Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1899-04-05
THE SAMOAN AFF AIR.
1t Suddenly Assumes Proportions
->'@ of a Startling Nature. s5
Mahaafa Becomes Defiant, and United
States and British Cruisers Be- ~
GIN a B0mbardment - Rup- ~ =
ture Not Likely. ..5.:

Apia, Samoan Islands, March %, via
Auckland, N. T., March 80. - The
troubles growing out of the election of
a king of Samoa have taken a more Sc
rious turn and resulted in the bonn
bardment of native villages along the
shore by the United States cruiser Phil
adelphia, Admiral Kautz commanding,
and the British cruisers Porpoise and
Royalist. The bombardment has con-
tinued internationally for eight days.
Several villages have been burned, and
there have been number of casualties
among the American and British sailors
and marines. Asyet it is impossible to
estimate the number of natives killed or
injured.
Provisional Government Dismissed.
AS Mataafa and his chiefs, constitute
ing the provisional government, con-
tinued to defy the treaty after the ar
rival of the Philadelphia, Admiral
Kautz summoned the various consuls
and the senior naval officers to confer
ence on board the Philadelphia, when
the whole situation was carefully can
vassed. The upshot was a resolution to
dismiss the provisional government,
and Admiral Kautz issued proclama-
ton 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.
Upheld by German Consul.
Herr Rose, the German consul at
Apia, issued proclamation supple
menting the one he had issued several
weeks before, upholding 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 pro-
visional government. The Americans
then fortified Mulinuu, where $4,000
Malietoans took. refuge. The rebels
the adherents of Mataafa-barricade
the roads within the municipality and
seized the British houses.
Mulinuu BOmba rt1ed.
An ultimatum was then sent to them,
ordering them to evacuate, and threat
ening them, in the event of refusal,
with a bombardment to commence at
IS. 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 fixed for the bombardment The
Philadelphia Porpoise and Royaist
opened fire upon the distant villages.
There was great difficulty in locating
the enemy, owing to the dense forest;
but several shore villages were soon in
flames.
Opinion in Washington.
Washington, March 30.-The news
from Samoa that the United States
cruiser Philadelphia and the British
cruisers Porpoise and Royalist had
bombarded the towns held by Mataafa,
who has thus far had the official sup
port of the German government, came
with startling suddenness to officials
here, and displaced for the time being
the attention given to the fighting
around Manila. The Smelling of Ma
taafa was looked upon as of secondary
Importance, but the deepest interest at
taches to the attitude of the German
government. At first apprehensions
were felt that grave international COM
plications might ensue. But those most
intimately familiar with the latest Of
fetal exchanges between Washington,
London and Berlin did not take such a
gloomy view of the outlook.
A Rupture Not Likely.
While recognizing that the bloodshed
at Samoa created a very serious and
delicate situation, yet it was said to
he a situation which had been clearly
apprehended and had been discussed
in advance between the representatives
of the three governments. The real
crisis, from an interna tional standpoint,
occurred last week, when this appre-
hended outbreak was discussed. Al
though relations were greatly strained,
it was possible to secure an understand
ing which is said to make sure that
the outbreak now reported will not
cause a rupture in the relations be-
tween the United States and Germany,
or between Great Britain and Ger
many.