Already Tamasese and Lotoanuu seemed secondary objectives to the Germans and Apia.

Mullan's message put an end to hesitation.

Laulii was evacuated.

The troops streamed westward by the mountain side, and took up the same day a strong position about Tanungamanono and Mangiangi, some two miles behind Apia, which they threatened with the one hand, while with the other they continued to draw their supplies from the devoted plantations of the German firm.

Laulii, when it was shelled, was empty.