THE SAMOAN WAR.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1841, 17 January 1889, Page 4

THE SAMOAN WAR.

A LADY’S LETTER. The following graphic letter received by a lady resident in Wellington from a friend in Samoa, is published by the Post: — Apia, Samoa, 23rd Dec. “ My dear Mrs : If you are anxious about my experiences, it will not be without reason. On the 21st we were all hurried on board H.M.S. Royalist, as the Germans threatened to fire all Mataafa’s settlements, and they are close to us. We left everything, only I took my money, etc., in my dressing-bag, which is still on board for safety. We had but the clothes we stood in, and a dressing gown 'each. We just looked round the rooms, and said ‘ We shall have nothing left,’ and then went down to the ship’s boat which was waiting for us. All the men stayed on shore to defend their property, but happily it proved another scare. It very nearly turned out to be serious, fora German boat with an armed crew chased a native, and in firing just missed Captain Hand, of the Royalist, who happened to be near the ferry. That put a check on the German movements and they undertook to give 43 hours’ notice before firing another shot, Guns and revolvers are always kept ready, and the barricaded dining room tells its own tale. Just before I began this letter a boat pulled off from one of the three G erman warships full of sailors, some armed, followed by their steam launch. They pulled to the shore, then turned and went back to the next ship. Everyone was watching from the beach, and the decks and rigging of the English and American warships were crowded. We are waiting to hear very anxiously what it means. The German treachery is terrible. They dressed up 100 of Tamasese’s men in their uniforms last Monday, and landed them in Mataafa’s camp. The Tuamasagos are grand fellows, and fought well. They took six German heads, killed in all 15 (one officer) and wounded about 36, and the Germans are frantic, but they brought it on themselves. It is a terrible state of affairs, and no one knows what will be done next, or what to do. All we know is that we are in the midst of very considerable danger, and never know when the bullets may begin flying about us, or the flames start up. Thank God we have had a brilliant moon all through the week, which has made watching easy, but it is eerie work at night. Christmas day—Mail leaving; all quiet so far; a happy new year to all. We have a few people to dinner to-day, and all cheerful. I shall send my journal of all this war by-and-by. A daughter of the late King Malietoa came last night to ask us to a picnic at their house to-day, and to bring the baby. Comedy and tragedy are very near to one another,”