The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1899-05-10
AGREES TO A TRUCE.
Mataafa to Await Action of the
Samoan Commission.
The German Consul, in Spite of In
structiOns, Again Displays His
HostiIity-Deta ils of Re-
cent EngaS ements.


cablegram has just been recsived at the
navy department from Admiral Kautz:
auckland, May A. Sub-date. Apia,
April N.-Secretary Navy, Washington:
All quiet at Apia. Mataafa and his chief
scribed by British senior officer present,
and and to until commits
sion there will be no more fighting
(Signed) ''KAUTZ."
The cablegram was mutilated in
transmission over the cables and in the
process of resolving the cipher. Its
meaning is plain to the naval officials as
confirming the press report that a truce
has been agreed upon in Samoa and
there will be no more hostilities pend
ing the reaching of conclusion by the
commission now on the way to the is
lands and due there in about two weeks.
Recent Fighting.
Auckland, N. H., May 5.-Advices re-
ceived here from Apia, Samoa, to April
81, state that the rebel loss by the she'll
ing of the Mataafan stronghold at
Vailima by the warships of Great
heavy. Many of the rebels were wound
ed. The house in which the late Robert
Louis Stevenson lived was riddled with
shot.
On April % there was a sharp Skin
mish between rebels and Lieut.. R. a.
Gaunt's brigade near the town of
Vailima. In this engagement one Ma
taafan was killed. The lines of the
friendlies were attacked in the dark
ness at two points, but none of them
were killed.
On April % there was some bush
fighting Lieut.. Gaunt's brigade, num-
bering 900 men, advanced under hot
fire. The enemy lost several men, the
bodies of the dead being dragged away.
Of the friendlies, one was killed and
three were wounded. The British lieu
tenants, lines, Hickman, Shuler and
Heathcote, under Lieut.. Gaunt, led the
loyalists.
German ConsuPs Opposition.
The New Zealand government steam
err Tutanekai had arrived at Apia with
dispatches announcing the request of
the international peace commissioners
that the inhabitants peacefully await
their arrival from San Francisco. A
meeting of the three consuls, in view of
this message, was held, but without re-
suit, the German consul dissenting
from the propositions of the other two
consuls.
Mataafa Forced to Yield.
Admiral Albert Kautz, U. S. N, and
Capt. Stuart, of the British cruiser
Tauranga, wrote and dispatched
through French priest to Mataafa.
ordering him to withdraw his forces
outside of line ten miles long and six
miles broad Mataafa replied defiantly,
refusing to withdraw unless the Ger
man consul and the captain of the Ger
man cruiser Fake agreed. Admiral
kautz and Capt. Stuart thereupon sent
an ultimatum to Mataafa, threatening
to compel the withdrawal of his forces.
In support of this ultimatum a plan OF
action was decided upon. Lieut..
Gaunts brigade was strengthened, and
a heavy gun was landed at Mulinu, and
war rockets were gotten in readiness.
Being Informed of these preparations,
Mataafa made prompt reply, agreeing
to withdraw Immediately.
Not Understood.
Washington, May 81 An official
statement is made at the German en-
bassy that strict instructions were
given to the German consul at Apia,
Samoa, to join with his colleagues,
American and British, in proclama-
ton for the suspension of hostilities I'M
til the arrival of the Samoan commits
sion. Under these circumstances, the
officials are at loss to account for the
press reports coming via Auckland that
the Germans refuse to join in the
proclamation, and are inclined to at
tribute it to anti-German influences.
The proclamation was to be addressed
TO the natives, and as the American,
British and German representatives
were to issue the proclamation, all par"
ties in interest, native and foreign,
would be reached by the proclamation.
The Big Drainage Canal.
Chicago. May 6.-Secretary of War
A1exo, -, l,;c o41;cio on Dacity has Uiyen