Native War in Samoa.

Samoa Times and South Sea Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 7, 10 November 1888, Page 2

Native War in Samoa.

On Thursday fighting again commenced about two uiiles from the piincipal fort of Tamusese. Mataafa's people worn preparing to attack- one of the several forts on tho road to Atua when Tamaso: o's men adopted a ruao by removing tlioir red head ge.ir and replacing tlse white covering of Mataafa's soldiers. Tho head hands which is bound over tho head in the fashion of a turban is the only distinguishing mark between the two armies. Ity this ruse tboy were not distinguished until they actually fired into Mataafa's soldiers, killed fi.ur or live and wounded several men. They th«n retreated l*>hind their forts. Tho Tuamusaga contingent of tho Mutaafa people; numbering about 500, immediately aftor the surprise rushed the forts. Their enemy, who w> ro entrenched behind eand hanks, could fire upon them in comparative safety, but were too closely pressed and retired still further towards their stronghold. The Tuatnusagu men 101 l >wed up and drovoT'imasese's soldiers back from all their outposts, where they are now in a body, completely hemmed in in all directions except by sea. During nl! tins fighting neither tho pooplo of Savuii or Monono, who are considerably the greatest number of Mataafa's people, were engaged. The Tuamasagu, after driving Tamascao's people back to Atua forts, sent for a body of tho Pavaii men to occupy the forts jkoy had tuk.m from Tamasese. Th-> TiiHinasaga then went inland round tho hills, tho ouly toad loading round to th" oast, to inva*t the stronghold in that direction. They appeared to have u goo I idea of tho lifficultioathoy would have to contend with in attacking this place. In fact it is well known the position is one of tho most favorable for defence, a mountain slope rising at the baak, w! oro an enemy could be ©i.-ilv distinguished und picked off. Ou tho west side an inlet of the sea runs up to the foot of tho mountain. To seaward tho fortress is almost a perpendicular bluff of 50 to 100 feet nigh, the sides to the inlet being almost as stoep. On tho oast whero the Tutimasaga are now posted is a cocoanut valley, and the fortress hero is almost us diflicult of access. Added to this nil the best war material that could be provided, guttling guns, the most improved rifles, and ammunMon to guild a long siege, and all this war material arranged by white men of military training for weeks. Provisions of all kinds havo been sent up f rum tho German store here in chartered boats. Money seams plentiful for supplies but it must he borm. in mind that the Gorman firm are tho ticamreis of Tamaswe's Govornraont. lei haps they havo sufficient funds in hsnd to pay for all this. On the other side Mataa'a's people ure nearly out

of ammunition, and with the exception! of about fifty or sixty tins of biscuits sent up to them by their .relations hero yesterday, just about enough to give one fourth of them oue meat. They are living on banana*. Notwithstanding all those disadvantages we believe thatMntaafa wilt tuko the garrison. Hut whether they do or not Gorman firm interests will net be advanced one step. They uever will again control Snmoaft affairs. The war reports that were spread in Apia on Thursday wore of the usual character. The partisans of the Tamaseso Government were out early in the morning making themselves very conspicuous in industriously spreading ridiculous reports, one of them telling our reporter that he knew " from the best authority " that 04 of Mataafa's men were killed and wounded yesterday. Ho was particular as to the number. Another stated that 110 wounded men from Ma'aafa's side were in or on the way to the British Consulate. Of course as usual aIL these statements w»re pure inventions of those gentlemen to please their friends or make themselves look important. The air of Samoa seems impregnated with electric falsehoods, so those peculiar people must be excused. They inhale it "with a stick in it." Speaking from our knowledge of rhe loss on Mntuufa's side, and from information gained—under the above circumstances—wo think that up to | Thursday evening we may fairly estimate the loss on Mataafa's side at I about ten killed or died since t..ey | wore brought into the hospital, and about sixteen wounded. The fighting is still going on, but no close combat bus taken place and very little loss has been sustained. On Friday morning news was received here that Taiuaseso's fortified double canoe hud to have her moorings) having been driven* out about five o'clock last evening. A great meeting of Mataafa's people- took place last night, when fresh war movements were arranged.