The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-04-13
ally along ihe roads ana through tho

daily along the roads ana through the
bush near Apia.
On April force OF "a British aneI
Americans and $50 friendlles we're sur,
prIsed In ambush at the German planta-
tion Of Yasalao. The rebel forco opened
front Of the Anglo-American force. The
fire on the rear. the lsft flank and In
friendlies bolted, but the marines ana
blue jackets stood their ground. the
Americans and British firing shoulder 10
shoulder. A Colt automatic gun with
the landing parry became jammed, and
the Americans and British were practl-
cally at the mercy 10 the rebels; but ere
treat" was sounded three times before
the marines and bluejaekets returned.
Lieutenant Angel II. Freeman, nrst lieu.
tenant Of the Tauranga. who was IN com
mand Of the allied forces. was shot
through the heart. Lieutenant Philip
Lanshorn Lansdale. u. s. NJ, suffered a
shattered leg. while enoeayoring to fix a
Jammed gun. Seaman Hunt. OF the Brit
lsh ship Porpoise, had an extra cap. He
remained with Lieutenant Lansdale until
eiubbed over the head and knocked sense
less. The blueiacket revived az the na.
tives we're cutting OF his right ear and
we're turning him over in order TO cut
on his left ear. At this juncturs a she'll
from the British cruiser RoyaIlst hurst
on the battlefield, soaring the rebels.
and Hunt escaped 10 the beach. although
severely stabbed In one foot. The same
night friendlies found the bodies Of all
the officers headIess The bodies we're
buried with all honors at Mulinuu Easte-
Sunday. Their heads were subsequently
brought in by some French priests. ana
the graves were re-opened and the heads
buried with the bodies. Lleuteuants
Freeman and Lansdale we're capable and
popular officers.
The officers who returned are Llsuten-
ant George z. Cave, OF the PospoIse and
Lieutenant Perkins. OF the Philadelpb,a.
All behaved splendldly. Lieutenant
Cave took command OF the retreat. Can
tain Sturdee, OF the PorpoIse. vas away
on an expedition with hls cruiser. ana
Gaunt's brigade was also absent on duty.
The loss Of the enemy is not knowa. but
probably 20 rebels we're killed and many
wounded. The bodies OF three rebels
were found near where Lieutenant Lans-
dale and Ensign Monaghan. Of the Phil
adelphia, were killed. Priests buried the
rebels. and much blood was seen on the
road over which the Mataafans had been
dragging away their dead and wounded.
There weTe also pools OF blood behind
the cocoanut trees. bullets from the
American and British Rifles going right
through thick trees and killing men be-
hind them. Some OF the rebels frei from
the tops OF cocoanut palms.
The rebels opened fire near town last
evening. 1t is proposed to summon an
other warship to distribute more arms
among the friendlies and to import addi-
;ional friendlies from TutIIeu. 1t Is also
suggested that troops might be obtained
from New Zealand or sydney. n. s W.
II a sufficient quantity Of arms could te
obtained about 900 friendlies could be
used against the Mataafans. but they are
not brave and have not shown fghting
qualities, excepting those with Gaunt's
brigade, and that force may not accom-
plish much
Admiral Kautz. Captain White, Of the
Philadelphia. and the American officers
generally have earned golden opinions, as
have Captains Stuart and Sturdee. OF the
British navy. They are doing everything
possible. and every one recognizes that
better men could not be handling the sit
uation
The Samoans say Mataafa on three oc-
casions had resolved to surrender. but the
German consul there. Herr Rose. advised
him not TO do 50, and he now says he
will never give in, but will fight to the
death.