SEVEN KILLED IN SAMOAN RIOT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 858, 30 December 1929, Page 1

SEVEN KILLED IN SAMOAN RIOT

MAU AND POLICE CLASH

Tamasese Dies from Wounds CONSTABLE FATALLY BEATEN Twelve Injured in Hospital THE long-standing tension between the administrative authorities in Samoa and the Mau has culminated in a tragic clash. During a procession, being held to welcome Mr. A. G. Smyth, whose term of deportation has expired, and Mr. Hall Skelton, solicitor of Auckland, the police attempted to arrest some of the natives wanted for refusing to pay taxes. A fight followed in which a constable was beaten to death and six natives killed or fatally wounded—including the High Chief Tamasese. Revolvers and a Lewis gun were used to disperse the rioters, who have cut all inland communications. •

Special to THE SUN WELLINGTON, Today. has been reeclved from the Administrator of Western Samoa that a riot occurred in Apia on Saturday morning, in which Constable William Abraham and two Mau men were killed, says an official statement issued by Sir Joseph Ward, Minister of External Affairs. Two police and about 3'J of the Mau were injured, but the exact number of casualties is not yet definitely known. A large number of the Mau came into the town to welcome Messrs, i+myth and Hall Skelton, and paraded with a number of men wanted by the police, who tried to arrest some of the men wanted. The arresting parly was armed with batons only, and was attacked immediately by some 200 of the Mau with sticks and stones. A supporting party, of police, armed with revolvers, moved up to the rescue and sot the police - clear, with the exception of Constable Abraham, who was

struck with an axe and beaten to death. The supporting party of police used revolvers and withdrew to the polico station, which the Mau then attacked, but were driven off by a Lewis gun being fired over their heads into the sea. The Mau party then left the town, followed by an aimed patrol to the end of the beach road, since when they have wrecked the telephone lines of Apia. The Administrator advises that no special developments are expected, and also that the Mau were previously warned not to parade any wanted men through the town. The Prime Minister said tonight tha* the next-of-kin of the deceased constable were in Belfast, Ireland, and that he had informed them by cablegram. "I have called the Cabinet together in order to give the matter immediate attention,” added Sir Joseph, “and I have also asked the Administrator to keep, me informed of any exchanges, and also whether he requires any assistance.”

TAMASESE SUCCUMBS TWELVE IN HOSPITAL Special to P.A. bp Radio APIA, Sunday. Six Mau natives have died of wounds, including High Chief Tamasese, who died this morning. Twelve are in hospital, including High Chief Tuimalealiifano, who has a slight arm wound. EARLY MORNING AFFRAY According to a Press radio received in Auckland by the “New Zealand Samoa Guardian” this morning from its Apia correspondent, the fracas at Apia began at 6.30 a.m. on Saturday morning (Sunday morning, New Zealand time), when the police attempted to arrest a number of native tax resisters from the Mali procession which had lined up to welcome Messrs. Smyth and Hall Sktelton, who

had transhipped at Pago Pago from Suva. The disturbance resulted, according to this message, in one European policeman and four Mau Samoans being killed. Several Mau Samoans were badly wounded by revolver shots from the police. High Chiefs Tamasese and Tiumalealiifano were admitted to the hospital.