St. Paul daily globe., 1889-02-22
GERMANS RULE THE ROOST.
A Consular Letter Showing the
Critical State of Affairs in Sa-


A Consular Letter Showing tho
Critical State OF Affairs in Sa-
moa.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 21.-A consular
letter sent.out from Apia Jan. 80 to tho
different German consulates, and giving
the German version of affairs in Samoa,
is printed in the Honolulu Bulletin
of Feb. II, which reached here
by steamer to-day. Speaking of the
situation On the island the letter
says: 'Nearly all black plantation
men have been driven from their plan
tations by Mataafa's men, Vaitele
plantation alone losing not less than $40
men. Pigs, poultry and horses have
also been driven off by armed bands of
men. On several occasions the dwell
ings of the planters have been robbed
and the inhabitants threatened with
violence. After quoting the order Of
the German Consul Knappe, proclaim
ing the state of war at Samoa, the con-
sular letter continues, the follow
ing being the remaining portion Of
the letter. On account of the
above the foreign residents became
alarmed and wondering what the next
move by the Germans would be. All
the goods brought by the Richmond
were searched by the officers from the
German men-of-war. This action was
rendered necessary from the fact that
on her previous trip the Richmond had
imported $1,000 pounds of ammunition
which were secreted in barrels supposed
to contain salt meat. According to the
proclamation any person giving adj
vice to Mataafa would be liable
to arrest. Consequently the
passengers of the Richmond who
visited Mataafa OH Sunday was taken
charge of by the German authorities
Monday morning, until satisfactory
explanation were given. Colonel De
COetogon, the English consul took eX-
ceptions to the actions of Germans,
and therefore issued the following pro-
elamation:
All British subjects in Samoa are
hereby advised to take notice, that. not
Withstanding the proclamation of the
imperial German consul in Samoa,
dated the 10th inst, proclaiming martial
law, irrespective of nationality. they
are subject solely and entirely to
the Jurisdictions of her majesty, the
queen, and to my authority as
her majesty's consul deputy commits
sioner, and to that of his excellency, the
high commissioner for the Western Pa
cific, and other appointed servants OF
her majesty and to her majesty'S orders
i'm council. / enj0in all British subjects
to observe strict neutrality, and by their
conduct and action to maintain the dig
nifty and honor of Great Britain. Dated
at Apia this2oth day of January.
II. DE CoETLoGoN,
her majesty's consul and deputy com.
missioner for Samoa. The English
residents were highly pleased at the
strong stand taken by their consul.
Their nerves, however, received a
severe shock when Capt. Fritze, of the
Adler, senior naval officer of the Ger
man men-ef-war stationed here, issued
the following notice in writing:
Proclamation has been issued by FL.
de Coetloson, her British majesty's
consul for Samoa, stating that the Brit
ish subjects are solely and entirely
under jurisdiction of her majesty the
queen, and under authority of her
majesty's consul and deputy commits
siOner, notwithstanding the declaration
of martial law in the Samoa islands by
the imperial government. L herewith
declare all British subjects in Samoa
under martial law, and they will be
tried by martial law if they should in
terfere in any way with the German
authorities.
FRITZE, Corvetten Kapitain Und
Commandant S. M. X. K. S. Adler,
Apia, January 20, 1859.
The action of the Germans were
severely criticised by the English and
Americans here. In justification of
their proceedings the Germans give the
following reasons: On the 18th of De-
cember war virtually began with a
battle at Fubaies between the German
sailors and the rebels. This was the
reason that the Samoan islands were
declared IN state of war by the German
authorities. it being absolutely neees-
sary to declare war when war had been
the order of the day for about month.
The effects and rights arising from that
declaration are the same as if deciara-
ton of war had been issued. Martial
law has therefore. with reason, been
proclaimed and all nationaliti IS are sub
iect to it. The English consul issued
another proclamation which bears the
appearance of retraeting somewhat his
previous publication. Mr.. Blackjack,
United States acting consul. took a
sensible view of the state of affairs to
prove which, appended notice speaks
for itself:
Proclamation to all citizens of the
u nlted States: Having Deen INFORMED
by the imperial German consul that
Germany is at war with Mataafa and
his followers, hereby notify you that
you are forbidden to take any part in
the hostile operations on either side.
So long as you remain non-combatants
you are entitled to personal immunity
and protection. Any offense committed
against you or your property is an of
feuse against the laws of war, and
should be promptly reported TO me, so
that the offender, or offenders, may be
brought to justice.
W. .BLACKLocK, United States vice.
consul, Apia (SamOa), Jan. %, 1889.