STARTLING NEWS FROM SAMOA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1632, 10 September 1887, Page 3

STARTLING NEWS FROM SAMOA.

Auckland, September 7. Intelligence has be'>n received here that on the morning of September 2nd a schooner arrived at Suva from Samoa, bringing startling intelligence. It appears that on the German Emperor’s birthday there was a general “ drunk,” and a free fight took p'ace, in which some Germans wera assaulted by Samoans. The German squadron came in and the German steamer Lubeck left on 23rd August. Immediate'y after she left the German Consu 1 demanded 13,000 dollars from King Malietoa, 1000 dollars being for the assault and the reR for Samoan robberies from German plantations. King Malietoa replied that he could not pay on so short a notice, but would ca 1 ! his chiefs together. Next day 500 men were landed from the German warships with Gatling guns, and made declaration of war against Malietoa as follows

“ Citizens of Apia, by order of his Majesty Emperor of Germany, war has been declared against tbe Chief Malietoa. The neutrality of the municipal district will be respected as long as the security of the German troops is not endangered by any agitation with the municipal districts. I call upon the inhabitants to assistinthe maintenance of peace and good order in Apia.— (Signed) Hensult, Commodore and Commander of German Squadron.” The Germans have proclaimed Tamasese King, hoisted his flag, and fired a royal salute. When the vessel left the opposing forces W'-re preparing to fight. Malietoa musters 1000 men. Hostilities are expected to commence at once.

The British Consul was absent through ill-health. The American Consul has called upon all American and British subjects to place themselves under his care, advising them to take care not to provoke the German troops, as he has not a force at hand to protect them. Mr Sewell, American Oonsu’, and Mr Wilson, Acting-British Consul, issued proclamations that their Governments do not, and never have, recognised Tamesese as King of Samoa, but continue as heretofore to recognise Malietoa.

The schooner which arrived at Suva brings urgent demands for a British, man-of-war, hut there was not one in Fiji, H.M.S. Swinger having left the previous day. Four German men-of war lying in Apia have landed 1300 troops and marines. Russell, September 8. The Wainui arrived this morning. She reports four German men-of-war lying at Samoa. Had landed 1300 men, and proclaimed Tamaseso king. The English and American Consuls issued a proclamation that their Governments do not recognise Tamasese as king, but continue to recognise and advise the Samoans to submit quietly and await peaceably the result of the deliberations. Auckland, September 8. Further details of the Samoan trouble show that, on declaring war, the German commodore landed a force of 250 men from the ship Bismarck, 150 each from the Olga, Carola, and Sophie, in all 700 men, and took possession of the Samoan Government House. They broke into the < mission honse of the London Missionary Society and other houses, and committed other acts of violence. King Malietoa’s followers meditated an attack on the Tamasese party, but the English residents prevailed upon them to desist, and King Malietoa and his men retreated to the mountains. Tamasese came to Apia on August 25th in the Carola, when he _ was installed King by the Germans in Malietoa’s stead. A massacre is feared.