Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-04-15
FIGHTING IN SAMOA.
British and Americans Ambushed by the
Natives.

British and Americans Ambushed by the
Natives.
More serious trouble has occurred
in Samoa. The new development is as
old as April l; but news of it was
only received in this country on last
Wednesday.
The news comes by way of Auck-
land, New Zealand, April IL, having
been hurried there from Samoa as soon
as possible after its development.
A party of los American and Brit
ish sailors from the United States cruis-
.er Philadelphia and the British cruiser
Tauranga, ventured into the interior
to compel the followers of Mataafa,
the rebel chief, to give obedience to
the joint proclamation issued by the
American and British consuls. 1t
seems that the Americans and British
had called upon the natives to give
their allegiance to King Malietoa. The
German consul issued proclamation
in favor of Mataafa, and the Ameri-
cans and British came back again in
favor of Malietoa. 1t was this last
proclamation, to enforce which the ex-
pedition went into the interior.
Upon big plantation managed by a
German, the American and British
force was ambushed by about 800 fol-
lowers of Mataafa. The ambush is
said to have been planned by the Ger
man plantation manager, who is also
said to have directed the natives in the
fight. -.
The Americans and British are said
to have fought bravely against the
overwhelming odds; but after their
Colt machine gun had become jammed
and rendered unfit for service, they
were compelled to retreat to the beach,
under protection of the guns Of the
warships. 1t is related, however, that
it was not until "retreat" had been
sounded three different times that the
sailors and marines turned their backs
to the natives.
Lieutenant Freeman, Lieutenant
Lansdale and Ensign ]. R. Monahan,
of the cruiser Philadelphia, were left
dead on the field. Two American and
two British sailors were also killed.
The loss of Mataafa is said to have
been 40 killed and quite large num-
ber wounded.
The natives were left in possession
of the field, and when afterward the
Americans and British returned, they
found that the heads Of the slain had
been severed from their bodies. The
bodies were buried with proper cere-
monies, and afterward French priests
brought in the missing heads, which
were buried with the bodies.
Although the natives carried away
the bodies of the slain, when the Am
orleans and British afterward looked
over the field, they found many evil
dences of considerable slaughter. Be-
hind thick palm trees were pools of
blood. This showed where bullets had
gone through the trees and killed the
men who were hiding behind them.
The fighting has created great ex-
cltement in Washington, London and
Berlin, and in fact throughout the
world. The probable result of it is q
matter of doubt. 1t is likely to inter-
fere with the settlement by commits
sioners recently agreed upon. Of
course, it does not necessarily follow
that Germany will endorse the action
of her consul in Samoa. If she does,
that will mean war. She can apollo
ogize very nicely if she sees fit to do
so and settle the trouble; but, of
course, this will mean the loss of her
prestige in Samoa. The German plan
tation manager, who is accused of hav-
ing planned the ambush, is now under
arrest on board the British cruiser.
The British will demand his punish
ment if guilty, and if the Germans
should undertake to defend him, the
complications are likely to be serious.