The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-08

cisco, April 81 ne ASSOclateu IicSS CUT
respondent had an interview with Ad-
miral Kautz yesterday. He spoke quite
freely on the situation, and considers he
has been grossly insulted by the German
consul general issuing his counter procla-
nation. The admiral takes the stand
that the Berlin treaty. which he Is in
structed by his government TO uphold.
does not make any provision whatever
for a provisional government. His in
structions are 10 carry out the treaty
in accordance with the views OF ma
jority of the consular representatives.
The admiral is very wroth with the
German consul. and blames him entirely
for the present attitude of the rebels. as
the natives We're -obeying- his command
to retire to their homes when the Ger
man proclamation was issued.
Following is the proclamation Of Ad-
miral KautZ i'm full:
"A proclamation TO his highness Ma
taafa and the i3 chiefs associated with
him In particular, and TO all the people
OF Samoa, both foreign and native. in
general:
Whereas, at meeting held this
day on board the United States flagship
Philadelphia at anchor at Apia, at
which were present the consular repre-
sentatives OF the signatory powers OF
the Berlin treaty OF 1889. and the three
senior naval officers OF the same powers.
Il was agreed that the so-called pro-
vsional government under High Chief
Mataafa and 13 other chiefs can have no
legal status under the Berlin treaty. and
can therefore, not be recognized by the
consular and naval representatives, IL
is hereby ordered that the high chief and
the l3 other chiefs go quietly TO their
homes and obey the laws OF Samoa and
respect the Berlin treaty.
"2-It is further ordered that all the
chiefs and their people, who have been
elected from their homes, and who have
been sent TO different points in the
Samoan islands. return quietly TO their
aforesaid homes. without molestation.
'3-The guarantee OF protection, as far
as lies in the power OF the naval force
now I'm this harbor, is given TO all who
quietly obey this order: on the other
hand, il will be used against all who
disregard II or the rights of quiet and
peaceably disposed people.
1.-THE treaty of Berlin recognizes
the chief Justice OF Samoa as the highest
officer under the existing government.
and as long as he holds his office his
authority must be respected, and the
decree OF the court must be carried out.
"5-Trusting that all residents OF
Samoa will have the good sense TO OBJ
serve the requirements Of this procla-
nation. which is issued In the interest
OF peace, with an earnest regard for
the rights OF all. both foreign and ma
tive, and so may be no occasion TO use
power TO enforce IT,"
The British and American oonsuls and
naval officers agree with the admiral.
There have been lively times in Samoa
during the past few days. The United
States and British warshtps have shelled
Mataafa's forces repeatedly, and sailors
have been landed In Apia TO protect
property. Numerous casualties have re-
suited on both sides. Admiral Kautz
and the commanders of the British
ships are anxiously awaiting advices
from their governments, and In the
meantime the sheliing proceeds daily.
This proclamation was taken to Ma
taafa and read 10 him by Flag Lieu
tenant Miller. 1t was received in
silence. and no answer was made. Ma
taafa and his chiefs quietly left and
nicipality. and il seemed as If they were
about to obey the command TO return to
their homes
The German consul however, issued
counter proclamation i'm the Samoan
language, which was distributed among
the Mataafans The proclamation
read as follows:
by the proclamation OF the admiral
OF the United States. dated March IL, il
was made known that the three con-
stils-of the signatory powers of the Ber-
lin treaty. as well as the three COM
manders of men Of war, had been unani-
nous to no more recognize the provis-
ional Eevernment composed of Mataafa
and the t3 chiefs.
II. thesvSore. make known To you that
this proclamation is quite false. I.
the German consul. general continue TO
recognize the provisional government OF
Samoa, until | have received contrary
instructions from my government
The Immediate result OF this act was
that the rebels turned back and prepared
for war. declaring that they would not
obey the odmirals order. and would
prevent any food supplies being brought
into Samoa for the Malietoa natives.
The next day Apia was surrounded by
Mataafas warriors. Forces from the
1hlladtip'ud ..-4'. JrI~.5~ "SIc ldndeu
10 protect the loyal natives.
On Tuesday. Mataafa having failed 10
appear. Flag Lieutenant Miller was sent
TO deliver an ultimatum. He was not
allowed tn see the chief bat delivered his
message and retired. Everything looked
ugly, and British and American blue
Jackets were landed In Apis TO protect
the consulatcs. Qnck-fring machines
and small field pieces were also landed.
Hostilities commenced on Tuesday az
ternoon. when half a dozen Malietoa
men were taken by the Mataafans. They
were taken % hea dquarters and bound
On Wednesday morning notice was
spread that N no answer was received
from Mataafa by ! O'Clock the Phila-
deiphia would Gre one Of her large guns.
followed by three oneminute guns.
Mataafa sent no answer. He and his