The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-31
(Copyrighted by Associated Press.)

copyrighted by Associated Hress.)
Apia. Samoa, March 23.-(Via AUX
land, N. T., March 29.)-The troubles
growing out of the election of king
of Samoa have taken a more serious
turn, and resulted in a bombardment
of native villages along the shore by
the United States cruiser Philadelphia,
Admiral Kautz commanding, and the
British cruisers Porpoise and Royal
ist The bombardment has continued
intermittently for eight days. Several
villages have been burned, and there
have been a number of casualties
among the American and British sail
ors and marines. AS yet it is impos-
sible to estimate the number of ma
tives killed or injured.
AS Mataafa and his chiefs, consti-
tuting the provincial government, con-
tinued to defy the treaty after the
arrival of the Philadelphia, Admiral
Kautz summoned the various consuls
and senior naval officers to a confer
ence on board the Philadelphia, when
the whole situation was carefully can
VaSsed. The upShOt was resolution
to dismiss the provincial government,
and Admiral KautZ issued a proclama-
ton calling. upon Mataafa and his
chiefs to return to their homes.
Mataafa evacuated Mulinuu, the
town he had made his headquarters,
and went into the interior.
Herr Rose, the German consul at
Apia, issued a proclamation supple
menting the one he had issued several
weeks before, upholding the provincial
government. AS a result Of this the
Mataafas assembled in large force and
hemmed in the town.
The British cruiser Royalist brought
the Malietoa prisoners from the islands
to wfifch they had been transferred by
the provincial government.
The Americans then fortified Null
nuu, where $4,000 Malietoans took
refuge. The rebels-the adherents of
Observation-Disclosures the roads within
the municipality and seized the Brit
ish houses.
An ultmatum was then sent to them,
ordering them to eVacuate, and threat
ening them in the event of refusal, with
a bOmbardment to commence at l
o'clock on the afternoon of March 18th.
This was ignored and the rebels COM
menced an attack in the direction Of
the United States and British consul
lates about half an hour before the
time fixed for the bombardment. The
Philadelphia, the Porpoise and the
Royalist opened fire upon the distant
villages. There was great difficulty in
locating the enemy, owing to the dense
forest, but several shore villages were
soon in flames.
A defective shell from the Philadel-
phia exploded near the American con-
sulate, and the marines outside mar
rowly escaped. A fragment struck the
leg of Private Dudge, shattering it so
badly as to neceSSitate amputatiOn.
Another fragment traversed the Ger
man consulate, smashing the crockery.
The Germans then went on board the
German cruiser Fake.
During the night the rebels made a
hot attack on the town, killing three
British sailors. A British marine was
shot in the leg by a sentry of his own
party. Another was shot in the foot
and an American sentry was killed at
his post
The bombardment continuing, the in
habtants of the town took refuge on
board the Royalist, greatly crowdins
the vessel.
Many people are leaving Samoa, the
captain of the ROyalist urging them to
go, so as not to interfere with the mil
itary operations.
The Porpoise has shelled the villages
east and west of Apia and captured
many boats.
The Americans and British are fight
ing splendidly together, but there is a
bitter feeling against the Germans.
Two men, a British and a German sub
ject,. lave been arrested as spies.
TIE bombardment of the jungle was
for time very hot.
London, March 29.-The foreign Of
flee authorizes the statement that the
discussions going on between Great
Britain, the United States and Germany
with regard to Samoa, are proceeding
in a friendly and satisfactory manner.
Berlin, March 29.-The Hamburgische
correspondence, dealing with the ques-
ton of installing DR.. Self, who will
succeed DR.. Joannes Raeffel as presi-
dent of the municipality of Apia in the
absence of a generally recognized Sa-
moan government, says THE three
powers have arranged that the Ger
man, British and American consuls are
to install the new president of the mu-
nicipality."
Apia, Samoan Islands, March 23.-
(Via Auckland, N. T., March 29.)-The
British cruiser Tauranga, which, it is
understood, was intending to annex the
Tonga islands Ga section of the Friend
ly islands in the Pacific) was inter-
cepted at Suva, capital of the Fiji is
lands, by order of the home govern
ment.
AS VIEWED AT STATE DEPART
MENT.
Washington, March 29.-The news
from Samoa that the United States
cruiser Philadelphia and the British
cruisers Porpoise and Royalist had
bombarded towns held by Mataafa, who
has thus far had the official support
of the German government, came with
startling suddenness to officials here