Arriyal of the 'Frisco Mail

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 78, 5 January 1889, Page 2

Arriyal of the 'Frisco Mail

f PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. | Auckland, This Day. Arrived — R.M.S. Mariposa, from San Francisco. WAR IN SAMOA. BLOODY ENGAGEMENTS. 50 GERMANS KILLED & WOUNDED THE TOWNS BOMBARDED. News by the mail steamer shows that great excitement prevails in Samoa consequent upon the engagement between the Germans and Mataafa's army. The captain of the German warship Olga having intimated he would take peaceful steps to put an end to the Native war, the English and American warships did not interfere with his movements. On Tuesday, 18th December, the Olga having previously carried 200 Tamasese soldiers into position near Mataafa, landed 120 German soldiers, who were joined by the plantation laborers from New Britain. Mataafa's forces, now between the Germans and Tamasese's army, retired before the Germans, who then fired, killing a Samoan chief and his son. The Samoans | returned the fire, and 20 Germans were killed, and 30 wounded. The New Britain boys bolted, and the Germans had no alternative but to retreat to their boats. The Olga afterwards shelled Mataafa's position, but only three men were killed and two wounded. One ot the .Germans killed was a lieutenant, and another officer was wounded. The Samoan loss was not fully known. The Germans assert they were first fired upon, and are determined to crush Mataafa. The British and American warships are getting in fighting trim, and a gun from the Nipsic has been placed in front of the United States' Consulate, with a party of bluejackets on guard. On the 21st the German Consul issued a proclamation, calling on Mataafa's people to bring their arms on board one of the Gex*man warships, and if this was not obeyed the proclamation said the warship would shell the town where Mataafa is supposed to be. At a conferancj between the three Consuls held on the previous day the German Consul proposed this, but others disagreed. Mataafa received a summons from the German Consul to surrender on board the German warship and his life was promised to be spared, but his liberty was not guaranteed. He refused. The Olga thereupon bombarded the town, after which a party of sailors landed and burnt the town, there being no resistance. The British Consul issued a circuler to British residents advising them to send their wives and children on board H.M.S. Royalist, or to the British Consulate. Many availed themselves of it by going. The Royalist's men remained behind to look after property. Apia is in a terrible state of excitement. All the business places are closed and some of the Germans are taking refuge in the German warships.