SAMOAN TRIBAL FEUD

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2388, 18 February 1915, Page 7

SAMOAN TRIBAL FEUD

8 ■ 1" STOPPED BY THE GAERISON. How aji inter-tribal fight was prevented by the Samoan garrison is described by a member of the Auckland contingent in 8 letter to his parents. "The other day a disturbance between two tribes took place here," he writes; "and as others became infected, it seemed at one time as if there was going to be a very serious native war, and a recurrence of the trouble of 1890. At about a quarter to nine on Tuesday morning, our two motor-cyclists were ordered to report with all speed at the Courthouse, and about five* minutes later the call was ordered to parade fully armed and in full marching order, and to proceed to the Courthouse. We soou learnt what was wrong. It appears that a boy of a village down the coast (we will call it 'A') had a quarrel with a boy of another village (which we will call 'B') near Apia. The boy of the former village managed to giv© the boy of the latter village a thrashing. Matters would have been auite right if-they had stopped there. This incident happened on a Saturday. Early on Tuesday morning four rather reckless youths of village Happened to be in Apia, and there met a- chief of 'A' village, ana in a spirit of revenge one *}f them struck this obief across the back. At once the fat was in' the fire. Matters would have been all right if they bad struck anyone of their own rank, but to strike a ohief was quits a different matter. . "All this happened on Tuesday morning,' and immediately the men of each village began to don their war-paint, sharpen their knives, etc. Now, 'A village was on© whifch had been on Malietoa's side during the 1899 war, while tho men of 'B' village had fought for Taroasess. So, naturally, a few of the other villages became infected on tlieir respective sides, and; began to get ready. We were unluckily out of it all, and had to stand outside the Courthouse the whole time._ The two dif-' ferent bodies of natives started to march against each other, the 'B' party 500 strong, and 'A' a little over 400, There were practically no firearms among them, as when we came here they were all called in, and those few that are out are all registered. Their aims consisted of long cane knives, very finely sharpened, and clubs. They do not leave any wounded in a fight. ; Everyone 'is killed, and the head of each ; man is always chopped off. The sth ( (Wellington) were ordered to hold up , tho men of 'B' village, disarm them, and let them go, while the 3rd (A lick- ( land) had to stop the 'A' men and treat them similarly, 'llie plan worked as intended, and as the natives were sent away, Colonel Logan spoke to them • briefly, 'B' tribe were stopped first, then 'A' about an hour aftonvards, so he had j plenty of time to be at each place. , Everything is .quiet now, and the na- ( tives seem right again. To-day the j responsible natives are being tried. ( Nothing is out yet, but the case is creating tremendous interest, especially j among the natives. The 3rd. (Auckland) wci'o about eight miles out, routemarching, when they got the news, and had got into position in an hour and a half. Not bad going, is it?"