, 1899-03-30
TROUBLE IN SAMOA
AMERICAN AND BRITISH SHIPS
lombard TOWNS NEAR
APIA.
Claimant to Samoan Crown makes a
Threatening Movement-Ultimat-
UNI Unheeded-German Consul
Sides With Mataafa and Trouble
Begins.

Apia, Samoan Islands, March %, via
Auckland, N. a., March 29.-T'he trou-
bles growing out of the election of a
king of Samoa have taken a more seri-
GUS turn and resulted in the lombard
ment of the native villages along the
shore by the United States cruiser Phil
adelphia, Admiral Kautz commanding,
and the British cruisers Porpoise and
Royalist. The ~bombardment has con-
tinued internationally for eight days.
Several villages have been burned, and
there have been a number of casualties
among the American and British sal
ors and marines. AS yet it is impossi-
BILE to estimate the number of natives
killed or injured.
As Mataafa and his chiefs. CONSTITUTE
ing the provisional government, on
tinued to defy the treaty after the ar
rival of the Philadelphia, Admiral
Kautz summoned the various consuls
and the senior naval officers to a con-
ference on board the Philadelphia,
when the whole situation was carefully
canvassed. The upshot was a resolu-
ton to dismiss the provisional govern
ment and Admiral Kautz issued a proc
lamation calling upon Mataafa and his
chiefs to return to their homes.
Mataafa evacated 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, unfolding the provision
al government. AS a result of this the
Mataafans assembled in large force and
hemmed in the town. The British cruz
er Royalist brought the Malietoa priso-
ners from the islands to which they
had been transferred by the provision
al government.
The Americans then fortified Null
inuu, where 1000 Malieaoans took ref
uge. The rebels-the adherents of Ma
taafa-barricaded the roads within the
municipality and seized the British
houses. An ultimatum was then sent to
them, ordering them to evacuate, and
threatening them, in the event of refus-
al, with a bombardment to commence
at l o'clock on the afternoon of March
Is. This was ignored and the rebels
commenced an attack in the direction
of the United States and British con-
sulates about half an hour before the
time fixed for the bombardment. The
Philadelphia, Porpoise and Royalist
opened fire upon the distant villages.
There was great difficulty in locating
but several shore villages were 500
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 Rudge, shattering 1t so
badly as to necessitate amputation.
Another fragment t%raversed to the
German consulate, smashing the crock
cry. 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 W
party, another was shot in the foot
and an American sentry was killed at
his post.
The bombardment continuing, the in
habitants Of the own took refuge on
board the Royalisr, greatly crowding
the vessel.
Many people are leaving Samoa, the
captain of the Royalist urging them to
60. so as not to interfere with the mill
tary 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
bitter feeling against the Germans.
Two men, a British and German sub
ject, have been arrested as spies.
The bombardment Of the jungle was
for a time very hot.
The British cruiser Taurange. which,
It is understood, was intending to an
mex the Tonga islands "a section OF the
Friendly islands in the Pacific), was
Intercepted 1T Suva, capital Of the Fiji
Islands, by order Of the home govern
mont