The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 12, 1899, Page 25

SAN FRANCI CO, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1899 2 Sow the Jozzere/yn{y of Samoa Was Won. American and British Representatives Unite to Oppose the German Influence: ccognized . that to be appre- ter of the va- returned about s exile in Jaluit, ag r t with the Consuls ‘ Pow took seat of gov- in the municipal- 5 solemn leave Mu- any way ¢ He, the o acant f Novem- b vas asked to g. The ing thereupon gave Mataafa fiad not b n- er,.: aceprdix and cus- days later of the his father rightfully son rceed was he Justice, by virtue the rred on him by the Berlin a proclamation that and determine the rights court, German, Brit- i States Ci attend- Then the German Con- ceased to attend. Before Y there had been a m the Consuls, at which the ( nsud stated that the Chief Jus- not’ properly conducting the tion, and wished the 1y from the Supreme Court ubmitted tor a one-man-one-vote B8 ut ~ Samoa. 8. wds ed te on the grounds that the Su- Court twas the tribunal specially sypointed by the Berlin treaty to settle late | hip by public investigation. consented to this, and in bide the r for eleven_ day the most™ influential gave evidence. | we of the de- / f// - dispute in regard to the kingship, and the court had taken jurisdiction it|00D 00OCCO0000000000 N a military way the First Regiment lifornia Volunteers is undoubted- pride of California. Its efficien- v and dicipline have been tried and found not wanting. The active service performed by this organization and the manner in which the officers and men have conducted themselves at all times has earned for them the well bestowed title of the ‘Fighting First,” the “irst” and the “Gallant First | Tt is the purpose of this articie to s in a way the spirit of friendliness comradeship that pervades the regiment, | particularly among those in command. | | All officers in the regular army have so- nicknames which most of ng the days of their h have stuck to them acquired d "hrlque(. or | | ip and w | through subsequent years. Our own Regiment is not behindhand in this mat- | ter and every officer has his “off duty cognomen by which he is familiarly known, a great many of which have been carned by little incidents with which they were connected during the late war, and rve to show that even du rious of events there will alw ome one who Wwill/see the ludicrou of things and comment accordingly. Every one knows, of course, the name hich Colonel James F. Smith is fa- known. He had in fact earned it long before the war with Spain, and that war has served to show that it was well bestowed. So far as the Philippines are concerned he was the only one entitied to a handle to his name, and right well s he deserve the appellation of “Fight- Smith.” TENANT COLONEL VICTOR DUBOC the second in command, has been a valuable man in directing the af- fairs of the regiment, particularly as to matters of detail, and his many sugges- tions for the welfare of the regiment have earned for him the title of “Little Sug- | gestion” Duboce. P MAJOR BOXTON was troubled contin- ually with his feet and consequentiy pre- vented to some extent from attending to regular routine duties. His trouble earned for him the title of “Klondike Boxton.” MAJOR TILDEN, erstwhile commander | of the Third Battalion, was a long time | earning a familiar title, but after lead- TANU, f Chosen- King of Samoa by the Powers Under . Treaty of Berlin. with the consent of all parties, and had proceeded almost to the close of the in- vestigations, From this time onward during the trial rumors were rife of threatening speeches made by prominent Mataafa chiefs against the whites in general, and mc particularly against the Chief Justice, whose life was threat- ened. The thr against the Chief ice was no idle rumor, and, upon ts being made, suls held a meeting and agreed to issue i placing the Chief Jus- his court and private > under the protection of the e pPOWer: The British and Ameri- can Consuls did as agreed upon, and the English and American flags were hoisted at the Chief Justice's private residence, and the proclamation was is- sued by these two Consuls. The Ger- man Consul, for some reason or other, did not carry out the engagement. On December 31 the court gave its decision, whereby it decreed that Ma- taafa was not rightly elected, and was ineligible for the office, and that Tanu had been rightfully elected King, con- formably with the provisions of the Berlin treaty and the laws and customs of Samoa not in conflict therewith. The British and American Consuls were present at the decision, and were hand- ed copies of the decree, which they publicly stated they would respect and abide by. The German Consul was not present, but the court sent him also ing his battalion on the 13th of August in column of fours from Camp Dewey to the Escolta he dismounted from his Phil- ippine pony, waved his sword high in air and remarked that his work was done. Since that time his title has been “My ‘Work Is Done’ Tilden. MAJOR SIME is familiarly known as “0Old Man” and sometimes™‘Mother Sime" by reason of his penchant for looking after the junior officers, tending to their wants and seeing that they were well housed and had proper fare. DR. McCARTHY was in trouble all the time, for his rank as major entitled him to a certain dignity which he was not.al- lowed to maintain. It was a question of too much rank, and the doctor-major was looking continually for the silver leaves of a lieutenant colonel, which never came. His constant bemoaning of his fate re- sulted in the name of “Hard Luck” Mc- Carthy. DR. CAPTAIN FARRELL is a great be- liever in the efficacy of salt water as a medicine and recommends it for every- thing. As a consequence he -is oftener known as ‘“‘Salt Water Farrell” than Dr. Farrell. DR. RETHERS was early christened “Admiral von Dederichs”” on account of his close resemblance to the gentleman of that name who almost gave Dewey a chance to “blow him out of the water” at Manila. ADJUTANT CAPTAIN KELLEHER, at all times staid and dignified, soon earned the name of “Hobhy-horse Kelleher” from the . peculiar gait he managed to make his horse acquire while riding him. BATTALION ADJUTANT LIEUTEN- ANT JOHN J. WEST, one of the most popular officers, was soon famous- after the capture of Manila for taking .long walks and unaccountably disappearing. He was familiarly addressed and saluted as the “inspector of lonesome places.” It is 'also related how a sentinel at No. 1 post on the approach of Lieutenant West called “turn out the guard; general in- formation,” much to the surprise of the lieutenant and to the disgust of the sen. tinel, who was immediately relieved and put in the guardhouse. CAPTAIN O'NEILL, the senior captain, sustained his title as “Bluffer O'Neil” “casions the MULIAGA, who fired the first shot in the civil war for the kingship of Samoa. 2 copy, receipt of which was aever acknowledged. During the trial neither Tanu nor Mmm‘(m put in an appearance, but all the high chiefs on either side attended daily, and great crowds hung around the courthouse. After the Judge had decided the natives left the court- house peaceably, without the. slightest demonstration or expression of any sort. All appeared to accept the situ- ation. This, however, deceived no one. A meeting of the Consuls, the Chief Justice, President and Captain Sturdee of H. M. S. Porpoise, was held almost immediately after the decision, and Tanu was recognized King by all except the German Consul and the President (Dr. Raffel, a German For- eign official). These Germans absolutely refused to recognize the King, or to agree to any prociamation on his behalf. They open- ly encouraged the disappointed Mataa- fa faction, and in this they were sup- (earned long before the war) on all oc- except one, . and then rank downed him. CAPTAIN CUNNINGHAM was “cap- tain” until about August 3, when after a twenty-four hours’ tour at the intrench- ments . he returned to camp and to the assembled officers detailed in a very tragic manner how he had directed his company in resisting an attack of the Spanish, de- scribing how he saw the “whites of their eyes,” “hand to hand conflict,” etc. Next day it was shown that his enemy was a thicket of bamboo with its waving leaves; result, “Hand to Hand Conflict Cunning- ham.”” CAPTAIN WARREN, familiarly called the “kicker,” found many opportunities to exercise his well known ability for finu- ing fault and consequently was in his ele- ment. i CAPTAIN SUTLIFFE has long been known'as ‘‘Smoothy.” CAPTAIN EGGERT was familiar to all szilie Second Battalion mess as *Frisco m. CAPTAIN DUMBRELL before the war was popularly known as “Grasshopper Jim,” but that is all changed now. He joined the “letter-writing brigade” in an unfortunate moment, and described to his admiring friend at home who published same, thinking it gospel, how he nearly captured the Philippine archipelago, say- ing it was entirely a “national affair,” taking all the credit for his company, known as the National. Result: ‘‘Na- tional Affair Dumbrell.” CAPTAIN CAMOLLY, one of our most popular and best-known officers, was well named “Honest John.” 3 CAPTAIN FILMER, like Joseph's coat of many colors, had many names—“Oily George,” “Pass It Down the Line Filmer” and “'Bullets Filmer,” so-called from the impression he was under that on the night of July 31 there. were more bullets fired than in any two battles during the civil war. CAPTAIN M'CREAGH, known as *“Old Hoss,” also as “Terrible Tom,” so called from his desire to cap- ture Malate alone and unaided. 5 CAPTAIN MILLER before the war was known as “‘Cannon-Ball Jack,” now called “Captaln Two Pistols.”” He also joined 5 popularly, ported by almost every German in Apia. German tradesmen openly de- clared both before and after the de- sion they would help Mataafa in ev- ery possible way with guns, ammuni- tion and food, and they did so help him. Th s on Saturday afternoon, and fearing that on the Monday the English man-of-war Porpoise would sa- lute the flag of King Tanu Malietoa, the Germans urged on the Mataafans, with the result that by midday on Sunday the whole of the Malietoa people were campletely shut in the municipality and surrounded by Matnafa warriors. No way of escape was left to them. On the Saturday afternoon the resi- dence of the Chief Justice had. been guarded by a number of loyal troops and 25 bluejackets from the Porpoise, under ‘Lieutenant Guunt.’ The house was barricaded, and preparations it for an attack. All through the the bluejackets stood. to arms until 9 next morning, when it was deemed ad- the letter-writing brigade, and to a well- known paper described how, seeing a breach in the lines, he threw' away his sword, drew his’ “two” pistols (officers usually carry ‘one),:led his company for- ward and drove the enemy back. CAPTAIN ROBERTSON, a“junior cap- tain, popular called” “Rough Rider Rob- ertson.” LIEUTENANT FINLEY has been for several years engaged during his spare hours in developing movements in minor ‘“tactics.” Result: “Tacks Finley."” LIEUTENANT CURZON, familiarly called “Brother Curzon,”’ always on a hunt for “brother” members of his fra- ternal organization. LIEUTENANT GOODELL, popularly known to ‘“the boys” as “Charlie Ross,™ for his unaccountable habit of getting lost every once in a while. LIEUTENANT STURDIVANT, very ‘popular with the ladies, known as ‘“Ado- nis” and “Regular Devil.” LIEUTENANT M'GURREN, the hero of a life-preserving episode in the “China Sea,” known as -‘Teniente Gourdo” (Fat Lieutenant). LIEUTENANT TOBIN, Battlion Adju- tant, another one of the letter-writing bri- gade, and for whom life ts now made mis- erable by the amount of joshing he re- ceives. His description, as publ{shed, of the attack on Manila, was vividly and graphically written, ‘“the dead stacked up like cord wood,” “the whistling of bullets,” “‘the wild and fierce charges that were repulsed,” etc., were all imaginary. He is now Hhailed as “Cordwood Tobin.” All of the juniors have appropriate nick- names given them for peculiarities or po- sitions that they filled. ’Lieutenant Ho- gan is always called “Chief” Hegan, on account of his connection with he Fire Department. He used ‘to get noticg by mail of an alarm of fire that tookK place the day before. & RIVERS OF M was known as “Adam- less Eve,” in memory of a voyage he made to the South Seas. RAMM OF B was termed “Little” Ramm, and was generally imposed upon on account of his good nature. Then thfre was ‘‘Gentleman George’” Petty, e Jim” Hutton, “Silent Jim" Jordan, who was only happy when deliv- ering a lecture in imitation of Major Til- . den’s lecture on the “Peking.” Lieuten- his opinion on the Kkingship of Samoa, building. in ‘the Supreme Court From a Photograph. visible to shift the bluejackets the town (the Chief Justice living about a mile from the beach). It was an anxious night for the Chief Justice' and his family, and no less for Lieutenant Gaunt and his men. One shot fired even by accident, and a horrible tragedy would most likely have to be recorded. Next morning the Chief Justice and his family removed to the Tivoli Hotel, in Apia. and all that Sunday forenoon the whites, with their wives and chil- dren, were pouring into Apia—at least, such of them as had an exact knowl- edge of the situation, leaving their homes and properties to take care of themselves. By middav the rebels had completely hemmed in the loyal party. It was practically 4000 armed men against less than half that number, a great number of whom were unarmed. During Saturday afterneon and Sun- day, the British Consul and Captain Sturdee were seen all over Apia trying to quiet things and prevent fighting. The loyal troops agreed not tg begi hostilities and to keep the peace as long as possible. All their efforts, howeve were unavailing, as the rebels were in force and were only waiting their own time. Thev took possession of Matafele (the western ward), and under instruc- tion ‘and guidance of Herr von Bulow, an _ex-German army officer, and who had appeared for them during the Su- preme Court proceedings, threw up for- tifications along the rhain' road. All this time Von Bulow and the President and German Consul were in consultation, and were constantly to- gether, discussing and advising on the situation. The loyal troops were only about two chains off, and a halt was made. ‘About4 o’clock in the afternoon the King (Tanu) arrived at the Tivoli Hotel, and was immeédiately given ref- uge. A little later, the rebel party, about 500 or 600 strong, charged down the street, the German Consul riding in front of them. - Their point of ohject into -seemed to be the hiding-place of Tanu, but as it happened they luckily were in ignorance of his whereabouts. On the advance of the rebels, those in the Tivoli left that building and retreated to the London Missionary Society’s sta- tion, where some 500.or 600—mostly women and children—had assembled for safety. . ‘When all were at the mission house, it was found that the King had not left the Tivoli; and was"still there. Consul Maxse and Captain Sturdee returned to the hotel, and at great risk succeeded in-getting Tanw and bringing him in safety to the.mission.. All honor to the brave men, and: the Consul and captain are such. Their action was performed in the midst:of ‘an armed rebel force, whose chief object was to obtain posses- sion.of .the-King, and. who in the first flush of -victory would have stopped at 0OOO00000OOO00000000OOGO00'00000OOOOOOOOO00000OOOOOQ}OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NICKNAMES GIVEN THE BOYS OF THE FIGHTING CALIFORNIA REGIMENT. ant Schwerdtfeger, of Company E, the real adjutant of the regiment, christened by himself “O’'Grady’” Schwerdtfeger of the Irish company. LIEUTENANTS MOORE and ' BAL- LINGER, ' popularly ‘krown as “The Twins.” LIEUTENANT NIPPERT, a rustling, bustling, full-of-business officer, called “Canteen Nippert.” BROW of 'F, “Trance Brown.” SPARROWE of G was known as “Close Call Sparrowe.” He belonged to the let- ter-writing brigade; and his sobriquet was earned with his facile pen. LIEUTENANT SWASEY was known as “Sleepy Swasey,” because reveille was never known to have awakened him. LIEUTENANT O'BRIEN was always calied “Peck-a-Boo”” O'Brien, from the fact that he was always looking for some- thing with field glasses. It was never known whether he discovered anything or not. LIEUTENANT ADLER was popularly called “‘Graceful’” Adler, supposedly from his easy and careless way. of carrying himself. LIEUTENANT BROWN of A, the jun- ior, famillarly called *Baby Joe,” is about six feet two inches tall, and weighs 220 pounds. This article would not be complete with- out adding to it the name of the soldier who, by unanimous consent of both offi- cers and men, was entitled to the distinc- tion of being known as the “Best Soldier in the Regiment,” viz., First Sergeant Francis Wdrren of Company H, a former sergeant of cavalry in the regular service, whose discharge pépers, signed by his troop commander, Captain James Parker, recommended him as an officer of vol- unteers or militia. When Captain Capron, universally = called MATAAFA. This is the King who was deposed years #go and exiled. - Through Gesrman influence hie was allowed to return to Samoa on the promise that he woud riot at dny time c'aim the throne. -The rezent war started by him in a contest with the'late King Malietoa’s son, Tanu: nothing to obtain ‘their ‘objeét. ‘Later on the captain and Consul weére .delib- erately fired-at by the rebels, but hap- pily without effect; they both 'had « close call,. though. ‘The mission ho was and grounds were guarded by an armed force-from. ‘thé Porpoise, under Lieutenant unt, and an anxious time that office st have g the two hour: ensued before darkness rebels respected the blue; they ‘were not“yet willing to rush the. . loyal troops, and thus put an- end to. the struggle. While this fighting in.the main street was proceeding a body.:0f Mataafans, about ~ 1000 rong, had taken up a position abeut day at Tanufamandno,.about a and a quartef inland of Apia, on.tha main road across the island, advanoed toward Apia, driving “.before. .them- the Malietoa natives. nightfall this party had ¢ome to about a quarter of a.mile from .-but dar pre- Malifa their rebel comrade: During the afternoon those residents. who live between Tanufamanono and the home of the late R. L. Stevénson were com- y cut off from Apia, and had.the holy privilege of sitting on their verandas, hearing the fighting, seeing the oke of battle ard. burning houseés in the - immediate foreground, and further out the warships lying ‘at anchor in the harbor, and yet unable to communicate or be communicated with. For the safety of the British consu- late a guard had been - posted there early on Sunday morning and the resi- dence barricaded with sandbags, and there Mrs. Maxse, ‘with United- States Consul General Osborn and Mr: Os- born, remained du the fighting. It is stated that during the fighting Mataafa’s party lost thirteen killed and fourteen wounded, and that the. King's party lost four killed and eight wound- ed; but the King's«party was greatly outnumbered and poorly armed. Totally inadequate to beat back the the in rebels, under cover of darkness loyal natives, about 1200, éscaped boats-to the Porpoise. uhder whos they sought shelter: There théy all through the night, under a most d agreeable storm, and the greater part of next dav, when they were taken mostly on board the Porpoise and some 300 on the German ship Falke. Beyond this act -the German captain has absolutely refused to act in con- cert with or aid the British captain to preserve life or property or to stop bloodshed. ~Subsequently these es- capes were delivered up to the Mataafa de facto Government upon conditions agreed upon between the Provisjonal Government of Mataafa and the. three Consuls. . Their arms and ammunition were kept on board the Porpoise. King Tanu and Tamasese (who was to fill the office of vice King) were de- manded by Mataafa of Captain Sturdee, but the denial was emphatic; and they. still remain on the warship.. A humane and. courageous <action of the captain, : and one which redounds to his credis. Malietoa's party -being defeated on board of the warship, negot were opened between the Consuls and the rebels, and by a proclamation of January 4, owing to the urgent neces- sity for the protection of life and prop- erty the Mataafa party, who.are. now in de facto possession of the Samoan- Governmrent, are recognizéd to be the provisional ~government * of .. Sdmoa pending instruction from the "fhree treaty powers, the executive -head .to he the President (Dr. Raffél).: Noth- ing in the proclamation . .shall be taken as modifying .or ab- rogating ~ -the - rights and " priv- ileges of the three treaty powers, either individually or collectively, or of. their consular representatives as now exist- ing. . The first act of this Provisional Gov- ernment was, however, ih--distinct breach of the proclamation and also a. breach of the Berlin treaty, and an in- sult -to the flags of Britain and the - United States. The court by the proclamation of December 22 had been taken under the protection of the United States and of the Rough Riders, enlisted in the army | Great Britain, after an agreemeut fo it was in the troop of which Warren was sergeant. He taught him to ride and the other duties of a cavalryman. When over a year ago Capron received a commission in the army .Warren prophesied that if ever the :occasion offered he would make a name for himself. Little did he think that in a few months Capron would be in Cuba and he.in the Philippines, both fighting in a war against Spain. put it under the protection of the three powers had been made, which agree- ment the German Consul afterward refused to carry out. - - On January 6, by public notice, the Provisional Goverriment made known that the Supreme Court ias closed and Continued on Page Thirty-Twa = A