The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-05-05
THE SITUATION SERIOUS
Germans and MataafanS
Claim Victory.
CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES

British Authortue. Calculated TO
Cause Renewal Of the Disturbances.
Denial OF Such Order by Our Govern.
ment-Kautz's Action Approved BY
the President-Horrers OF the Sftua-
uon Described by Mrs.
Wellington, n. T., April 2-Advices
from Samoa indicate that the instruc-
tons received from the powers to cease
hostilities makes the situation in the
islands very serious as the rebel hold
the main food supplies and are again
near the municipality Of Apia- The
correspondent of Reuser's News Agen-
cy thinks il is evident that the home
authorities have misunderstood the sit
uation in Samoa. The Germans and
the rebels are already jubilant, and
claim a victory over the British and
American forces. The correspondent
says that unless the rebels are made
TO submit the difficulties will remain
unsOlved. The white people in the out
skirts of the city are at the mercy of
the rebels.N The American vice con-
sul's store at Falifa was looted last
week, while a German store adjoining
it was left untouched. British and
American residents all strongly con-
denim the action of the powers in or
dering a cessation Of hostilities at this
stage.
Two days after the last battle at
Vailima Lieutenant R. A. Gaunt, of the
British cruiser Porpoise, marched his
brigade into Vailima unopposed, and
was followed by a company of British
bluejackets under Captain Sturdee and
Lieutenant Cave
Inspection of the battlefield shows
that the defences erected by the rebels
near the home of the late Robert Louis
Stevenson were strong and we'll plann-
ed. The loss sustained by the rebels,
it is evident. was much greater-than
was at first supposed. The main Sec
ton of Mataafa,s followers who were
engaged in the battle of Vailima re-
, treated westward to Lutumoenga;
where they lay in wait for friendlies.
Orders had been given them to cap
1; ture Lieutenant Gaunt's head. The
, rebels were also anxious to secure the
superior weapons with which his brig
ade is armed.
1t is rumored hat thirteen boats
filled with armed rebefs are approach
ing from the east. The town appears
to be safe.
ADMIRAL KAUTZS ACTION EN-
DORSED.
Washington, May at is denied Off
ciaIly here. that. any d restraint
has been imposed upon Admiral Kautz,
which should encourage the insurgents
in Samoa. On the contrary, Admiral
-~- 49, 49, ill.,
dent supports him in all that he has
done, n he is entirely satisfied with
his conduct and the Only injunction
laid upon the admiral has been to avoid
unnecessary slaughter and bloodshed.
This Injunction is not understood to in
any way restrain the officer from such
military and naval operations as in his
opinion is necessary to protect fully the
interests of the United States, Brit
ish and German residents in Samoa, for
it is expressly understood that Admiral
Kautz is present simply for the purpose
Of carrying out the treaty obligations
as to the interests of the citizens Of
the tripartite agreement and not as a
representative Of any one power.
So far no advices have come to eth
er the state or IVY departments as, of
the late of these last press dispatches;
hence, it is assume that no events of
great Importance have occurred war
ranting the sending of a cablegram
either by Admiral KautZ or United
States Consul Osborn.
A LETTER FROM MRS. STEVEN
SON.
London, May 2.-Robert Louis Ste
venson's widow has written a letter to
The Westminster Gazette from Fun
chal, Madeira, on the bombardment OF
Samoan villages by the English and
American warships. Mrs. Stevenson
says:
president Mckinley allowed no fir
ing on Cuban towns unless they CAV
active cause of offence and Commodore
Watson was ordered not to attack un-
defended Spanish cities. Does the pres
ident keep his humanity for civilized
countries alone"
Mrs. Stevenson declared that the Sa-
moan villages are inhabited in time OF
war by non-combatantS, who have tc
choos between the shells Of the war
ships and taking to the BUSH" Undel
such conditions, says, delicate Wo'
men can hardly exist while children
die like flies.
Mrs. Stevenson's letter concludes a:
follows:
l Chief Justice Chambers has beer
represented as saying in a letter to hi!
brother L never was happier. III
| must be a person singularly devoid o
l imagination if he eve pictured Il
, himself the scenes being enacted IL
. those bombarded villages; the exodus
! OF. panic-stricken people rushing hith
| er and thither, shells bursting every
where; the cries of bed-ridden ans
helpless wounded people burning aliv
in their blazing houses; women in tn
: pangs of child birth; mangled childreI
crawling on the sands; the sea befor
, them and he bush behind. And "
5 read that the woods also we're shelle6
r Who is to be held accountable for thes
deeds that disgrace both England an
America"
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