SAMOAN AFFAIRS

Temuka Leader, Issue 1879, 16 April 1889, Page 1

SAMOAN AFFAIRS

Sydney, April 13. The German warship Olga, which was run ashore during the recent gales in Apia harbor, was successfully floated and came on here, arriving this morning. The steamer Lubeck also arrived this morning with a large number of the shipwrecked sailors belonging to the German warships Ebet and Adler. News from Apia says that it is understood that the German ships are to be withdrawn from Samoa, with the exception of about 60 men, who remain to protect German property and interests.

The San Francisco mail steamer Alameda called at Apia on her trip to San Francisco, and took on 40 of the American sailors, who were either suffering from injuries sustained during the wrecks or from fevers.

A large number of bodies have been washed ashore and buried. The total number of lives lost is 143.

Great damage was caused throughout the group, and it is estimated that it will take fully two years to recover from the effects of the hurricane. The natives especially will feel the loss of food. April 14. Information received from Apia states that Captain Erhardt expressed a doubt as to his being able to float the American flagship Trenton, although he has received advice that the plant will soon arrive from America. The Trenton is believed to be full of holes, but it is expected that she might be floated off.

The Nipaic, which was the first of the American vessels to go ashore, was very much knocked about, but it is thought that her engines, which remain intact, will be saved.

Fritze, the corvette’s captain, and commandant of the Adler, says that the adherents of Mataafa only assisted the Americans during the earlier part of the day, but in the afternoon no distinction was shown and both Americana and Germans were treated alike.

Berlin, April 14. It ia believed that an amicable settlement of the Samoan difficulty will result from the conference between the American and the German delegates.