WAR IN SAMOA. THE OUTRAGES ON BRITISH SUBJECTS. Auckland, February 14.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 343, 16 February 1889, Page 5

WAR IN SAMOA. THE OUTRAGES ON BRITISH SUBJECTS. Auckland, February 14.

The Island steamerßicbmond returnecUbout midnight laab night from Samoa, Tahiti, Rarotonga and Tongatabu,adayor so before she was expected. SheleftSamoaon the 22nd inst., some days before the b.b. Wainui, which has brought full particulars of the proclamation of martial law and blockade of the port of Apia by the Germans. Affaire are still very unsettled at the group, and the effect of the present disturbance is to completely paralyse all trade in Samoa. Mr J. M. Gelling, Town Clerk of Hamilton, I who was seized by the Germans at Apia, [ returned to Auckland by the Richi mood and loft for Hamilton by the VVaikato train this morning. Immediately upon arrival at Apia the Richmond was boarded by a party from one of the German men-o'-war in the port, ami the cargo searched. The officer in charge of the party demanded that any arms or contraband of war should be handed to him. Captain Hutton protested against this, and eaid he would await instructions from the British Consul. At daylight Mr Eden borough took a boat and went to the British Consul, having with him the letter which purported to be a copy of the communication sent to Colonel Coetlogan by the German Consul. The British Consul denied haying received any inforinotion or notice whatever from the German Consul, but said he saw no way of helping them, as the Germane had declared war, and had the right to search. Mr Edenborough returned to the Eichmond and found that a cargo boat going to the shore, containing goods belonging to the American, was already in possession of the German armed boat. All other consignees refused to take iluir cargo till the difficulty was settled one way ur another. The Ameiicati whose goods was teized went to Captain Mullias, of the U.S. warship .Nip&iu, ai)d complained, also demanding protection. The captain of the Nip^ic went to Captain Fritz, ot the (Jennan warship Auier, and alter a gieut deal ot paileying it was arianged that all American goods should beseaiched on board of the Richmond, which was done, an armed boat's crew from the German warship Olga boarding the Richmond, going below, and thoroughly searching the cargo. They bored casks ot beef, cement, opened tins of jam, bags ot flour, and rummaged the cargo generally. Subsequently Mr Eden borough visited the German Consul and asked why he had taken such proceedings against the steamer. Dr. Knappe said he had reason to believe that there was ammunition tecreted on board, and that at tho las>t \ is-it of the Richmond 27 casks ol beef had each contained 1,000 rounds of ammunition, done up in tins and packed among the beel. He said that no greater obstiuction would bo given than necessary, and that any damage to cargo or delay occasioned would be compensated. Some of the men ot the Richmond, who were going to bathe and wash their clothes, were ordered back by the Germans, and not allowed to lea^e their ship. Captain Hutton, while going to the British Consul to protest against such treatment, was intercepted and pursued by the German guard-boat as far as H.M.s Royalist, where he claimed protection. A boat was at once sent from the Royalist with an officer to the Richmond, and he remained on board till tho vessel left. Captain Hand, of the Royalist, informed Captain Hutton that his grievance was a matter for the British Consul to >ettle During the whole time the Richmond was in port tho German guard-boat watched her, keeping abjut thirty yards from the ship. It seems that Mr J. M. Gelling, after his arrest by the Germans ior a bleach of martial law, consisting in visiting Mataafa at his camp, was not released at the request of the British Consul or Captain Hand of the Royalist. After the court martial had been held on board the Adler, Captain Fritz read to him its finding, which was to the effect that though found guilty of ft breach of martial law the court was of opinion that he had no sinister motive in visiting the " rebel " camp. He was than released and sent in a boat to tho Richmond. H.M.s. Calliope having relieved the Royalist at Apia, the latter left for Tonga, where she was lying when the Richmond called there on her return trip. She was to leave there for Auckland and may be expected here in a few day». Up to date the Germans in Samoa havo buried 18 seamen and two officers. A number of Tamasese's wounded have died since the latest fighting. Mataafa's men have for the most part recovered.