The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-02-16

possession of Samoa. Tamaseso, OF couroe,
was under the influence OF Germany The pre-
liminaries in this schqne were adrotly man.
The German plot eliminated about the mid.
Ole OF 1881 The German consul had demanded
that Malieton should pay large sum OF money
legged to have been inflicted vn German citizens
In the islands by natives. Only one day was
given the King In which to pay over the money.
The story OF the damages pretended TO have
been inflicted on Germans is believed TO have
been either false or extravaganS; NO details
wore given or items furnished. The allowance
OF but one day In which to pay over the money
without even tho preliminary proceedings OF an
examination into tho case before tribunal OF
any sort, was extraordinary, and clearly re-.
promised to submit an answer TO tho demand
in three days. The Germans did not wait, but
force o Soldiers @ aG landed rom feet Of
war ships which had just arrived in Apia, and
Malctoa was deposed and Tamasese was put in
power. Malietoa was carried as u prisoner to
Germany, and has recently been conveyed to
Australia on o German vessel and is now O
prisoner in the Marshall Islands.
At this juncture the troubles began in earnest
In Samoa. The natives ropudiated Tamesese,
whom the Germans put in power, and chose
Mataafa one of their ublest and most popular
chiefs, as King The formalties OF the corona
tfon were gone through with in September 1883,
at which time notices were sent to Tamuseso
and the representatives OF the three nations in
terested In the islands that Mataafa was the
Ever since Malieton was deposed there has
been civil strife in Samoa, the Germans taking
the side OF their creature Tamasese, behind
whom stands Brandeis, and the American and
British favoring Mataafa, the King whom tho
natives have CHOSEN. Several fights have oc-
CURED between the adherents of the rival
monarchs, in some OF which German sailors and
soldiers have taken part In aid of Tamusese.
The severest battle which has yet taken place,
SO far as recorded, occurred on December lS,
1883, In which German sailors participated. In
that affair the Germans were beaten, and one
Lieutenant and twenty sailors killed and thirty
wounded During the combat United States
Marshal was attacked without cause by the
Germans and wounded, the American fay was
fired on and torn down from several houses on
which it was displayed, and the American no.
tion wantonly insulted,
In the diplomatic correspondence which has
taken p ace in the last year or two between the
United States, through Secretary Bayard, and
Germany, through Bismarck, and his son,
Count Herbert Bismarck. Germany hos repeat
edly declared that IL does not seek to acquire
any influence in Samoa beyond that accorded
the other treaty nations. At the conferences In
Washington in 1887, between the representa-.
tives Of the United States, Great Britain and
similar declaration. But the worthlessness OF
German promises nnd protestations has been
proven by the fact that Mt the very time the
conference named was in session King Mnlietoa
was deposed by Germany and Tamasese, Ger
manys tool. set up in his stead.
There is but single war ship of the United
States ut Samoa now. This is the Nipsic.
Secretary Whitney, however, has dispatched d
three others, all of which will be in charge of
Admiral Kimberly. and by the beginning of
March there will be q strong fleet in Samoan
waters, the commander OF which has been in
structed to protest against subiugaion OF the
Government OF the islands by Germany, and to
protect American interests in that region.