The record-union., 1899-05-05
When He Learned the Americans and Brit
ish Meant to Force the Issue.
Will Be No More Hosti1ities Pend
ing the Reaching of a Conclu-
sion by the Commission Now on
the Way to the Islands-Rebe1s
Admit That the Result of the
Battle at Valima Was the
Greatest Reve0e They Ever
Experienced.

AUCKLAND On. r., May 4.-Advices
received here from Apia Samoa to AL ri
10Th, state that the rebel loss by the
Smelling of the Mataafan stronghold at
/ Vailima by the warships of Great Bit
ain and the United States was quite
heavy. Many of the rebels were wound
ed The house in which the late Robert
Louis Stevenson lived was riddled with
shot
On April 22d there was a sharp Skin
mish between the rebels and Lieutenant
r. A. Gaunt's brigade near the town of
Vailima, In this engagement one Ma
taafan was killed. The lines of the
friendllies were attacked in the darkness
at two points, but none of them were
killed.
On April 23d there was some bush
fighting. Lieutenant Gaunt's brigade.
numbering 800 men, advanced under a
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
Lieutenants, Innes, Hickman, Shuler
and Heathcote, under Lieutenant
Gaunt, led the loyalists.
The New Zealand Government steam
er Tutanekai had arrived at Apia with
dispatches announcing the request Of
the international Commissioners that
the inhabitants peacefully await the ar
rival of Commissioners who are now on
their way to the islands from San Fran
cisco. A meeting Of the three Consuls, in
view of this message, was held but
without result, the German Consul dis
senting from the propositions of the
other Consuls.
Admiral Albert Kautz, q. S. N, and
Captain Stuart of the British cruiser
Tauranga, dispatched a message
through French priest to Mataafa
ordering him to withdraw his forces
outside of line ten miles long and six
miles broad Mataafa replied defantly,
refusing 70 withdraw unless the Ger
man Consul and the Captain of the
German cruiser Fake agreed.
Admiral Kautz and Captain Stuart
thereupon sent an ultimatum TO Mataa-
ia threatening to compel the withdraw
al of his forces. In support of this Ill
/ timatum plan of action was decided
upon. Lieutenant .Gaunt's brigade was
strengthened and a heavy gun was
landed at Mulinuu and war rockets
Were got in readiness
Being informed of these preparations,
Mataafa made prompt reply, agreeing
to withdraw Immediately.
On April Doth an important meeting
of the King and his chiefs was held
They were Informed of the action that
had been taken by the British and
American naval commanders and gave
it general approval
Lieutenant Guant's brigade is now
patroling the prescribed area King
Tanu visited Admiral Kautz and Cap
tain Stuart on board the American and
British ships and was received with the
Gust omiary salutes on his arrival and
departure. Hufnagel, manager of the
plantation upon which an attack was
made by British and American sailors
resulting in the death of Lieutenant
Freeman of the British navy, Lieu
tenant Lansdale and Ensign John R.
Monaghan of the United States cruiser
Philadelphia and two others, is still de-
tanned on board the German cruiser
Fake
The gun carriage from the Philadel-
phfa, which was lost at the time of the
engagement has been recovered, but
the gun is still in the hands of the
rebels Official and Leading residents Of
Samoa who have been interviewed
unite in saying that the charges of in
humanity ON the part of the British,
which were made by a man named La
roch, are untrue.
A majority of the inhabitants are
highly dissatisfied with the cessation of
hostilities. They say that Mataafa is
beaten now and that the trouble would
be all ended in a week or ten DAYS
We're the advantage pushed. The rebels
are delighted at the delay, which will
give them time to refill cartridge shells
and build more forts. 1t is the general
opinion that the islands will be unin-
habitable except for Germans and
Frenchmen unless Mataafa and the
rebel chiefs are severely punished
1t is doubtful if British or American
subjects will give much evidence be-
fore the international Commission, ow-
ing to a fear that to express them
selves candidly would interfere with
trade relations. For this reason the
~ to be one-sided.
The statement by the German Min
lister for Foreign Affairs. Baron Won
ly elected King, is denounced in Samoa
The rebels admit that the result of
the battle at Vailima was the greatest
reverse they have ever experienced.
They were astonished by the manner
in which Gaunt's brigade sustained its
position in the face of a continuous
fire They were also astonished at the
final Smelling of Vailima, by which
many of the rebels were badly wound
ed.
KAUTZ CONFIRMS THE PRESS RE-
PORTS
WASHINGTON, May 4-The follow
ing cablegram has been received at the
Navy Department from Admiral Kautz:
Auckland, May 4 (sub-dated Apia
April 2D.-Secretary of the Navy,
Washington: All is quiet at Apia. Ma
taafa and his chiefs have agreed to keep
outside of the lines prescribed by the
British senior officer present, and
to until the commission
There will be no more fighting.
'KAUTz."