The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-05
SAM0ANS WERE SLAUGHTERED
MANY REBELS WE'RE KILLED BY
THE BoMDARDMENT.

Uaunts brigade Drove Them Back.
German Consul DiSsented From a
Proposition to Peacefully Await
the COmmissiOners-Mat Had
to Come to Timc-British and
American Inhabitants Fear to Re-
main There.
Auckland, N. T., May 4.-Advices re-
ceived here from Apia, Samoa, to April q,
state that the rebel loss by the shelling of
the Mataafan stronghold at Vailma by
the warships of Great Britain and the
United States was quite heavy. Many of
the rebels were wounded. The house in
which the late Robert Louis Stevenson re-
sided was riddled with shot.
On April % there was a sharp skirmsh
| between rebels and Lieut. r. A. Gaunt's
brigade near the town of Vailima. In
this engagement one Mataafan was killed.
The lines of the friendlies were attacked IN
the darkness at two points, but none Of
them was killed.
On April % there was some bush fight
ing. Lieut.. Gaunts brigade, numbering
nine hundred men. advanced under a hot
fire. The enemy lost several men, the
bodies of the dead being dragged away. OF
the friendlies one was killed and three
were wounded. The British Lieuts. Ipnes
Hickman, Shuler and Heathcote under
Lieut.. Gaunt, led the royalists.
German Consul Dissented.
The New Zealand government steamer
Tutanekai had arrived at Apia with dis
patches announcing the request OF the in
ternational commissioners that the inhabi-
tants peacefully await their arrival from
San Francisco. A meeting of the three
consults, in view of this message, was
held, but without results, the German con-
sui dissenting from the propositions of the
other two consuls
Admiral Albert Kautz, United States
navy. and Capt. Stuart of the British
cruiser Tarangua, wrote and dispatched
through a French priest to Mataafa. or
dering him to withdraw his forces outside
of a line ten miles long and six miles
broad. Mataafa replied defantly refusing
to withdraw unless the German consul
and the captain of the German cruiser
Fake agreed.
upon sent an ultimatum to Mataafa
| threatening to compel the withdrawal Of
his forces. In support of this ultimatum
| plan of action was decided upon. Lieut..
Gaunts brigade was strengthened and
heavy gun was landed at Mulinu and war
rockets were gotten in readiness. Being
informed of these preparations, Mataafa
made prompt reply agreeing to withdraw
immediately
New King Gave His Approval
On April % an important meeting of the
King and his chiefs was held. They were
informed of the action that had been taxi
en- by the British and American naval
commanders and gave it general approval
Lieut. Gaunts brigade is now patrolling
the prescribed area.
King Tanu visited Admiral Kautz and
Capt Stuart on board the American and
English ships respectively and was re-
ceived with the customary saiutes on his
arrival and departure.
Hufnagel, the manager of the planta
ton upon which an attack was made on
British and American sailors resulting in
the death of Lieut.. Freeman of the Rrit
lsh navy, Lieut.. Lansdale and Ensign
John r. Monaghan of the United States
cruiser Philadelphia, and two others is
SILL detained on board the German cruiser
l.
adelphia which was lost at the time Of
the engagement has been recovered. bur
the gun is still in the hands of the rebels
Officials and leading residents of Samoa
who have been interviewed. all unite in
saying that the charges of inhumanitv
on the part of the British. which were
made by man named Laroch. are IN
true.
Feeling of Inhabitants.
A
ly dissatisfied with the cessation of hos
tlities. They say that Mataafa is beat
en- now and that the trouble would all
be ended in week or ten DAYS were
the advantage pushed. The rebels are de-
lighted at the delay which will give then,
time 10 refill cartridge shells and build
more forts. 1t is the general opinion
that the islands will be uninhabitable
except for Germans and Frenchmen nm
less Mataafa and the rebel chiefs are
severely punished.
1t is doubtful if British or America,
subjects will give much evidence before
the International commission. owing Ia
fear that TO express themselves candIdIv
would interfere with trade relations Fo.
this reason the evidence before the com
mission is likely TO be one-sided.
Statement Is Denied.
The statement by the German minister
for foreign affairs, Baron Won Buelow. that
Mataafa was unanimously elected King of
the Samoan Islands, is denied in Samoa.
The rebels admit that the result Of the
battle at Vailima was the greatest reverse
they had ever experienced. They were sta
toned by the manner in which Gaunt's
brigade sustained its position in the face
Of a continuous fire. They were also aston |
lshed at the final shelhng of VaiIima AZ
which many Of the rebels were badly
wounded