The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1888-04-12
news frAul1 samoa.

The New Zealand papers of late date
have received additions4 information re-
speeding the deportation of several of
Malietoa's followers. The chief named
Asst is said to have been deported be-
cause his daughter, a notable beauty,
danced on board an American ship and
declined to trip the light fantastic to the
orders of the German men-O'warsmen.
Another chum named Johnny Upoln
was deported for the alleged reason. that
after returning from visit to Honolulu
he stated that an American warship was
coming to Samoa to see the natives
righted A third chief named Manga of
Tutuila is said to have been deported
because he would not recognize Tama-
sese as King. These chiefs were sent
away in irons in the hold of cutter and
during the hurricane season to an island
some 900 miles away. They have not
been heard of since.
The Germans are reported to be very
anxious to compel all residents of Sa
moa to pay taxes to the de facto Samoan
Government, but British and American
subjects have declined to do so, as they
look upon Tamasese as a usurper. The
Government did not attempt to enforce
the taxes on either English or Ameri
can subjects, but set upon Frenchman
and made an example of him. As the
man declined to pay taxes the property
was offered for sale by public auction.
The English and American residents
collected at the sale, with the view of
putting a stop to it if possible. One of
the Americans wanted to know by
what authority the magistrate sold
the Frenchman's goods, and he was
therefore ordered under arrest. The
rest of the Americans and English
in the room resisted his arrest by block
ing up the doorway, and the magistrates
orders were not carried out. The auc-
the Frenchman's property, worth some
thousands of dollars, was again put up
for auction The Frenchman then en-
tered protest and the auctiOneer said
he would forward it to the Government.
The first article offered was case of
whisky and this realised 1864. That was
the amount required for taxes and the
auction was declared at an end. The
Frenchman, however, did not receive
the balance of his goods, which are still
in possession of the Government.
The English and American residents,
after witnessing the proceedings, thought
it high time to form some society for
mutual protection, and meeting was
held, when the following resolution was
passed: ''This meeting protests against
the illegal action of the de facto Samoan
Government in Selling and attempting
to sell the goods of Mr.. w. j. Laferriere
on Tuesday, February z, 1888, to pay
taxes illegally and improperly imposed,
and further protest against the overbear-
ing and aggressive conduct of Mr. Mar
tin as the representative of the Samoan
Government at the sale and also against
the action OF Mr. Martin in CARRYING
away Laferriere's property to the value
of several hundred dollars to satisfy a
pretended claim of sixty-three dollars"
Those present at the meeting further
formed themselves into committee to
watch over the interests of European
and American residents, and to take
such action as would conduce to the
safety and protection of life, liberty and
property within the municipality.
With respect to the land claim made |
by the Germans, it is believed that if
their present mode of procedure is con-
tinued considerable trouble will arise. |
The mode of action is that whenever any
dispute arises the land is seized by force |
Of arms and held, as in the case of |
Messrs. M'Arthur's property at Apia, |
which has been seized by the Germans
and handed over to the Samoan Govern
nent, although the English flag bad |
been hoisted there. The German Gov |
eminent also took possession of the pilot |
station and hoisted Tamasese's flag, but |
he Commander of the U. s. S. Mohican |
compelled the flag to be lowered The
pilot station is still in the possession of |
he Germans, however, and further de-
7elopments are awaited with interest.