Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-04-12
A DEADLY AMBUSH.
British and American Officers Shot
Down and Beheaded By Ma
taafa's Warriors.
lNSTIGATED BY A GERMAN
The Naval Party Forced to Retreat to the
Beach, But Seven of the Rebel
Warriors We're Slain

Auckland, N. H., April 12.-Dispatch-
es from Apia, Samoa, dated April 4, say
that 105 American and British sailors
were forced to retreat to the beach after
having been caught in ambush on a
German plantation. The expedition was
led by Lieutenant A. H. Freeman, Of the
British cruiser. Lauranga: Lieutcnants
Freeman, p. l.. Lansdale and Ensign
j. r. Monaghan, of the United States
cruiser Philadelphia. were left dead on
the field. Ensign Monaghan remained
to assist Lieutenant Lansdale, and was
shot in retiring. Two British and two
American sailors were killed. The ma
tves engaged were some OF Mataafa's s
warriors. They severed the heads of
the officers killed. Priests afterwards
brought the heads into Apia. The man
ager of the German plantation has
been arrested on af1idavts declaring
that he was seen urging the rebels to
fight. In a previous engagement soven
Of Mataafa's warriors were killed
THE PRACTICE OF TAKING HEADS
Auckland, N. H., April 12.-Further
advices from Apia, Samoa, say that on
the arrival of the British cruiser Lau-
ranga at Apia the British and American
consuls issued a proclamation giving
Mataafa a last chance. The French
priests also used their influence, but all
efforts failed, the rebels continuing dep
relations. Property was destroyed and
bridges and roads barricaded On
March 80 the enemy was sighted at
Maguigi and machine guns and seven
FOUNDER were used. The ''frendlies"
also attacked the enemy during the lat
ter's retreat, when several rebels We're
killed or wounded. The "friendlies"
carried one head through Apia which
made Captain Stuart so furious that he
went to the king and threatened to
shoot any man found taking heads The
king then issued a proclamation forbid
ding the practice.
The German consul wrote to Admiral
Kautz asking if two great Christian ma
tions approved Of this inhuman and
barbarous practice against the laws of
Christianity and the DEGREES of the su-
preme court. The admiral replied,
agreeing with the consul as to the in
humanity of the practice of head TAX
ing, but said the custom was an old Sa-
moan one, first made known to the
world ten years ago, when the heads Of
honest German soldiers We're cut off by
the barbarous Chief Mataafa, whom the
rnrN fafi IF hn 1ry,tcf ft.,,,
nation Of Germany was now supporting.
Expeditions in armed cutters belong
ing to the Lauranga and Porpoise are
doing considerable execution against
Mataafas strongholds along the coast.
The British forces are assisted by 100
Samoans. About 46 of Mataafa's boats
and several villages have been destroy
ed. Meantime, flying columns are sent
daily along the roads and through the
bush near Apia.
SERIOUS COMPLICATION FEARED.
Washington, April PA dispatch
was received from Admiral Kautz con-
firming the Associated Press report of
bloody encounter at Apia. The news
was received with a feeling approach
ing dismay. The secretary of the Ger
man embassy called early in the day
upon Secretary Hay, but neither official
would disclose anything that took place.
The arrest by the British naval officials
of a German subject Is one of the most
dangerous features in the controversy.
1t Is said that the consuls of the three
powers stationed at Apia claim extra
territorial jurisdiction, involving the
right to try subjects of their respective
countries for any offenses alleged to
have been committed. Under this prac-
tice, the German consul, Rose, may de-
mand the surrender of the German. If
the man is guilty, it is considered i'm
probable the British will yield, unless
will be sufficiently punished. 1t is not
believed Rose will make any such prom
Use. 1t is believed that Admiral Kautz
will continue his efforts to bring the
rebellious natives to terms.
In diplomatic quarters there was
disposition to treat the news as grave,
but not as disrupting plans for settle
ment. A sharp difference developed be-
tween the British and German foreign
offices, as to getting the high commits
sion off for Samoa on the 10Th. Lord
Salisbury says the commissioners cam
not be instructed by telegraph, so as to
get away by the 10Th. The British view
is that there is no chance Of getting
away until next month.