Samoan Residents Honour German Dead.

Impressive Ceremony at Mulinu’u Monument.

From Our Own Correspondent.

APIA, July 10.

IN the presence of a large assembly, including the Administrator (Gen eral Hart), Commander Rams bottom, and a detachment from H.M.S. “Laburnum,” an impres sive and touching ceremony was held on Sunday, July 3, at the monument over the graves of the German sailors who lost their lives in the hurricane of 1889 or were killed in action during the fight with the Samoans at Vailele in 1888.

The occasion marked the complete renovation of the monument. The rep resentative gathering, comprising about 400 Europeans, testified to the harmony and sincere friendship, in which at all times and under different Governments, the nationals of different countries have lived in Samoa.

At the decorated monument, with the scene of the disaster of 1889 in full view, Pastor R. Reye, Samoan born son of one of the oldest German settlers, addressed the meeting in a German sermon.

A large number of floral tributes were laid down at the monument, amongst them wreaths of the German residents, the Administrator, the Commander and crew of H.M.S. “Laburnum” and num erous others of all nationalities.

Mr. G. Klinkmueller addressed the meeting in the English language and described shortly the historical events of the fateful years of 1888-1889, cul minating in the fight at Vailele, where 14 German sailors were killed, besides a large number wounded, and which was followed a few months later by the disastrous hurricane, when two German and two American warships went down in Apia harbour with heavy loss of life, Mr. Klinkmueller pointed out the re markable fact that the Samoans, shortly after the heavy fighting, in the

face of the common foe of mankind, forgot their enmity to the Europeans and saved a large number of sailors’ lives at the risk of their own, showing self-denial and nobility of character, as well as courage.

The speaker pointed further to the attendance as guests of honour at, the meeting of three old German settlers, Messrs. Gebauer, Partsch and Paul, who were eye-witnesses of the hurri cane, as also were Messrs. R. Easthope and C. Hellesoe.

Another guest of honour was Mr.

Manuel de Silva, who, during the hur ricane, on board the small schooner “Utumapu,” saved the lives of sixteen German sailors.

The procession reformed and marched on to the Anglo-American monument near-by, where Pastor Reye again held a short service in English language.

Amongst those present was Petty Of ficer R. C. Rollason, of H.M.S. “Labur num,” a nephew of the late Leading- Seaman A. M. Prout, one of those on the Roll of Honour on the Anglo-Am erican monument.

Again the procession formed and made its way through picturesque Mulinu’u village to Mulinu’u Point and the graves of the Samoan high chiefs, Malietea and Tamasese, to pay respect to them also. At the graveside, Pastor Reye delivered a short sermon in the Samoan language and wreaths were placed on the graves by the Adminis trator, the German settlers and others.

The proceedings closed with the play ing of the national anthem.

The solemnity and dignified tact with which the ceremony was conducted throughout made a deep impression.

Pastor Reye, especially, delivered his sermon with singular earnestness and deep conviction, speaking with equal fluency and ease in the German, Eng lish and Samoan languages.