The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-02-19
KLEsN.s STORY.

The report OF Correspondent Klein |
on the actions Of the Germans at sa- !
nsoa is the most discreditable to them
Of any thus far received and made |
public. Such conduct by the repre-
sentatives OF civilized government
has not been witnessed for years. The |
Germans have insolently attempted to
ran affairs as they pleased, and klein's
recital would lead one TO believe that
they had been altogether too success
full. All rules OF international conn
lily and courtesy seem TO have been
discarded, private citizens were ar
rested in most high-handed fashion.
martial Law declared without warrant
and the whole town of Apia aud the
surrounding country thrown into .
state Of uproar by the arbitrary orders
Of the German consul and the officers
Of the German warships.
The disposition by the Germans OF
The old king, Malietoa. was. in the
FIRST place, u high-handed outrage.
and because the people of the island,
except the followers OF Tamasese, are
inclined to that way Of thinking and !
ride with Mataafa, Malietoa's success
sor, martial law has been declared
and several American citizens sub
jected to indignities. The German
consul had the e.lrontery TO proclaim
state OF war for the islands. as he
rays, by the order OF the imperial gov
ornInent; but as Germany was party
to the treaty guaranteeing the indie
pendenoe Of Samoa. she in her repre-
sentative had no more right to say
what should or should not be done
than the representative Of any of the
other powers which had signed the
treaty.
The idea that By Joining in war
between two native factions Germany
could exert her authority TO the ex-
tent Of ordering the search and seizure
Of foreign and neutral ships Is prepos~
ferrous, and equally ridiculous Is the
assumption on her part OF the right To
instruct and direct the Aria police and
terrorixe the citizens OF the town. But
the Germans appear 10 have exercised
an authority which would be war.
rantcd only on the superstition tina,
they had established protecsorasa
ever the islands. They have issued
orders To foreigners which, under or
binary circumstances. would be given
no attention whatever, bat which. ow-
ing to the peculiar condition
OF affairs at the time Klein left.
had To he treated with some
respect. The property II Americans
and English was seized and what was
not taken was denied entry. Ships
were boarded ana guards left in charge
of them. Private Individuals were
hustled around from place to place
and taken m board the German men
of-war and the plan of beating
and haildoxing kept up rs long as pos
nihie,
The government al Berlin disciaims
any idea of having their representa-
tiyes act as they have done. bat Il is
very evident that the whole troghle
from the time Of Malieioa's atsuuetian
has been brought about by the Ger
man Vaccinations. the original plan
being To ent.irone king favorable 10
them. and then establish
prsteetoraie il no opposition was
met from the United States
and England. This opposition lass
been met. but the German agents on
the island. unaware Of our Indignation.
seem to have gone 10 work In accord.
anee with the original plan and ehaye
adopted vigorous methods untsi order.
eli TO desiss by the imperial govern
mens. Their conduct prior to the re
ceirt Of the order was certainly srh..
trary and unjust ali through, ana i
viii douhtleSSly receive a thorough
ventilation at the hands OF the eeafer.
enee.