The San Francisco call., 1899-09-16
MAT AAFA WRITES
To PRESIDENT
Expresses Friendship for
Am erica.
REGRETS RECENT WAR
RETURNS WATCH OF THE LATE
LIEUTENANT LANSDALE.
Was Conveyed to the Widow in This
City by Correspondent of London
Times, Who Also Visited
Mckinley.
RETURNS WATCH OF THE LATE
LIEUTENANT LANSDALE.
Special Dispatch to III. Cali.

WASHINGTON, Sept 15-The Pres.-
cent received in audience at the White
house this afternoon John George Leigh.
who has spent several months in Samoa
as special correspondent Of the London
Times and IS now on his return journey
10 England While in one OF the black
villages OF Cpolu Mr.. Leigh learned that
Z watch believed 70 have belonged TO
either Lieutenant LansdaIe or Ensign
Monaghan, the two officers Of the cruiser
Philadelphia who were killed during the
recent war against MaIaafa, had been
found and was in the possession OF q na-
live. He at once communicated with Ma
taafa. whom ne had visited only e few
days previously. and promptly received g
reply from the high chief assuring him
that 10 effort would be spared 70 recover
the relic. and begging him. should the
search prove successful. TO restore the
watch 10 the r1ghtfuI owner with my
heartfelt condolences
He added: You know what feel about
America and the late unhappy war At
the same time ne placed az Mr.. Leigh :
command his grandson and q boats crew
VINO were instructed 10 carry IN every
necessary direction Mataafa's order 10 his
adhsre1ts. While these messengers were
n the Island OF SeyGii q watch and chain
with locket and other articles attached
were handed 10 Mr.. Leigh and identified
Is the property OF the Late Lieutenant
LSnsdals.
\ few days later the correspondent left
samoa Tor san Francisco, where he met
the young widow OF the lamelted officer
and placed the tHnkets in her possession
LSns ago. at the tlsugetiou OF his family
and Or LansdaIe's comrades in the navy
unsuccessful efforts had been made 10
trace the articles. SO hope that they ever
would De found had been practically
aoandoned- Mr.. Leigh this afternoon
handed TO the President a letter from
Mz-2a-2 hn S1ff =
translation:
To his Excellency William NcKin-
ley, PresIcent OF the United States OF
Amer1ca-EOur EXcelleucy- I have TO-
day been informed that a watch has
been found BY one OF my people which
Is believed 70 have belonged 70 Lieu
tenant LzDsdale or Ensign MONAGHAN
who were unhapPily killed in battle
al Fatlele on April I. 7 have learned
thst Mr.. Leigh IS about 70 leave Sa-
noa for America and I have asked
MIN 20 convey the watch 70 your EN-
ceLe1Cy, IN the hope that you will
cause Il 70 be restored 70 the bereaved
mother or nearest relative Of the brave
and nuCh-lamented officer. M Leigh
VIII tell you that I have sincerely de-
plored the sad. uutimeIy death OF the
brave officers and men who came from
America and pershed in the late IN
happy useless war Ny sorrow IS the
more because Of the great friendship
which your great country has il the
past extended 70 Samoa I an eSua-
Ctaly anxious that this should be made
known 70 the sadly stricken mothers
and relatives. May II be the will OF
God that there may never again be
strife between America and The Sa-
means and that the three powers viii
recognize ny submission 10 their will
and desire FOR good government
pray God may give you long life.
T J. MATAAFA
Mr.. Mckinley. in the course Of conver-
satLon with Mr. Leigh. expressed hirnse. Z
much gratiied at this proof OF Nataafa's 5
thoughtful humanity and said that il
would afford him more than ordinary
pleasure 70 personally respond 70 the let
ter He very warmly thanked Mr. Leigh
for his action in the matter and for hav-
ing personally conveyed the relics 70 Mrs
Lansdale- When Ar- Leigh left Samoa
active eldedvOrs were being made 10 re-
cover Ensign Mouaghan's watch and Mr
Leigh believes that IL viii follow him 20
Washington by the mail due in & week
or So In that event il will OF course, be
O7Ce Forwarded -Ea -zT=