New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-10-04
TIE SAMOAN KINGDOM.
COLONEL sTEINBERGEB's ACCOUNT OF TIE EFFORTS
MADE TO CONTROL IT.

COLONEL SlLlNBLRrik : ACCOUNT OF tlit LfiDfiS
MADE TO CONTROL IT.
Among the twenty cabin passengers that
arrived at this port. yesterday, the steamship
Ameriaue. from Hayre, WIS Colonel sieinberser the
Premier Of the Kingdom of Samoa. Under his care was
Mrs. Hiram CrausiOn widow OF he late proprietor OF
the Ncw-York Hotel Ia conversation with TEiBuEE
reporter, Colon 5oinberger gave the following story
OF LIS actions while resident ga the Samoan Islands:
"In 1879" he said, n first went TO the sauc go
Islands rs Commissioner OF TIE United states 10 cu-
waite friendly relations with the nltiye chiefs. 81
al eror object being 10 secure their harhor Tor the henti
OF OF rae }mGa 1 i Rsrcaan5 marine ga ' na' 'O WAS
Under nv first INSTRUCTIONS 10 exemino the islands
went there pilot boat Of 0ry-tivc tons, fr" 80
Francisco aud found nine Islands, win the hest hg bpts
m the world Tho Great Eastern could enter with
sgtety. On ny second WISH. iu 1879, when King David
lakua returned 20 his islands Went 10 Samo' on the
TusclrOra, American vessel with $4,000 worth
Of presents nom the Government OF the United states 10
the native chefs The Tdscaroru returned, filled with
cur ties and products OF tie country which are now IN
the Smithsonian lnsi ute. Nv directions 20 show
the natives that their ports % tie United
sty OF ne trade witt San francisco During ali my WORK
never received a penny from the Samoan Government
"On 10y second ARRIVAL" Colonel steinberger ccntln-
ucd. 90 met an OF the native chcitaiu council Ihey
had been enhIoed III c'il wars, ana wanted TO ehrct
consolidation OF their Governments drew mp consti-
tuition, similar TO That OF the Hawaiian Islands; dual
Government one family refining four years aud another
family OF tie opposing faction 70 nominate the success
created Iariament, and from the two rival fac
native Government. began system Of ruad-buling
sclOOs ana colhcu tnt people III
Euro can Dire
"rhr first trouble was in December 1873" the speaker
SAID, when the new Government had been acting To thr
satisfaction of all The country then a. peace, ana
all tribal euis had b, en- hushed. II any frud 0ccurr
which the department clcS we're unable 20 SETTLE thet
referred 10 me, Premier, aud decision
accepted as tiua by al. Meanwhile. the Protestant Ms
had the joe Island story OF the work
going on, aud the Brush vessel Barracuda
Captain Charles T. Stevens, to tie port
OF Apia. sent un boat arrange for
sautes, and To invite the Captain shore
to dinner. NV chief Oi staff insucd ard returned
The next day invitation sent to the King, who
The King showed Inc the letter and dictated the
swer, accepting IT, The King decided go in his royal
yacht, but the Parliament, VINO knew something wrong
going on, met ant decided that he should not 60
Tue ddy Captain stevens came ashore, visited the
KING and wanted 10 know what those Americans were
the island H. tlen said that he wanted TO WISH
the Parliament and demanded guard Of honor.
made b. Captain stevens to chefs place the island
under British protection. TAcY declined. The next
nIgnt my yacht Peerless taXen by his from
her mUOrings tOwcd alongside tIe Barracuda, dlsnan
tei the salute gln. pr.5ent from the United states
Government to the Empire, removed, and the vessel run
tuc reef and wrecked. on the following Gay |
seized M my house BY the English blue iIckes' ana
conveyed Oh board the British ship, and confined IN
house on deck, with the thermometer
l20'. | furnished with order, saying
that If ! attempted 10 hold communication
with the shore would Do shot taken to LeyuAu,
Fegee Islands, and tnen 20 Auckland New allnd. The
officers OF the snip protested against Imprisonment
Oh board. and fu.lly had me placed in their iess.
arrived IN southampton in September last, and have
been IN London and Paris. am going to Wdshmg-
ton Insist mat Congress sIHil investigate all OF
tons, and alter that shiil return 70 samoa.