THE NEW GUINEA MASSACRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 100, 2 May 1904, Page 2

THE NEW GUINEA MASSACRE.

THE CAPT AIN'S STATEMENT HE SAYS THE NATIVES WJSRfi-/ THE AGGRESSORS.

SYDNEY, April 80. The gentleman who was aboard the Merrie England during the conflict with tin; New Guinea natives stated that some natives wera shot while aboard the vessel, and others while attempting to regain tho boats, He added that when the news was received at Port Mares by tho Government officials they were very indignant, Captain Harvey, of the Merrie England, after reading this gentleman's statement, gave his version of tho aftair to the effect that ho anchored oU the Island on March Nobody went ashore. Next morning (Sunday) natives came oil in canoes all round the steamer, lie was in his cabin and heard a commotion. He saw a native policeman holding a native/ and ran and helped to arrest the man. WhlU the policeman was away getting liundcuils the native seized a belaying pin and attempted to strike and bito his (the captain's) hand. He was eventually secured with assistance. Meanwhile tiring was going on, but the captain could not say how many natives were shot, lie denied that any wera shot aboard. Just as the nativa was secured an arrow flew past and nearly hit Captain Harvey. llarv«y asserted that the natives commenced the attack, otherwise those on board would not have fired. Captain Harvey further stated that the authorities had information ol the arrest of certain natives mixed ui> in the Rev. Chalmers' murder. These natives came aboard the Mer-, rlo England among others. A signal was given and the police set about arredtj/hg them. The statement that they were shot and maltreated was absolutely untrue. The police secured nine, Including tiro implicated in the murder. The Government had certain reasons for securing so many. When the natives in ttie canoes saw what had been done they commenced firing and attacked tho Merrie England in great force, estimated at si* hundred. Orders were given to Are but ho did not know by whom. Judgo Uobinson wajß present while the lighting was proceeding. Captain Harvey added i "It was a case of looking to oursctves, for the *hip was surroundod, If {he natives had got the upper hand they would have murdered the whole of us. We were attacked, and at least had - to defend the ship, At any rate, w» secured our prisoners, and afterwards landed them safely, - TVo wero allowed to go. It was not true that the natives came on a mission of peace. They attacked us and wo fired in self-defence. It was not true that cortain of the steamer's officers told Governor Uobinson to do Ms own dirty work as they would have nothing to do with it."

THE STATEMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATOR. LONDON, April 80. Captain Barton, the newly appointed Administrator of New Guinea, explains that he visited tho locality with Sir Qeorgo R, La Huntc, then Administrator (and now Governor of South Australia) in 1902, when one man was arrested in connection with the murder of tho missionaries. The tribe was then given to understand clearly that a return visit would be made to discover the men guilty of the massacre. He added that It wa» necessary that tho natives, who are in a very rudimentary stage of savagery, fierce and warlike, and implacably hostile to whites, should understand tho whites were in earnest about punishing murderers.

AN INQUIRY TO BE HELD. (Received May 2, 1.14 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 1, . Tho Federal Minister for Extern* ul Affairs holds a persona) inquiry into the Merrie England affair and says that if certain statements made are substantiated action of a drastic character will be taken s