Evening star., 1899-04-12
COMMENT on THE AFFAIR.
Opinion in Europe That 1t Greatly
CompIicates Matters.

via Auckland N. T., were the only news
received here of the treacherous attack
made by the Mataafans upon American and
British naval forces. They created consid-
erable sensation in official circles and
among the general public. The newspapers
sent out large placards printed with such
startling announcements as:
British and American forces routed
German treachery," etc, etc.
The heroic conduct of Ensign Monaghan
of the United States cruiser Philadelphia
particularly appeals to the public.
The British admiralty has received dis
patch from Capt. Stuart, the senior British
naval officer in Samoan waters, giving the
news of the death of Lieut.. Freeman of the
British cruiser Tauranga, in IAN engage
n.ent with the rebels Beyond this no
further details have been received.
The German ambassador here, Count Won
Hatzfeldt-W Wildenburg, first received the
news from a representative of the Asso-
ciated Press. He quickly recognized its
Importance and asked permission to make
a copy of the dispatch. He said:
This news is indeed grave, and it is IN
fortunate too, at this moment that any
thing should occur to endanger the nego-
tiations for the settlement that We were
glad to feel would soon have arrived. Of
course l cannot discuss the particulars
given in the dispatch, but the occurrence is
certainly very unfortunate"
The Pail Mall Gazette says:
1.-The locality of the engagement, or
rather ambush is stated to have been
German plantation, and there is the un-
pleasant suggestion of treachery upon the
part of a German subject. The incident
apart from the loss of life is deeply deplor-
abe. The situation was already full of anx-
iety to the governments at home, while
on the spot racial feeling runs high.
Though it will be kept well under control,
the cabinets of London, Washington and
Berlin could well have been spared this
latest development. We may be assured
that order will be maintained ashore by
the united efforts of the English and Ameri-
can commanders, but even their efforts will
not clear the air of the electricity which is
fast accommodating at Apia.'
The United States ambassador, Joseph H.
Choate, having read the Samoan dispatch,
said to a representative of the Associated
Press:
And is German treachery hinted at? I
see nothing in this news to warrant for
moment the suggestion that the German
government is in any way implicated. IN
til we know more about the local circum-
stances surrounding the case. it is impos-
sible to express an accurate opinion
There is one thing, however, it will end
in forcing matters, and now, doubtless, the
three governments will take up the ques-
ton vigorously, and, instead of the occur
renee causing delay, it may accelerate a
definite understanding
REBELS HAVE BEEN AGGRESSIVE.
They Have Continued DepredatiOns
Since the First Conflict.
AUCKLAND. n. L.. April u, $50 am
Further advices from Apia, Samoa, says
that on the arrival of the British cruiser
Tauranga at Apia the British and American
ccnsuls issued a proclamation to give Ma
taafa a last chance, and that the French
priests also used their influence, but all
efforts failed, and the rebels continued their
depredations. Property was destroyed and
bridges and roads were barricaded
On March 30 the enemy was sighted at
Maguigi and machine guns and a seven
pounder were used. The friendlies also at
tackled the enemy during the latter's re-
treat and several rebels were killed OF
wounded. The friendlies carried one head
through Apia, which made Captain Stuart
so furious that he went to the king and
threatened to shoot any man found taking
tion forbiddfng the practice.
The German consul wrote to Admiral
kautz asking if two great Christian ma
uons approved of this inhuman and bar
barous practice against the laws of Christi
anity and the decree of the supreme court.
Admiral kautz Replies.
The admiral replied, agreeing with the
consul as to the inhumanity of the prac-
tice, and pointed out that had the German
consul upheld the decree of the supreme
court of January there would have been
no bloodshed; that the custom was an old
Samoan one, but first made known to the
world ten years ago, when the heads" of
honest German soldiers were cut off by the
barbarous Chief Mataafa whom the repre-
sentative of the great Christian nation
Germany is now supporting.
Expeditions in armed cutters belonging
to the Tauranga and Porpoise are doing
considerable execution against Mataafa's
strongholds along the coast. The British
forces are being assisted by one hundred
Samoans. About forty-six of Mataafa's
boats and several villages have been de-
stroyed. In the meantime, flying columns
are being sent daily along the roads and
through the bush near Apia.
On April 1 force of PA British and
Americans and l50 friendlies was surprised
in ambush at the German plantation of
.lA for q