SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 219, 10 September 1887, Page 5

SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

Suva, Fiji, September 2. A schooner arrived this morning from Samoa, with startling news. On the German Emperor's birthday it appears that there was a general " drunk," and a free fight took place, in which some Geimans were assaulted by Samoans. The German squadron came in and the German mail steamer Lubeck left on 23rd August. Immediately after she left, the German Consul demanded 13,000 dollars from King Malietoa— 1,000 dollars being for the assault and the rest for Samoan robberies from the German plantations. King Malietoa ieplied that he could not pay on so short notice, but lie would call his chiefs together. Next day 500 men were landed from the German warships with Gat.lings, and made a declaration of war against Malietoa, as follows : —

" Citizens of Apia,— P»y order of ill's Majesty the Emperor of Germany, war has been declared against the chief Malietoa. The neutrality of the municipal district will be lespectod as long as the security of the German troops is not endangered by any agitation within the municipal d i«t riot. I call upon the inhabitants to assist me in the maintenance of peace and good order in Apia.

(Signed) Hensult, Commodore and Commander of the German Squadron." The Germans have proclaimed Tamasese king, hoisted his flag, and fired a royal salute, and when the vessel left the opposing forces were preparing to fight. Malietoa musters !,COO men. Hostilities are expected to commence afc once. The British Consul is absent through ill-health. The American consul has called on all American and British subjects to place themselves and their property under his care, advising them to take care not to provoke the German troops, as he has not a force ab hand to protect them. The schooner brings urgent demands for a British man-of-war ; but there is none in Fiji, the Swinger having left yesterday. On the 2nd hist., a schooner arrived from Samoa at Suva with intelligence that the Government of Germany, on the 25th August, had pioclaimed Tamasese King of Samoa, and that four German men of-war were lying at Apia and had landed 1,300 troops and marines. Mr Sewall, the American Consul, and Mr Wilson, the Acting British Consul,has issued a proclamation that their Government do net and never have recognised Tamasese as King of Samoa, but continue as heretofore to recognise Malietoa. They advise the Samoans to submit quietly to what they cannot help and not to fight, but to await peaceably the result of deliberations.