The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-21
A NEW K|NK PUT IN
THE SAMOAN TANGLE
Captain of the Fake Arrested
by the British.
CAUGHT ARMING NATIVES
NOW a PRISONER on THE WAR
SHIP PORPOISE.
THE Fake PUT BETWEEN TWO FIRES
British and Americans Threaten to Blow The
German Out of the Water. A Mistake
Regarded as Probable.

Seattle, Wash, April 2O.-A Times
special from Victoria, B. c., saws that
the steamer Morangi, from Australia.
brings advices that the commander of
the German man-of-war Fake at Samoa
has been arrested by the British. and is
now held Il prisoner on the vessel Por-
poise. He was surprised by Il squad of
British sailors handing arms and am
munition to Mataafa's men The -.
port was brought to Australia by the
passengers on The steamer Upola
After the arrest Of the Fakes com
mander conference was held between
Captain Sturdee and Admiral Kautz,
and the Porpoise and PHILADELPHIA
steamed into a position on either side
of the Fake. Orders We're then sent
aboard that ii she made move of any
kind she would be blown out of the
water. No one is allowed to go aboard
or leave the German ship of war without
permission. written and signed by either
Captain -Sturdee Of the Porpoise, or
Admiral kautz.
Fighting continues between the forces
of Mataafa and Malietoa Tanus Bush
fights with slight loss are daily occur
rences and business is practically at IL
standstill. There is considerable sick
ness among the seamen of the Porpoise
and Philadelphia. Three of the Por-
poise's crew died from fever. Lieufen-
ant Garnet of the Porpoise, is among
the sick. Mataafa's cause is waning
April 4th is the date on which the
reported arrest was made.
WASHINGTON SCOUTS THE
REPORT.
Washington. April 2O.-The state
ment that the commander of the Ger
man cruiser Fake had been arrested at
Apia by the British naval commander
was at once secuted by the officials to
whom it was referred here. Both Secre-
tary Hay mad Secretary Long express
ed their disbelief in the accuracy of the
report Attention was directed to the
fact that the Navy Department had
heard from Admiral kantz by cable
from Auckland at later date than that
upon which the steamer just arrived ut
Victoria must have sailed from Apia on
her long eastward voyage. Admiral
kautz dispatch was dated Apia April
18th and it was forwarded from the
nearest cable station--Auckland April
18th. 1t is regarded as extremely unlike
~ that IL steamer could have made the
trip from .Apia to Victoria since April T.
1t is suggested as an explanation of
the story. that the steamers crew had
heard of the arrest of the German man
ager of the plantation where the Amer-
can and British sailors were ambushed,
and of his being taken aboard the Brit
ish warship. and had jumped at til"
conclusion that the person arrested was
the German commander.
1t is pointed out in official German
quarters that the arrest of the com
nlander of one warship by the COM
mander of another ship is an absurdity.
and moreover cable advices have reach
cd the Embassy much later than those
which steamer have brought to British
Columbia, and no such action was dis
closed.
The British Embassy is also without
any information of such an occurrence.