THE SAMOAN WAR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2029, 5 January 1889, Page 3

THE SAMOAN WAR

• . . ♦ FURTHER DETAILS. SAMOAN INTERFERENCE. (zn nuoa absociatiow.) Atjotxahd, January 5. •*. New? by the mail steamer shotts that gnat excitement prevails m Samoa conic onent npon the engagement between the Germans and Mataafcfi army. The, captain of the German warship Ol«» having Intimated that he would take peacefal akepi to put an end to the Native war, the British and American warships did not Interfere with his movements. Oo Tuesday, 18 h December, the Olga having previously carried 200 or Temaseee'fl soldiers into position near Mataafa, landed 120 German sailors who were Joined by plantation laborers from New JirUaln. Mataafa's force was now between the Germans on one side and Tamaseae's army on the other, and retired before the Germans who. then fired, killing a Bemoan Chief and his son . The Samoans returned the fire and 20 Germans were killed and SO wounded. The New Britain boys bolted and the Germane, with their numbers sadly reduced, had no < alternative but to retreat to thetr boats. The- Olga afterwards shelled Mataafa's position, but only three were killed And two wounded. One of the Germans killed was a Lieutenant and another officer* The Samoan loss ii Dot fully known. The Germans anert they were first fired upon and they are determined to cruih Mataafa. The British and American warships are getting m fighting trim. A gon from Lelpslo has bees placed In front of the consulate with a party of blue jackets on guard. On the 21st the German Consul Issued a proclamation calling on Mataafa's people to bring their arms aboard one of the German warships. If this were not obeyed the proclamation said a warship would shell the town where Mataafa is A Oonferenoe between the three Consuls was held on the previous day. The German Consul proposed this but the others disagreed. Mataafa has received » summons from the German Consul to surrender on board the German varsblp. His life is promised to be ■pared but hie liberty Is not guaranteed. He therefore, refused: The Olga thereupon bombarded the town throwing aboul thirty shells, after which a party of sallori landed and burned the town. There wai ao resistance. The British Consul hai issued a circular to British resident; advising them to send tbelr wives anc children on board H.M.S. Royalist oi to the British consulate. Many av'aUed themselves by going on the Royalist, the men remaining behind to look after theli property. Apia Is m a terrible state o noltement nearly all the business plaoei being dosed, Including MeArthut an< Go's., the Germans employed by the bl| ' firm taking refuge on the German warShips.