The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-03
THE S.iMOfN ISLANDS.
bteInberger's New Kingdom How the Fraud
Goes On.

Fran, me san Fr4n.s.o cAronics
The latest news from the samoan Islands
L. interesting hn' somewh hat mixed. The read
ers Of the CboAcl, have already had the facts
I'm regard to the election u native king aud
tnat of his premier Col. Stenherger. Those in
favor Of the king and his premier speak of IL as
tory Of the Samoaus while the white men pro-
nounce the new Government swndle.
They say that formerly the saUoans would not
have king, and that II any Of their chiefs AFRO
gated to min self that title, all the other chiefs
made war against him. The natives Of the Si-
moan Islands have always been more republican
than any others in the island groups Of the
Pacific. While the Hawaiian baroariaDs have
their King kalakua; the Society Islands savages
their Queen Pomare the Friendly islands shark
eaters their kIng George, and the canniDal
Fijians their King Ihakambau, the Samoans
never allow any Of their chiefs TO assume the
Premier Steinbercer has the credit Of conduct
lug himself n obesity SO far. Up to July the
full corps OF Government officers had not been
named, But the asslstant premier was known
formerly a grocer on Market street, and a gem
llenan who left number OF creditors to mourn
his loss. The appointment OF Waters as assist
ant premier gave great offence to the very few
decent Americans at Apia, but II WAS said 10 be
the test that could be secured from the Office
seeking portion Of the whites. Another unpop-
ular act was the leyying of a tax Of ten dollars
per month on saloon keepers. but the virtuous
and upright element sustained IL. II was thought
also that restrictions would be put upon COM
merce, but AHA SO far as now known, Is to be
free port. ouy single exception. that Of a
heavy tax ON strong spirits Of every kind. IL
was not definitely settled as to how the kingdom
would secure revenues to support itself, but the
statesmen and philosophers of his Majesty were
hard al WORK TO sol We the problem. The weather
was so exceedingly warm that even the most
gigantic minds Of the kingdom had TO take a
rest from their arduous Official labors.
The report spread abroad that some person or
persons In Apia had DENOUNCED Col. Steinherger
as nibuster ana fraud could ne traced 10
no reliable source. A notice containing such
grave accusations was posted on the trees, but
the detectives of Apa, in the service OF the
Premier and the King, were unable TO get at the
Rhoul who thus Extensively attacked the nobles
considerable animOsity exhibited toward United
States Consul Foster, a late arriva, there. The
late Consul, j. NJ Coe, mas been a resident Of
Apa for over quarter OF a century, and was
United States representative for over ten years
He had married native woman, and by her
reared large family. Coe was popular with the
natives, and well liked by foreigners generally.
~ AN old settler II was thought the ofice OF
consul was a life perquisite for him, but the
namoans VIII have 70 learn something about the
rotation Of ONCE, which IL one Of the great
dressings OF clfllizGtlOn. Consul Foster had
committed no act 81 indiscretlon other than
procuring the once Capt Coe is now acting as
aIilnt Tor tAe port ~ Apis.
The whole trade Of Simoa has been for years
IN the hands OF the Germans. or. to he more
particular, was controlled by the house OF Peter
GOdefroy Sons Of Hamburg. Gpdefroy D6s
Is the Aston OF that part Of the south Seas.
When 1t was dangerous fcr white men TO 90
there, lie armed and equipped vessei-a man
every direction. He spent millions and made
millions, SO the saying Is, Ia the South Seas
Inc nrm Is now making a desperate EFFORT Ia
control the commerce Of lahiti and the Society
Islands This house has new and formidable
rival IN the new hamburg nTm OF huge 4 Hede,
man laiely established at Asia. The CONNER
Clh relations OF Americana with Apa are
scarcely worth speaking of. Only three or fouI
smaiI schooners make occasional trips between
eau Francisco ana that port. @he only American
.Eeo WIN sny proprioty can DO called mer