Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1899-04-06

! Apia Samoan Islands, March %, via
| Auckland. y. T., March 30.-The
troubles growing out Of the election Of
a king of Samoa have taken 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. As yet it's impossible to-
estimate the number Of natives killed or
injured.
Provisional Government Dismissed
As Mataafa and his chiefs, constitut-
Ing the provisional government, con
tinued TO defy the treaty after the ar
rival Of the Philadelphia, Admiral
Kautz summoned the various consnls
and the senior naval officers to a confer
ence on board the Philadelphia, when
the whole situation was carefully cam
vassed The upshot was 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 nv 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 a 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 Muinuu, where $4,000
Malietoans took refuge. The rebels
the adherents of Mataafa barricaded
the roads within the municipality and
seized the British houses.
MuIinuu Bombardcd.
An ultimatum was then sent to them,
ordering them to evacuate, and threat
ening them, in the event of refusal,
with bombardment 10 commence at
one o'clock on the afternoon of March
Is. This was ignored, and the rebels
commenced an attack in the direction
of the United States aud British con-
sulates about half an hour before the
time fixed for the bombardmcnt The
Philadelphia, Porpoise and Royalist
opened fire upon the distant villages.
There was great difficulty IA locating
the enemy. owing to the dense forest,
but several shore villages were soon in
flames.
opinion in Washington.
Washington. March 80. The news
from Samoa that the United States
cruiser Philadelphia and the British
cruisers Porpoise and Royalist had
bonn barded 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 Tor the time being
;ne attention given TO the fighting
around Manila. The Smelling of Ma
taafa was looked upon as of secondary
Importance. but the deepest interest at
taehes to the attitude of the German
governments Al first apprehensions
ere felt hat grave international COM
pieations might ensue But those most
intimately familiar with the latest Of
fetal exchanges between Washington,
London and Berlin did not take such
gloomy view Of the outlook.
To settle the Trouble.
Washington, April Ia joint high
~ .
trouble has been practically agreed
upon hv the United States. British and
German governments. Lord Salisbury's
absence from London alone delays the
formal acceptance by Great Britain.
though in his absence Sir Thomas san
dcrSon and Mir Nilliers. who are under
stood 10 he specially familiar with the
samoan question. have approved the
plan for a commission The United
States has informally expressed its APP
( prevail. and the formal acceptance. II is
I learned from the highest quarter, will
/ follow speedily. rs the proposition
emanates with Germany her approval
Of course is assured. This high COM
mission it is felt. affords pacific solu-
/ ton 10 the whole trouble at the moment
. " men NatitdN aUAiiS tt'EtH ~ ARNN AAC
most threatening.
omctat Inflammation.
Washington April r. The following
dispatch was received on saturday:
Newcastle y : W March so Secretary
a. state Washington. u c: Mataafa peo-
pie obeycd orders 10 leave government
f reservations Since :hen have become AK
gre~SiVe killing Private Holloway and
three british sailors Our maH killed guard
T ms American consulate. German consul
general issued inccndiary proc amatfon.
SfXire that my proc .amatton was untrue
ana ~ should uphold provisional govern
m.ft The British forces &ct SEA eoHcs ri
wfththe Emitted states, shetling rebels where
they yau be reached hAlrL