Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-04-13

Apia, Samoa, via San Francisco,
April S.-There have been lively times
in Samoa during the past few days.
The United States and British war
ships have shelled Mataafa's forces
repeatedly and sailors have been land
ed in Apia to protect property. MI
merous casualties have resulted on
both sides.
Admiral Kautz and the commanders
Of the British ships are anxiously
awaiting advices from their govern
ments and in the meantime the she'll
ing proceeds daily.
On March % King TanumadiIi Ma
lietOa was crowned king of Samoa, at
Mulinuu. Admiral Kautz and Captain
White of the Philadelphia, Captain
Sturdee and Captain Forelesse of the
PoTpoise and Royalist, the United
States and British consuls and the
chief justice were present at the GER
emory, which was attended by all the
representative Americans and British
Sailors from the American and British
ships composed the guard of honor.
The procession marched all through
Apia, headed by the band of Apia.
The Porpoise and Philadelphia fired a
royal salute of 81 guns, but the Fake
lay in the harbor as if she and her
captain had not the slightest interest
IN Samoa. The German officials were
conspicuous by their absence.
Everybody is anxiously awaiting def
| mite news from the three powers. 1t
is thought that if Germany acknowl-
edges Malietoa king, the rebellion will
be broken up; if not Admiral Kautz
will take stronger measures than hith-
erto. The British steamer Tauranta
| arrived today. At present there are
on shore 1S5 men from the Philadel-
phia and 250 from the Porpoise and
| Royalist. The Tauranga has nearly
400 men and the achievements will
enable the admiral to take offensive
measures. So far he has been com
PEELED to be on the defensive on land.
When Admiral Kautz arrived on the
Philadelphia, he spent two days in
making inquiries and then called
senior officers of all the warsnlps in
the harbor. AS a result of the meet
ing, proclamation was issued by the
American admiral declaring that the
sO-called provisional government I'M
der Mataafa can have no legal status
under the Berlin treaty and therefore
cannot be recognized by the consular
and naval representatives, and order
ing Mataafa and his supporters to go
to their homes and respect the laws of
the Berlin treaty. 1t was further Or
dered that the people elected from
their homes be returned and the power
of the naval force, it was stated, would
be used against all who disregarded
the right of peaceably disposed people.
The authority OF the chief justice
was upheld by the proclamation and
the admiral closed by saying that he
trusts that there may be no occasion
to use military powers. The procla-
nation was signed by Admiral Kautz.
This proclamation was taken to
Mataafa and read to him by Flag
Lieut.. Miller. 1t was received in
silence and no answer was made
Mataafa and his chiefs quietly
left and went to the western portion
of the municipality and it seemed as
if they were about to obey the COM
mand to return to their homes.
The German consul, however, issued
a counter proclamation in the Samoan
language, which was distributed
among the Mataafans. The proclama-
ton reads as follows:
Notice to all SamGans:-By the
proclamation of the admiral of the
United States, dated March II, was
made known that the three consuls of
the signatory powers to the Berlin
treaty, as well as to the three COM
manders of men-of-War, had been
unanimous to no more recognize the
provisional government composed of
Mataafa and the IS chiefs. l. there
fore, make known to you that this
proclamation is quite false. Lam the
German consul general and continue
to recognize the provisional govern
ment of Samoa until l have received
contrary information from my gov
eminent. Rose,
German Consul General"
| The immediate result of this act was
that the rebels turned back and pre-
pared for war, declaring that they
would not obey the admiral's order
and prevent any food supplies from
| being brought into Samoa for the Ma
| lietoa natives. The next day Apia
was surrounded by Mataafas warriors
Forces from the Philadelphia and Por-
poise, under Lieuts. Brown and Cave,
were landed to protect the loyal ma
tives. On Tuesday, Mataafa, having
failed to appear, in response to the ad-
miraPs proclamation, Flag Lieut.. Mil
Ter was sent to deliver an ultimatum.
He was not allowed to see the chief, |
but delivered his message and retired. |
British and American blue-jackets !
were landed in Apia to protect the con-
sulates. Quick firing machines and |
small field pieces were also landed |
Hostilities commenced on Tuesday |
afteroon when half a dozen Malietoa !
men were taken by the Mataafans
They were taken to headquarters and
bound. On Wednesday morning notice
was spread that If no answer was re-
ceiVed from Mataafa by l o'clock the
Philadelphia would fire one of her
large guns, followed by three one-min-
ute guns. Mataafa sent no answer
He and his chiefs were bouyed up by
the German consuls proclamation ana