The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-05-12
WITNESSES TESTIFY OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
MATAAFA AT FIRST DEFIANT
WITHDRAWS.
Rebels Suffered Great Reverse in Bat
tie of Vailima-Evidence Before
Commission May be One-sided.

AUCKLAND, May 4, Apia, April 1T
The New Zealand Government steamer
Tutanekai arrived here with dispatches
announcing a request of the Interna
tional commissioners that the inhabi-
tants peacefully await the arrival of
commissioners now on their way to the
islands from San Francisco, has been
without result
Admiral Albert Kautz, u. S. N, and
Captain Stuart of the British cruiser
Tuuranga, wrote and dispatched
through a French priest to Mataafa,
ordering him to withdraw his forces
outside of a line ten miles long and six
miles broad. Mataafa replied defiantly,
refusing to withdraw unless the Ger
man consul and the captain of the Ger
man cruiser Fake agreed. Admiral
Kautz and Captain Stuart thereupon
sent an ultimatum to Mataafa, threat
ening to compel the withdrawal of his
forces In support of this ultimatum, a
plan of action was decided upon. Lieu
tenant Gaunt's brigade, strengthened
by heavy gun landed at Mulinuu and
war rockets were gotten in readiness.
Being informed of these preparations,
Mataafa made a prompt reply, agree
ing to withdraw Immediately. On April
25th an important meeting of the king
and his chiefs was held.
Hufnagel, manager of the plantation
upon which the attack was made on the
British and United States sailors,
which resulted in the death of Lieuten-
ant Freeman of the British navy, Lieu
tenant Lansdale and Ensign John X.
Monaghan of the United States cruiser
Philadelphia and two others, is still de-
tanned on board the German cruiser
Fake. The gun carriage from the
Philadelphia, lost at the time of the
engagement, was recovered but the gun
is still in the hands of the rebels. OIL
cials and leading residents of Samoa
who were interviewed are united IN
saying that the charges of inhumanity
on the part of the British, made by VI
man named Laroch, are untrue.
A majority of the inhabitants are
highly dissatisfied with the cessation of
hostlities. They say Mataafa is beat
en- now, and the trouble would be enued
in a week or ten days, were the advan-
tage pushed. The rebels are delighted
at the delay, which gives them time to
refill cartridges, shells, and build more
forts. 1t is the general opinion that the
islands will be uninhabitable except for
Germans and Frenchmen unless Ma
taafa and the rebel chiefs are severely
punished. 1t is doubtful whether Brit
| ish subjects or United States citizens
| will give much evidence bfore the In
| ternational commission, owing to the
| fear that to express themselves candid
| ly would interfere with their trade re-
| lations. For this reason the evidence
before the commission is likely to be
| one sided.
The statement by the German Minis
| ter of Foreign Affairs, Baron Won Bue-
| low, that Mataafa was unanimously
elected king of the Samoan Islands is
| denied in Samoa.
The rebels admit the result of the
| battles at Vailima the greatest reverse
they ever experienced. They were as.
| tonished by the manner in which
Gaunt's brigade sustained it's position
in the face of continuous firing. They
were also astonished at the final shell
ing of Vailima, by which many rebels
were badly wounded.