The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-04-19
Massacre in Samoa,

APIA, SAMOA, via Auckland, N. H.,
April ia mixed British aud Amer
lean force of marines was ambuscaded
today by followers of Mataafa on a
German plantation, and forced to re-
treat to the beach. Lieutenant Lans-
dale and Ensign Monaghan of the
Cruiser Philadelphia, and Lieutenant
Freeman of the British cruiser Tau
ranga, who were in command of the
marines, were killed. Their bodies
were afterward found headless and
otherwise mutilated. Two American
and two British sailors were also killed
The manager of the plantation has
been arrested.
APIA. April l, via Auckland, N. T.,
April 12.-The British and American
marine force numbered los and were
ambushed by 500 Mataatans. The
fighting was terrific, the Americans and
British making gallant stand, inhct-
ing heavy losses on their assailants.
They were finally compelled to retire
in the face of overwhelming odds but
did so in good order. Ensign Mona
CHAN persisted in gallant fight in at
tempting to rescue Lieutenant Lans-
dale who had fallen, dangerously
wounded. Fully two score natives sur
rounded the brave ensign and his
wounded superior, brutaly dispstching
both in few moments. The French
priests some time later brought the
headless bodies of the two officers to
Apia. The natives kept the heads as
trophies of the war.
LONDON, April 12.-The news from
Samoa created sensation here to. day.
The bitter feeling against the Germans
who are held responsible by the people
generally for the trouble in Samoa, is
on the increase. Lieutenant Freeman,
killed by Mataafans near Apia, though
only thirty. five years old, is veteran
of the Alexandrian and Egyptian war.
He has been decorated with four med
ais for bravery in action, one for life
saving.
WASHINGTON, April 13.-The Samo-
an ENHANCEMENT is the uppermost topic
of interest in official circles. The first
feeling of resentment has subsidized
somewhat and belief is growing that
settlement through diplomatic chan
nels will be peacefully made. Baron
Won Sternberg of the German embassy,
who called at the state department yes
terday afternoon, actually expressed re-
greet at the loss of life. He made it
plain that his government will insist
that Malietoa Tanus be dethroned and
the provisional government restored its
power, 80 that when the commission
arrives at Apia that government will be
in power, not Tanus.
BERLIN, April IAN interpela-
ton on the Samoan affair was made
in The Reichstag today, to which Won
Bulow, foreign minister said, 81 will
say nothing to make difficult peaceful
arrangement of the German with the
British and American governments,
who have now agreed to adjust Samoan
affairs. This government pledges it.
self to maintain the state of Samoa, as
credited in the Berlin treaty, and Ger
man rights under that treaty. We are
ready for an equitable division of the
islands among the three powers, but so
long as this treaty exists we hold 10y
ally to it.
We consider illegal all the occurren.
ces in the islands not the result of a
unanimous agreement of the represen.
tatives of the three powers. After Ma
taafa obtained control of the govern
ment, Samoa was recognized by the
three powers, and could be dethrcned
only by their unanimous decision. We
do not believe Admiral Kautz offended
the commander of the Fake. Con
corning the arrest of Herr Huffuagel,
we told London we would protect him
because We esteem him innocent. We
hope the commission will make an
agreement that will satisfy all.
1t would be in the highest de-
gree villainous to make Samoa a
causus belli, but we possess certain
treaty rights the nations honor is
staked to maintain. Under no circum-
stances and for no cause will we pref
udice these rights" Bulow was greet
ed with great applause. All leaders,
including Prince Herbert Bsmark are
satisfied. The American ambassador,
White, and Sir Frank Lasceles, the
British ambassador, were in the diplo.
matte gallery.