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WeathorTo-Dayi FAIR; WARMER. The News and Observer. VOL. XLVI. NO. IS. LEADS ILL NORTH GAROLMA HUES 1 lEIS 111 CIRP’ILATIOM. OUrGUnsßoar in Samoa MATAAFA, BACKED BY ROSE, DE FIES OUR ADMIRAL. Americans Fortify Mulinuu Filled With Ma lietoans —Mataafans Attack It —British 1 and American Bombardment* (Copyright 1899 by A ssoeiated Press.) Apia. Samoan Islands. March 23. via Auckland, N. Z.. March 2!).—The troubles growing out of the election of a kin}' of Samoa have taken a more seri ous turn and resulted in a bombardment of native villages along tin 1 shore by the T’nited Staff's cruiser Philadelphia. Ad miral Kautz commanding. and the British cruisers Porpoise and Royalist. The bomhardment has continued inter mittently for S days. Several villages have been burned, and there have been a number of casualties among the Ameri can and British saiior> and marines. As yet it is impossible to estimate the number of natives killed or injured. As Mataafa and his chiefs, constitu ting the provisional government, contin ued to defy the treaty after the arrival of the Philadelphia. Admiral Kautz summoned the various consuls and senior naval officers to a conference on hoard the Philadelphia, when the whole situa tion was carefully canvassed. The up shot was a resolution to dismiss the pro visional government and Admiral Kautz issued a prelamation calling upon Mataafa and his chiefs to return to their homes. Mataafa evacuated Mulinuu, the town he had made his headquarters and went into the interior. Herr Rose, the German Consul at Apia, issued a proclamation supplement ing the one lie had issued several weeks before, upholding tin* provisional govern ment. As a result of this the Mataafans assembled in large force and hemmed in the town. The British cruiser Royalist brought the Malietna prisoners from the islands to which they had been transferred by the provisional government. The Americans then fortified Mulinuu. where 22,000 Malietoans took refuge. The rebels—the adherents of Mataafa— barricaded the roads within the luuni . cipality and seized the British houses. An ultimatum was then sent to them, ordering them to evacuate, and threaten ing them in the event of refusal, with a bombardment to commence at 1 o'clock on tin* afternoon of March loth. This was ignored, and the rebels commenced an attack in the direction of the United States and British consulates about half an hour before the time fixed for the The Clash Foreseen; No Rupture With Germany Expected- Washington, March 20. —The news from Samoa that the United States cruiser Philadelphia, and the British cruisers PorjMiise and Royalist had bom barded the towns held by Mataafa. who has thus far had the official support of the Herman Government, came with startling suddenness to officials here and displaced for the time being the atten tion given to the lighting aronail Manila. The shelling of Mataafa was looked upon as of secondary importance, but ihe deepest interest attached to the attitude of the Herman Government. At first apprehensions were felt that grave in ternational complications might ensue. But those most intimately familiar with the latest official exchanges between Washington, London and Berlin, did not take such a gloomy view of the outlook. While recognizing that the bloodshed at Samoa created a very' serious and deli cate situation, yet it was said to be a situation which had been clearly appre hended and had been discussed in ad vance between the representatives of the three Government. The real crisis, from jin international standpoint, occurred last week when this apprehended outbreak was discussed. Although relations were greatly strained, it was irossible t > se cure an understanding which is sa'd to make sure that the outbreak now re- 1 ported will not cause a rupture in the relations between the United States and Germany, or between Great Britain and Germany. \ The details of the bombardment, as conveyed in the Associated Press dis patches, were read with e.".go” interest by leading Government and d’plormitie officei*s who have been most directly concerned in handling the Samoan ques tion. There was nothing of an ofii.ial character, however, either at the State or Navy Departments, or at the British or German Embassies, to tinmen! the very full press report. Upon ibis offi cials based their views. In all quarters there were expressions of concern and surprise at the serious . ness and extent of the bomba: dmeut, and the resulting loss of life 'that some overt act would take place has ; been apprehended for many days, but there was little idea it woul 1 take such a broad sweep and lead to such henry loss of life, lu tliis aspect of the case the actual results were regarded as far more serious than those which hat! been expected and provided for. during the recent diplomatic exchanges between the till' e Governments. Moreover, new elements of inlerna tionnl danger had unexpectedly arisen. These* included the proclamation of the German Consul, Bose, which, it is be lieved, tended to incite the Mataafa patty to an open revolt; also the wound-] t bombardment. The Philadelphia. Por poise and Royalist opened five upon the ; distant villages. There was great diffi- J cully in locating the enemy, owing to the 'dense forest; but several shore villages ! were soon in flames. I A defective shell from the Philadelphia exploded near the American consulate, and the marines outside narrowly es caped. A fragment struck the leg of Private Budge, shattering it so badly as to necessitate amputation. Another fragment traversed the German consul ate, smashing the crockery. The Ger mans then went on Imard the German cruiser Faike. | During the night the rebels made a hot attack on .the town, killing three British sailors. A British marine was shot in the leg by a sentry of his own party, another wa>j/shot in the foot, and an American sentry was killed at his post. The bomhardment continuing, the inhabitants of the town took refuge on board the Royalist, greatly crowding the vessel. Many people are leaving Samoa, the captain of the Royalist urging them to go. so as not to interfere with the mili tary operations. The Porpoise lias shelled the villages | east and * west of Apia and captured many boats. | The Americans and British are fighting splendidly together, hut there is a bitter feeling against the Germans. Two men. a British and German sub ject. have been arrested as spies. The bombardment of the jungle was for a time very hot. j FRIENDLY TALKS ON SAMOA. | London. March 21).—The Foreign Offices authorize the statement that the discussions going on between Great Brit ain. the United States and Germany, with regard'#' proceeding in a friendly and satisfactory manner. ORDERED TO SAMOA. Apia, Samoan Islands, March 23, via Auckland, N. Z.. March 20. —The Brit , ish cruiser Tauranga, which it is umier . stood, was intending to annex the Tonga i Islands <a section of the Friendly Is i lands in the Pacific) was intercepted at J Suva, capital of the Fiji Islands, by or ldcr of the Home Government. ing and killing of British sailors and marines, tin* shooting of an American sentry, and the attacks on the consulates. These all involve unknown possibilities of serious complication. "While they had been guarded against its far as possible by the recent anticipatory exchanges, yet it was felt that the German press and national sentiment might be wrought to a high pitch by the events which had occurred, and that this outburst of popu lar feeling might overcome the strong efforts of officials to keep the subject within pacific bounds. In an authoritative quarter the attitude of the British and American officials was stated substantially as follows: ll was mutually understood between the two Governments that the *;r-t essen tial in Samoa was to maintain peace and order. For that reason, it was deter mined that any lawlessness on the part of Mataafa or any other Samoan ele ment. which threatened the lives or prop erty of residents, would be suppressed even though force was required. This was entirely without reference to the rights of the three Governments —Great Britain, the United States and Ger many—and was merely a rule of self preservation and police security. ! Acting on this understanding Captain . Stunice of tin* Porpoise gave notice some time ago that lie* would bombard the i Mataafans if there was any outbreak or disorder. Tins insured quiet for a time, but he has always been ready to use force if it was necessary. It was not I proposed to give Samoa over to a r*ign of anarchy simply because tin* German | consular official at Samoa differed with tin* British and American officials. Outside of these differences, it was proposed to protect life and property at util hazards. When Admiral Ivautz went to Samoa hi* also hail as his first duty to protect life and properry and to maintain order. It is evident that tin* bloodshed lias arisen out of this united effort of the American and British com mand rs to protect the law abiding and peaceful elements against tin* disorderly and rebellious subjects ot Mataafa. This is evidenced by Malaa l'a's action in hemming in the town where tin* American and British officials resided; also in the attacks on thi* consulate, and in the general ow less ness which has prevailed since Ma taafa began his reign. In short, accord ing to the view of those liest acquainted with the subject, th British and Aine’i can ease will rest upon the paramount necessity of preserving peace and ordir. The German view, it can lie stated On very omimiit autli nary, is not likely to raise a direct issue on the posii*on thus laid down by the British and An'.er j iean officials. Uu me contrary there* RALEIGH. NORTH CAROLINA, THFRSDAY MORNING, MARCH 30, 1899. Steamer Split in Twain —f— APPALLING LOSS OF LIFE IN AN EXPLOSION. With a Thunderous Roar the Rowena Lee Was Hurled Skyward—More Than Fifty People Killed. St. Louis. Mo.. March 20. —A special to the Republic from New Madrid. Mo., 'says: J "The steamer Rowena Leo with .">l passengers aboard, besides her crew, ex | ploded opposite Tyler, Mo., about 4 o’clock tliis afternoon and immediately sank with all on board, except Captain George Carvell and one of the crew. “Tbe steamer left Cairo with 10 pas sengers aboard bound for Memphis. "At Caruthersville. Mo., she landed and took aboard lb more passengers. It it estimated that with passengers and crew she then had aboard about fifty ! people. j "She made the next landing at Tyler. Mo., and at 4 o’clock this afternoon hacked into midstream from T.v'ei to proceed on her journey. The steamer had just reached the middle of the river ( when she suddenly stopped and lurched as if a snag ial been struck. The next moment the boat parted in the middle, a volume o? steam and debris arose, and the detonation of an explosion i thundered over the water. “The Rowena Lee was manned by the following crew: I Captain—George Carvell. j First Clerk—L. K. Booker. Second Clerk —(fits Mitchell. i Third Clerk—Sam# Lewis. is said to be a growing disposition on : the part of Germany to hold llcrr Rose accountable for the oil bculii-'s n.to which he lias directed his Government. For a time he was sustained by toe natural desire to protect him in the prop er discharge* of his duties, hut the German authorities have not contem plated that lie would carry the matt r to an open rupture resulting in blood shed. On that account, then* is good reason to believe that the German G< ■- eminent will not sustain Ilerr Rose and that official information in that dino tion has already been conveyed. The diplomatic exchanges leading up to this crisis have lieen very sharp within the last few days. Early last week the British Government received j direct information from Samoa that Ad miral Kautz liad arrived there and had summoned a meeting of all the officials for March 11th. The German authori ties felt sure this meeting would result in serious trouble. Tlu* Berlin Foreign Office therefore instructed th-.* German Ambassador here. Dr. Yon Holl-vbcn, to present a note embodying Germany’:: views. It argued that a naval com mander had no right to act sav - in exe cuting tin* will of the three consuls, act ing unanimously and not through a majority. But aside from this argument tile German note intimated quite plainly that Germany would hold tin* otiiei ; Governments responsible if serious trou | hie resulted from the action of the naval : authorities in Samoa. The sii*aiu.*l con ditions caused by this note \\*.!v some what allayed'by tlu* answer of die State Department, which was friendly and n assuring. although it made plain that tin* American naval ••ommauJe'* would act in an emergency, even though tlu* consuls wen* not unanimous m requesting action. It is just such an emergency that lias now occ irrod in Samoa. There is no a up/, i- a-..0n n>iv ihat an actual clash will occur with the German civil or naval forces in Samoa. This is due mainly to the official understanding that Germany has given positive orders to tlu* commander of tlu* German war j ship Faike to refrain from any active ; move. | COMMENT OF ENGLISH PRESS. London, March 29. —The morning newspapers comment on the serious news from Samoa, the presumption be ing that the cruiser Tauranga was stopped at tlu* Fiji Islands by the Ad miral because required for service at Samoa. Tlu* Standard Says: "The reliellious chiefs must he coerced and punished, and something more than a nominal penalty will be required T >r Mia blood of British and American sail ors. The G rinaii authorities at Apia have incurred a heavy resiwmsiou ty. We cannot believe that Berlin will up hold their action, as it is not worth Germany’s while to quarrel with Eng land and America over Samoa.” The Daily Chronicle says: "Ther- is only one alternative. Ger many 11 mi s*r remove her consul TI I err I Rosa*) or go out of the protectorate.” I Tlu* Morning Post commenting upon the "mystery surrounding the affair. ’ and the "impossibility of reconciling the events in Samoa with diplomatic as surances lately given by Berlin and Washington," says: “Admiral Kautz and his coadjutors were not competent to dismiss the pro visional government. The single bright spot in this dark business is that the : Americans and British fought splendidly together.” The Daily Mail says* "It is a consolation to think that, as in Crete, tin* spilling of British and Anuriean blood will bring a solution of j the crisis. All three powers should re call their consuls and as the friendship of Germany is tlu* pivot of our foreign j Pilots—Sid Smith and E. Banks. Mates—John Crusty and Patrick Flannagan. Engineers—Albert (’aider and Frank Stull. Steward—George \Y. Todd. Mail Clerk—M. T. Kelly. Most of the crew live in Memphis. The names of her passengers cannot ! he learned. “The river is running very high and tile steamer immediately sank with all ion hoard but the Captain and one of the | crew. They . clung to wreckage and were saved by boats.” AX APPALLING LOSS OF LIFE. Memphis, Tenn.. March 2!). —The ! steamer Rowena Lee was owned by the Lee Line of Memphis, and was one of | the best passenger steamers in the Mis sissippi river trade. She plied between | -Memphis and Cairo. From local river men it was ascortain i ed that the Rowena Lee carried a cabin crew of about lb officers, and a deck crew numbering about 30. Taking the ; figures and a fair number u passengers ; taken on tit. Cairo and other points it : can easily ho reasoned that at least 00 ! people were on board tnob oat when the 1 disaster occurred. policy her wishes should he respited in tln> final settlement.” THE JINGOES ARE REBUKED. Berlin, March 21).—The Neueste Nnchrichten, which disapproves the at titude of the jingo papers in accusing the Government of a lack of vigor re garding Samoan affairs, says: "G i many's position in Europe is not so eseure that any strength should he wasted in an attempt to treat trans oceanic problems in accordance with the dictates of a lively political fancy.” TAURA.VGA’S MISSION. Tonga Islands. March 23. via Auck land, X. Z.. March* 21). —The British cruiser Tauranga arrived here on March 7lh under sealed orders on a secret mis sion. It is surmised that her visit was the result of rumors of an intended German annexation, the cruiser aiming to secure an agreement that, if any nation is to annex the Tonga Islands, it shall he England. The captain of the Tauranga. before leaving on March 18th, said he had ac complished his mission satisfactorily, and that the German, incident had been overrated, the German claim being trifling, except as to the right to a coal ing station in the Island of Yavao. It is doubtful whether the German Consul intends to proci*ed even with this, GENERAL LEE'S FUTURE. W ill Probably be Made a Brigadier and Remain in Cuba. Havana. March 29. —Governor General Brooke this afternoon received the fol lowing dispatch from Puebla, Mexico: "Please publish our onerg tie protest against slanderous reports stating that the Cubans residing here are trying to help the Tagalos in the Philippines against the United States. W\> reiter ate our public testimony of gratitude and adherence to the United States. This in the name of the Cuban colony at Puebla. (Signed) "ANTONIO IIEVIA.” Major General Lee takes so much to heart the breaking up of the Seventh army corps that he will not say good liyc to the departing regiments. Os the fourteen thousand men originally consti tuting the corps, not fiv thousand re main. General Lee’s future is uncertain. Secretary Alger asked him what he wished,, and lie replied that he would like the Governorship of Havana Pro vince, exclusive of the city of Havana, and of the Province of Pinar Del Rio, as it is understood the two will be placed fin one department. The supposition is that General Lee wlill he made a brigadier and remain in Cuba in some command. A GIFT OF'TEN MILLION. Vanderbilt Gives Young W. I\. a Princely Fortune. New York, March 20.—'The Evening World says: "William lv. Vanderbilt nas duplicated his wedding .present to his daughtei Consuelo, Duchess of Marlboro, for his son. William lv. Vanderbilt, Jr. Securities amounting in value to $lO.- 000,000 have lw*en turned over to tin young man by his father.” Miss Virginia Fair, the bride to he, is said to have $5,000,000 in her own right. A PROMOTER. "And so her father got rich out of an inventionV Well. I'm surprised. lie doesn’t look as if in* knew enough to in vent anything.” "He didn’t invent anything except a plan for freezing out the inventor.” - Chicago News. At the GaDlof Mololos -/■ v - v THE FILIPINOS ?IGHT FURIOUSLY IN THE JUNGLE. Desperate Resistance Expected at Maiolos — Country Full of Ashes of Burned Homes, Bodies of Unburied Dead. Manila, March 20. —(Noon.) —1 he ] American army advanced at six o'clock i this morning, sweeping onward three 1 miles before 10 o’clock and driving thi n hols beyond liocave, to the east of Bulncau, and on the railroad leading to Alalolos. Our troops met with but slight resis * tance. j Tin* Filipinos fin tl volleys yesterday 'evening, for the purpose of drawing the American fire and disclosing the locality of our positions. Two men of the Pennsylvania regi , ment and one man belonging to the Da ! kota regiment were wounded. The ! Americans remained silent. 'l'iit' country between Mnriilao and Ma nila presents a picture of desolation. Smoke is curling from hundreds of ash heaps and the remains of tres and fences torn by shrnphnel are to be seen everywhere., The general appearance of I tiiti country 4s as if it had been swept ■by a cyclone. The roads are strewn with furniture and clothing dropped in flight by the Filipinos. i The only persons remaining behind are tt few aged persons too infirm to es cape. They camp beside the ruins ot the former homes and beg passers-by for any kind of assistance. The ma j jority of them are living on tne generosi j ty of our soldiers, who give them por tions of their rations. Bodies of dead Filipinos are stranded in the shallows of the river, or are rest j ing in the jungle where they crawled to i die of were left in the wake of the hur i riedly r: treating army. There is no time j at present to bury them. ! The inhabitants who fled from Mari j lao and Meycauayan left in such a panic that on tables our soldiers found spread ; money and valuables, and in the rooms i wore trunks containing other property of value. This was. the case in most of the houses deserted. They were not molest ed by our soldiers, bu-t the Chinese who slip in between the armies, are looting when they can and have taken posses sion of several houses, over which they , raised Chinese flags, some of winch were (torn down. 7:35 P. M. —At daylight General Mc- Arthur’s division advanced from Mari -1 lao along the railroad to Bigaa, live i miles distant, with the Nebraska, South j Dakota and I* nnsylvania regiments on the right, and the Kansas and Montana ! regiments and tin- Third artillery on the : left. General Wheaton’s brigade is in j reserve. | The American forces met with strong : opposition in the jungle. i* irst one : Nebraskan, then one Pennsylvanian, | and afterward two of the Montana rogi !mi nt were killed. Thirty-five were wounded, including one officer of the Kansas regimunt. The rebels burned the villages as they retreated, in bad order, toward Maiolos. The enemy also tore up sections of the railroad an many places and at tempted to burn the bridge at Bigaa. but the tire was extinguished, owing to the timely arrival of tiie Americans. The rebels had not finished their trenches along the line of to-da.v’s march, show ing they wer not prepared for our advance. It is believed, however, that there will be a hard light before Maiolos is taken. The Minnesota regiment re-enforced the division to-day, marching from the water-works during the night to Manila, and going to the front by train. Ti STORY TOLD BY OTIS. Washington. March 21). —The following report was received at the "War Depart ment to-day from Gen iral Otis: "Manila, March 21)th. “Adjutant General, Washington. “-McArthur’s advance yesterday only to outskirts of Marilao; took until late in afternoon to repair road and rail road bridges and send eats through with supplies. Commenced march at six ibis morning; will march rapidly on Bocave and will continue to Bigaa, sewn miles from Maiolos. Enemy have destroyed railway and telegraph lines; construc tion train is following our forces. Enemy’s, resistance not so vigorous to day. Our loss tints far slight. Towns in front of our advance being destroyed by fire. Troops in txcellent spirits. (Signed) *w<S.” OF K BOYS ALMOST AT HER GATES. Fierce Fighting Brings Them Less Within Thau Four Miles of Maiolos. j Washington, March 21).—The following ! advices from Manila were received by I the War Departm nt to-night: “Manila, March 21)th. “Adjutant General, Washington. "MaeArrhur at six yesterday morning from Marilao, passed rapidly to Bocave. j At eleven forty-five took up advance for Bigaa and at three fifteen in the after noon for Guiguinto, three and one halt miles from Maiolos, reaching that point lat five. Casualties for the day about To. Fierce fighting in the afternoon. Troops made crossing of river at Guiguinto by working artillery over railroad bridge by baud and swimming mules against fierce resistance. Column will pass on railroad l PRICE FIVE CENTS. j to extreme front; nearly repair 'd and j will re-supply troops to-d.ty. (Signed» “OTIS." DISCUSS WAR SITUATION. Tlu* President Gratified With Otis' Progress. Washington, March 21). — I The President discussed with his advisers and callers the situation in the Philippines. Assist ant Secretary of War Meiklejohn and Adjutant General Corbin, who have kept close track of the progress of the American army and the condition of the troops were with him for some time. With them he went over the situation and expressed his pleasure at the good j progress General Otis and his generals had made, though lie regretted the loss of life. j The dispatch of General Otis received j early this morning was not supp'.oinent ! ed by any later news. I The opinion was given tit the War De partment that General Otis had ample ! force under his command, and that when thi‘ regulars now on their way to Manila j reached their destination there would he little need of retaining the volunteers !in service there. No demand for muster out will hold good until the formal ratifi } cation of the pence treaty occurs, and ! when this will he done is not known, i The French Ambassador, who is acting i for Spain, has no information on the j subject, and does not know when the treaty will be received here. Secretary Alger has reported a fa | vorable condition of affairs in Cuba, and : has expressed the opinion that more 1 troops than are now in the island will | not he neisled. After tin* vo'nnteers art* ; sent home, there will be 14 regiments i with a total of 18.000 men in Cuba, LiUaJiWK two regiments of regulars to J each province. There if as some discussion in official circles regarding the proclamation which the Philippine commission may issue. This action, it is said, is entrel.v dscre tionary with the commission. It may issue its proclamation after General (uis reaches Maiolos, or it may delay it until the time seems more opportune. If. as reported in some quarters, the Filipinos abandon Maiolos as a capital and go further north, it is possible that the proclamation may l>e withheld. It is intended that the proclamation shall declare the purpose of the Government of the I'nited States in the Island of Luzon, and it may seem desirable to establish fully the authority of the United States over the island before any such step is taken. DEATH OF GENERAL FLAGLER. He Passes Away at Old Point After Acute Suffering. ' N wport News, Ya.. March 20.—Brig adier General I>. V. Flagler is dead. After many weeks of suffering from rheumatism, which recently developed acute and distressing phases. Gen ml Flagler passed away this afternoon at the ll.vgcia Hotel at Old Point, whither he came three weeks ago by advice of his physician's in the hop- of obtaining at least an amelioration of the suffering attendant upon his ailments. The General's wife and daughter were constantly ,at his bedside during the past wei k. and with tender hands and loving devotion, soothed him in his last hours. The patient’s attending physicians from the day of his arrival at Old Point. \v . the post surgeon at Fort Monroe, who ; spent much of his time in the sick room j giving his personal attention to the ■ case of the invalid. The body will he prepared for burial and removal to Washington to-morrow afternoon. General Flagler at the time of his death was Chief of Ordnance, U. S. .V. j INFANTICIDE DIES IN JAIL. I W ilson, N. C., March 29. —(Special.* Della Green, a negro woman who was in jail upon the charge of infanticide, died Insif night. She was arrested in , Halifax county, where she had gem* : after tin* destruction of her baby. I’he ■ body of the newly horn infant was found in the garden of the boils.■ m which she lived before* she left \Vils< i. . The body showed that it hail been par tially burned. j GEORGETOWN VS. LEHIGH. i Washington, March, 2!).~ Georgetown | bunched her hits to-day mainly in the ! fifth inning and won easily from Le high. Keuna struck out 14 men. Score: Georgetown, 9; hits, 11: errors, 3. | Lehigh. 2; hits, 4: errors, 3. Batteries: Georgetown—Kennti and Cranston; Lehigh, Kelly and Carmen. ME UK ITT GOES TO NEW YORK. Newport News. March 29.—Gincral Wesley Merritt, who has been resting at Old Point, left for New York to night. Hi* will make an unofficial visit of inspection to the fortifications there.
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March 30, 1899, edition 1
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