New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-21
ALURID TALE FROM SAMOA
GERMAN CAPTAIN SAID TO HAVE BEEN
ARRESTED BY TIE BRITISH.
ALLEGED THREAT BY ADMIRAL KAUTZ
AND CAPTAIN STURDEE TO OPEN
FIRE OK THE Fake

fBY TELEGRAPH tn THE TRTBuNE.I
Seattle. Wash. April 20.-The commander Oh
the German cruiser Fake is a prisoner on board
the British cruiser Porpoise at Apia, for giving
arms To the lnsurgent forces Lined up on either
side of the German war vessel are the American
cruiser Philadelphia and the British manor
war Porpoise. Both vessels are cleared for ac-
ton. and hold all board the German vessel
prisoners. At least. this was the state OF al
fairs at the Samoan capital two weeks ago ac-
cording to stories told by passengers on the
steamship Aorangi. which arrived in the Royal
Roads this morning. She touched at the lslaho
of Savail, the most northery OF the samoan
group, and this startling news was told by the
passengers Of the inter-!sand steamer upolu'
plying there from Apia.
The German commander. according 10 the
story. was surprised on shore by squad or
marines and sailors from the Porpoise. win
handful Of German sailors. he was distributing
ammunition to a crowd Of sub-chlefs and hght-
ing men of the Mataafa party. The British ef-
fected the capture without firing shot ana
took the German commander directly to Captain
Sturdee. A consultation between Admiral kautz'
Captain White, of the Philadelphia. and Cap
tain Sturdee of the Porpose was held imme-
diately It was decided TO put British Ameri-
can guard over the German war vessel Ihe
Philadelphia and the Porpoise were assigned 10
positions on either side OF the German. while
the British cruiser Tauranga kept up patrol
Word was sent to the Germans that any at
tempt to escape would result in the Philadelphia
and the Porpose opening fire Immediately. No
one was to be allowed to leave the Fake with
out order signed either by Captain Sturdee,
of the Porpoise, Admiral Kautz.
STORY TOLD WITH DETAILS
An officer Of the Aorangi made this statement
to-day:
"Our news from Apia comes from passengers
Of the steamer Upolu. who left that point short
~ after the German commander was captured
There seemed to be no doubt about the main
facts as all on the Upolu knew OF ii. Both Brit
ish and Americans have kept several large de-
tachments on shore since the trouble of April J.
The Germans have been closely watched, and IT
was result Of this watch that the German
commander was captured. The landing was
made secretly and at night. patrol Of British
sailors fortunately came upon the party with
the arms just as the distribution was being ef-
fected. The German commander. with several
men and another officer. experimenting the
transaction and giving instructions TO the native
chiefs of Mataafas army. They were surprised
by superior force, and there was no fighting.
The Germans carried off to the Porpose,
and the Mataafa chiefs turned over to friendly
natives. Both of the guarding vessels, as well
as the Fake were stripped for action. The Ger
mans were expecting the arrival of another war
vessel. and the ritIsh-Aserican forces wer'
anxfously waiting for the coming Of the Com
mission I have seen no official account Of the
affair, and did not learn what the British Amer
leans intended to do.
FIGHTING STILL CONTINUES.
other officers and passengers confirm the fore
going story. From them it is learned that the
fighting continues betw' en- the forces of Ma
taafa and those OF Malietoa Tanu. Bush fights
with slight loss of life were of daily occurrence
No business was being done at Apia. great
deal Of sickness is reported among the crews
of the Porpoise and the Philadelphia. Three OF
the Porpoise's crew died from fever and were
buried on shore with military honois. Lieu
tenant Garnet Of the Porpoise, who had dis
tinguished himself in several engagements on
shore, was the only officer reported sick. The
general opinion seemed to be that the cause OF
Mataafa was waning. and that he could not
hold out much longer.