War in Samoa. GREAT NATIVE BATTLE TAMASESE'S SOLDIERS DEFEATED. MATAAFA PROCLAIMED KING. CAPTAIN BISSETT SHOT.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 305, 6 October 1888, Page 4

War in Samoa. GREAT NATIVE BATTLE TAMASESE'S SOLDIERS DEFEATED. MATAAFA PROCLAIMED KING. CAPTAIN BISSETT SHOT.

J About the end of August last the adherents of the deposed King Malietoa and other natives who for some time have shown disaffection to the new King, Taniasese, most of whom never acknowledged him as King, and who were quietly making preparations for a i-ovolt, came into contact with ths Government party near Apia. The struggle then was a short one, lasting about one hour, resulting in about four or five killed and wounded on both sides. Since then the opposition party have been gaining strength both in numbers and armament. They are well supplied with really^ efficient " rifles and ammunition. Their* arrangements for war preparation seemed to be of a superior description. They erected forts of a formidable nature, which some of the men of war officers in harbor declared to be impregnable to attack from their present opponents. They also erected several small fortifications, but the fort of Faleula was evidently intended to be their stronghold. Numbers were daily pouring in to increase their ranks. Food was constantly sent for and received, their women being particularly active in procuring supplies. The strength of their fighting men may be fairly estimated at not under 4000 or 5000. They then notified their desireto fight Governmentsoldiers, and made no secret of the time they intended for the attack. Captain Leary of the' U.S.A. warship Adams visited their stronghold, some four or five miles from the town, and seemed surprised at such a number of well conducted men. Their war arrangements in so short a time and under difficult circumstances being really good. He held a talk with their chief, who seemed determined to fight, and in fact told Captain Leary that they would die before they would give in to Tamasese. Captain Leary told them he had no intention to interfere in native quarrels. He had nothing whatever to do with their disagreements, nor could he advise them on such a subject, but he told them distinctly that the former recognised rule with reference to the white population must be strictly adhered to, that is, that in no case whatever must the lives or property of the foreignresidents be meddled with, for should such unfortunately occur he would | be compelled to make reprisals. The natives through their chiefs assured Captain Leary that if any of their people attempted the lives or property of the foreign residents they would be beheaded. A strict attentiou to this was already a rule amongst them. The natives seemed highly pleased with Captain Leary, and wished to givo him military honours, which Captain Leary, however, declined. Shortly afterward Mataafa was chosen as their king at their fort of Faleula, and on Wednesday, Septembar 12th a section of their party numbering about 500 men attacked the Government soldiers at Matautu, close to the town of Apia. The action commenced by an attack on one of Tamasese's forts, the rifle roar being distinctly heard through the city, some of the bullets striking the vessels in the harbour, and it was reported thab one of the crew of H.I. M.S. Adler was wounded in the mouth by an erratic bullet. Such a . roll of muskefry was never before heard in Samoa. It was i-eally terrific. From the commencement of the attack, 10 minutes to one o'clock, the firing was continuous until about two o'clock, when there was a comparative loll, but at intervals, while storming other forts the roar was as furious as ever. The Government soldiers in the vicinity were then driven into the sea, some of them being shot down in the water, many taking refuge on the reefs. Here Tamasese's party ■ were reinforced from Mulinnu Point in boats. Then commenced sharp firing between the Government boats at sea, and opposition party on shore which lasted about a quarter of an hour, but not much damage was done, the distance being too great between the contending parties. A little before three o'clock Tamasese's party rallied and made a very plucky stand for a short time, but they were considerably outnumbered and had to retire. While this encounter lasted the bullats were flying in aII directions across and along the main thoroughfare, and it was here that poor

Capt. Bisset was Shot, an account of which melancholy event we give further on. Some scouting and desultory firing continued until a libtle before 8 o'clock, when the Mataafa men attacked a strong fort a little further eastwards, the moon giving sufficient light for the attack. The besiegers secured the fort after a plucky defence of about an hour ; but the besieged were driven out, and hastily retreated to their respective village?, a few miles further inland. This actually concluded the fight. Mataafa'vS party did not follow. It was an utter rout of Tamasese's soldiers. The victors seemed satisfied, for the time at least, and i*emained on the scene of the late action until morning, when between 200 and 300 of their number marched into Apia in regular order. No act of violence was committed in the town, the foreign residents mixing freely with them. All Tamasese's soldiers who remained in the town withdrew bo Mulinu Point, the headquarters of Tamasese. This point is also occupied by a company of marines from H.I.M.S. Adler, and is viewed as neutral ground.

No Violence Against Foreigners. We have great pleasure in stating that during the conflict not a single act of violence was committed. The lives and property of foreign residents were held sacred by the combatants ; and with the exception of the shooting of Captain Bisseb, which was unquestionably accidental, no other mishap occured. Indeed, the city is particularly quiet since the fight. We can give no information as to the actual number dead or wounded. It will be some time before that is known ; but from what we can learn some 50 men and two or three women would be about the number.

Mataafa Proclaimed King. We are informed that the proclaimed King, Mataafa, has sent a dispatch to the German Consul or the Captain of H.I.M.S Adler, asking them to remove the mariners from Mulinhu Point, and also a request to haul down Tamasese's flag, which is still flying at the Point. We have not heard ' what answer, if.any, has been returned. • The two war-ships in the harbour (Ger-man'and-American) maintained perfect f neutrality during^ the conflict. A report is \al so, abroad that Mataafa • threatened I'thatr if Tamasese's ilag is not > hauled I'dowri he would attack the Point.- . i^The'wounded who J were brought in to /Apia* ; were attended by surgeons of

H.I.M.S. Adler, U.S.A. warship Adams, 5 ,and Mr Smith, a medical gentleman who is here on a visit. Their valuable services were willingly given, and many lives have 1 probably been saved by them. The Brothers of the Catholic Mission were_ industrious in rendering all the assistance in their , power to the poor sufferers.