Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-04-13
FIGHTING IN SAMOA
AMERICANS AND BRITISH SHELL
ING TOWNS DAILY.
MALlETOA CROWNED KING
Natives Make Several Deadly Attacks
on the American and British Guards
AROUND the Consulates- Some Sail
ors Kiiied-German Consul General
Responsible for Present Outbreak.

Apia, Samoa, via San Francisco
April S.-There have been lively times
in Samoa during the past few days.
The United States and British war
ships have shelled Mataafas forces
repeatedly and sailors have been land
ed in Apia TO protect property. MI
merous casualties have resulted on
both sides.
Admiral kautz and the commanders
of the British ships are anxiously
| awaiting advices from their govern
ments and in the meantime the she'll
| ing proceeds daily.
On March % King Tanumadili Ma
I lietoa was crowned king OF Samoa, al
Mulinuu. Admiral Kautz and Captain
| White of the Philadelphia, Captain
Sturdee and Captain Forelesse of the
! Porpoise and Royalist, the United
! States and British consuls and the
chief justice were present at the GER
emony, which was attended by all the
representative Americans and British.
| Sailors from the American and British
ships composed the guard of honor.
| The procession marched all through
| Apia, headed by the band of Apa.
The Porpoise and Philadelphia fired a
| lay in the harbor as if she and her
captain had not the slightest interest
| in Samoa. The German officials were
conspicuous by their absence.
Everybody is anxiously awaiting def
mite news from the three powers 1t
IS thought that if Germany acknowl-
edges Malietoa king the rebellion will
be broken up; If not Admiral Kautz
will take stronger measures than hith-
erto. rhe British steamer Tauranta
arrived today. At present there are
on shore 1875 men from the Philadel-
phia and $50 from the Porpoise and
Royalist, The Tauranga has nearly
400 men and the achievements Will
enable the admiral to take offensive
measures So far he has been com
PEELED to be on the defensive on land
When Admiral Kautz arrived on the
Philadelphia, he spent two days in
making inquiries and then called a
senior officers of all the warships in
the harbor. As a result of the meet
ing, a proclamation was Issued by the
American admiral declaring that the
so-called provisional government un-
der Mataafa can have no legal status
under the Berlin treaty and therefore
| cannot be recognized by the consular
and naval representatives, and order
| ing Mataafa and his supporters to go
to their homes and respect the laws of
the Berlin treaty Ii was further or
dered that the people elected from
their homes be returned and the power
of the naval force ii was stated, would
be used against all who disregarded
the right of peaceably disposed people
The authority of the chief justice
was upheld by the proclamation and
the admiral closed by saying that he
trusts that there may be no occasion
10 use military powers. The procla-
nation was signed by Admiral kautz
This proclamation was taken to
| Mataafa and read 70 him by Flag
Lieut. 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 municipality and 1t seemed as
If they were about to obey the com
mand TO return to their homes.
The German consul, however, issued
counter proclamation in the Samoan
language, which was distributed
among the Mataafans, The proclama-
ton reads as follows:
Notice to all Samgans; By the
proclamation OF the admiral OF the
! United States. dated March II, was
made known that the three consuls of
| the signatory powers to the Berlin
| treaty. as well as to the three com
manders of men-of-war, had been
unanimous 70 no more recognize the
provisional government composed OF
| Mataafa and the 10 chiefs. /, there
/ fore. make known to you that this
proclamation is quite false, am the
/ German consul general and continue
\ 10 recognize the provisional govern
ment of Samoa until l have received
contrary information from my gov
| eminent. -kose,
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 admiral's order
and prevent any food supplies from
being brought into Samoa for the Ma
/ Netoa natives The next day Apia
was surrounded by Mataata's warriors.
4 Forces from The Philadelphia and Por-
I pose. under Lieuts, Brown and Cave,
we're landed to protect the loyal ma
/ lives. on Tuesday, Mataafa. having
failed TO appear in response 70 the adj
mirals proclamation Flag Lieut. Mil
4 Ter was sent to deliver an ultimatum.
/ He was not allowed to see the chief
but delivered his message and retired.
British and American bIue-jackets
I " Sc landed in Apia 20 protect the con
sulates Quick firing machines and
small Geld pieces were also landed.
tIosrilities commenced on Tuesday