a recent report from Admiral Kautz
upon Samoan affairs as touches the
killing of a number of American sail
ors by Mataafa adherents, near Apia,
on the first of April.
The report is an elaboration of the
description of the affair which was ca
bled at the time by the press from
Auckland. No mention is made at any
point of the reported participation in
the affray of the German, Huffnagel
the manager of the plantation where
the fight occurred. 1t is shown that
the failure of the Colt gun to work
properly was in a large measur the
cause of the American and British de-
feat.
Projected by Capt. Sturdee.
Admiral Kautz says that the eXpedi-
ton was projected by Capt. Sturdee of
the Porpoise. For several nights pre-
ceding the scntries had been fired upon
by the natives. and it became necessary
to drive the aggrcssors away. Admiral
Eautz says that it was tie opinion of
all the officers who had the matter in
charge that the force was ample to do
the work without risk, especially as it
was to move out along the beach and
return the same way, under the pro-
lection of the guns of Ii. NJ.
S. Royalist. 1t is safe to
say, adds the admiral, that
after Lieutenants Freeman and Tins
dale had conferred together they did
what they deemed best under the cir
cumstances, me the disaster that fol-
lowed could not be fore-een.
Reports of Surviving Officers.
Admiral Kautz appends the report Of
surviving officers of the expedition
which eretransmitted by Capt. White
of the Philadelphia.
In his letter of transmittal the cap
tain commends in the strongest terms
the work of Passed Assistant Surgeon
G. a. Lung, He says:
Set An Excellent Example.
"At times when the fire from the
natives was thickest, and at all times
by his example, he encouraged the
| young and inexperienced men to the
proper performance of their duty. On
the completion of the work of his pro-
fession he assumed command of u
blue jackets and marched them to the
United States consulate.
The happenings of April 1.
Capt. White describes at some length
the happenings of April l. as gathered
from a close examination of the petty
officers and men engaged in the fight.
lie says that several excursions had
been made into the bush back of Apia
in the first two days of marching.
Very few natives had been observed,
and when seen they always fled when
fired upon by the Colt automatic gun.
Lieut.. Lansdale set great store by the
gun, and frequently operated 1t him
self. Says Capt. White:
The Colt Automatic Failed Them.
lie appears to have depended great
ly on the gun when the party was am
pushed on April /. Twice it did not
work and some time was lost in over
hauling it, and great delay was on
sumed in trying to get it through the
wire fence. Lieut.. Lansdale was loath
to abandon it, but the fire was so gall
ing that before he was wounded he
was compelled to scattcrthe important
parts and leave it behind. Prudence
led him to deploy his men in open or
der. The thicket was 81 dense that
when the ordcr for retreat was sound
ed it was not possible for the groups
/ TO render each other mutual support.
Fate of Lieut.. LansdnIe.
Lieut.. Lansdale was wounded below
the knee after the Colt was abandoned,
Bnd rendered incapable of marching.
lie was assisted by his men, n of
them, y. Z. Edsall Ordinary seamen),
was mortalIy wounded while SO doing.
1t is not clear when Lansdale received
the wound in his chest.
Brave Ensign Monaghan.
1t is in evidence most clear that
when Ensign Monaghan discovered
that Lieut.. Lansdale was wounded he
| used his best efforts to convey him to
the rear, and Selling Il rifle from a dis
abled man, made n brave defense, but
undoubtedly he fell very shortly after
joining him, and the hostiles, flushed
with success, bore down on men in
the vicinity. The men were not in suf-
ficient numbers to hold ont any longer
and were forced along by a fire which
it was impossible to Withstand. Ensign
Monaghan did SO. He stood by his
wounded superior and friend; one rifle
against many; one brave man against
a score of savages. He knew he was
doomed. He could not yield. He died
in heroic performance of duty.
Admiral Krautz' report, which is
quite lengthy, names several other
brave men who did well their duty.
A Protest that Should Have Weight.
Washington, May 16.-hlany naval
officers are sending in respectful pro-
tests against the proposed change of
uniform in the navy. 1t is urged that
the change would entail an expense of
! 500 each on about 1000 officers. and
that it is the result of caprice on the
part of a few persons, and not a move
ment approved by the navy at large.
Secretary Long has deferred the exc.