Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-04-06

AHA, Samoan Islands, March 90,
via Auckland, N. H., March 29.-Tbe
troubles growing out of the election of
serious turn and resulted in q bonn
bardment of native villages along the
shore by the United States cruiser
Philadelphia, Admiral Kautz COM
manding, and the British cruisers
Porpoise and Royalist.
The bombardment has continued
intermittently for eight days. Several
villages have been burned, and there
have been o number of casualties
among the American and British
sailors and marines. As yet it is i'm
possible to estimate the number Of
natives killed or injured.
As Mataafa and his chiefs, consti-
tuting the provisional government, con
tinued to defy the treaty after the
arrival of the Philadelphia, Admiral
Kautz summoned the various consuls
and the senior naval officers 10 con-
ference on hoard the Philadelphia,
when the whole situation was care
fully canvassed.
Tine upshot was resolution to dis
miss the provisional government, and
Admiral Kautz issued proclamation
calling upon Mataafa and his chiefs
to return TO their homes. Mataafa
evacuated Mulinuu, the town he had
made his headquarters, and went into
the interior.
Herr Rose, the German consul at
Apia, issued a proclamation, supple
menting the one he had issued several
weeks before, unfolding the provisional
government. As result of this the
Mataafans assembled in large force and
hemmed in the town.
The British cruiser Royalist brought
the Malietoa prisoners from the islands
to which they had been transferred by
the provisional government.
The Americans then fortified Null
nun, where 1900 Malieotans took
refuge The rebels-tbe adherents Of
Mataafa-barricaded the roads within
the municipality and seized the
British houses.
REBELS BEGIN ATTACK.
An ultimatum was then sent to them,
ordering them TO evacuate, and threat
ening them, in the event Of refusal,
with bombardment to commence at
O'Clock on the afternoon of March 10Th.
This was ignored, and the rebels
commenced an attack in the direction
OF the United States and British con-
sulates about half an hour before the
time liked for the bombsrdment.
The Philadelphia, Porpoise and
villages. There was great difficulty in
locating the enemy, owing to dense
forests; but several shore villages were
soon in flames,
A defective shell from tho Philadel-
phia exploded near the American con-
sulate, and the marines outside mar
rowly escaped. A fragment struck tho
leg. Of Private Rudge, shattering it
SO badly as to necessitate amputation.
Another fragment traversed the Ger
man consulate, smashing the crockery.
The Germans then went on board the
German cruiser Fake.
AMERICAN SENTRY KILLED.
During the night the rebels made a
hot attack on the town, killing three
British sailors, A British marine was
shot in the leg by sentry of his own
party, another was shot in the foot
and an American sentry was killed at
his post.
The bombardment continuing, the
inhabitants of the town took refuge
on board the Royalist, greatly crowd
ing the vessel.
Many people are leaving Samoa, the
captain of the Royalist urging them
10 go SO as not to intefere with the
military operations.
The Porpoise has shelled the villages
east and west of Apia and captured
many boats.
The Americans and British are fight
ing splendidly together, but there is a
bitter feeling against the Germans.
Two men. British and "a German
subject, have been arrested as spies.
The bombardmont of the jungle was
for time very hot.