The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-03-31
There is a war in Samoa.

Inc pIONlSlOndl government Oh MD
taafa was declared at an end by proc
lamation, dated March 18th. On the
18th of March the proclamation was
put into effect. Mataafa was driven
from Apia and the villages which he
and his followers occupied We're she'll
ed by the Philadelphia and Her Ma
jesty's ships Porpoise and Royalist. On
March 23rd Malietoa Tanu was crown.
ed king at Mulinuu.
The Malietoa followers who were
sent by the provisional govern
ment into exile to the other islands,
have been brought back.
The MalietOa party supported by the
British and American forces are in
control of Apia. But the Mataafa for
ces surround the town.
Martial law is in force. Business is
at a standstll. All places of business
are closed. The Mariposa was not able
10 get any fresh provisions at Apid.
Passengers on the Mariposa were not
allowed to take kodaks ashore and
were warned of the condition of things.
American and British marines are
on duty patrolling the streets, preserv-
ing order and affording protection
from the Mataafa forces who surround
the town and are attempting forays ut
every opportunity.
Two British marines have been kill
ed and several wounded. Two Ameri-
wounded. 1t is not known how many
of Mataafa's men have been killed or
wounded, as they are out in the bush
and remove their dead and wounded.
The Germans have taken no part in
the matter, claiming to stand strictly
neutral, though passengers on the Ma
riposa say it is currently reported and
believed in Apia that they are secretly
supporting Mataafa with arms and am
munition.
The Philadelphia arrived at Pago-
Pago March 5th and at Apia March
9Th The usual courtesies were ex-
changed between her and the British
and German men of war. March 10th
a council was held on board the Phi
ladelphia at which were present the
consuls and senior naval officers of the
three treaty powers. At this council
the British and American representa-
tives agreed that under the treaty of
Berlin the chief justice was the nigh
est official under the treaty and tnat
his decisions must be enforced. This
decision was embodied in a proclama-
ton dated March 18th, declaring that
the provisional government which had
been recognized solely for the purpose
of preserving peace and order was at
an end, and that Malietoa was the
king.
The German consul refused to ioin
he issued one stating his position.
In accordance with the proclamation
II. M. S. Royalist left Apia Sunday
morning, March 18th, for Apolima, re-
turning the same day with Malietoa
partisans who had been sent there by
the provisional government On Mon
day, March 18th, the Royalist left for
Tutuila for the same purpose, return
ing Wednesday, March 18th.
Monday, March 18th. the American
and British blue jackets and marines
landed at Matautu for the same pur-
post and transferred the prisoners to
Mulinuu. They We're assisted in this
py the natives under command of Ia
masese.
On Tuesday reconoitering parties
sent out found that the Mataafa forces
were massing just behind the town,
harrassng settlers and threatening to
destroy plantations. 1t was then de-
cided to take serious measures, and to
shell the entire region in which the
Mataafa forces were massed
AT 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon.
March l4th, the Philadelphia threw the
first she'll The Royalst and Porpoise
Immediately followed. The Porpoise
took up a position off Mulinuu point
and firing was kept up in general till
dark. During the night there were
constant alarms going on, but the ma
the warships Philadelphia, Porpoise
and Royalist again shelled the suburbs,
the Porpoise cruising along the coast,
where she kept continually throwing
shells inland. During the day one of
the American sailors who was guard
ing the consulate was caught by a
shell which struck the kitchen of the
consulate and was badly wounded.
During the night an attempt was made
to rush the road near the TiVoli hotel
by the natives, but the attempt was
frustrated by the British sailors who
We're in charge, but unfortunately with
the loss of two men belonging to the
Royalist, and two wounded During
the whole of the night constant shoot
ing was going on all around the town.
Friday, March 18th, was comparative
ly quiet, and so was Friday night.
On Sunday there was a brush be-
tween Malietoa and Mataafa followers
near Vaiusu, in which six Mataafa
men were killed and one Malietoa man
was wounded. During the rest of the
week up to the time the Mariposa left
there was continual shellng of villages
along the coast and a few encounters
on land.
Malietoa was crowned king on Thurs
day afternoon, March 2Srd. He was
landed from the Porpofse at Apia
wharf under escort of British and
body of natives, headed by the band
from the Philadelphia. Malietoa Tanu
went to Mulinuu, where they formed
a square in front of the flagstaff which
had been erected. The king then retr-
ed to a native house where the cere-
mony of kava making was being per-
formed. Admiral Kautz Chief Justice
Chambers Commander White, IT., S.
Consul General Osborne, Consul Maxse,
II. b. NJ, and Captains Sturdee and
Torlesse We're amongst those present.
When the order was given to raise the
flag the band struck up the Samoan
anthem, then Hail Columbia and God
Save the Queen. Shortly afterward
Commander White, u. S. N, came out
and announced that Malietoa Tanu was
king, and called for three cheers for
him, after which he called for three
cheers for the admiral, which was re-
sponded to. Captain Sturdee then
called for three cheers for Commander