Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-05-14
TIE SAMOAN SITUATION AND NEWS

The Samoan news Is not of a startling
character, but the advices are not the less
Interesting. The opposing native forces
aave not changed their positions, and the
Germans have not ceased to comfort and
assist the rebels. The chief German Off
cial is actually acting as Tamessese's Treas
urer, and the German officials still recog-
nize the ex-Vice-King as the lawful King,
ignore Mataafa, and treat his claims with
derision. A remarkable fact is recited in
she advices that may give color to the pro-
ceedings of the Commission now sitting in
-Derlin-that is, that the German Consul
General declares that the declaration of
war by Germany against Mataafa is still in
force, and that he has received no orders
to suspend or Withdraw it. 1t is difficult
to understand how Prince Bismarck can
make this fact chime with his declaration
that the home Government had not au-
thorized the declaration of war, and that
orders had been sent disavowing any de-
crees of that character.
On the 18th of April Admiral Kimberly
issued proclamation advising both the
native leaders to abandon the contest, de-
clare an amnesty, and submit to arbitra-
tion or rather to the decision of the Ber-
lin conference. To this proclamation
Mataata returned reply promptly, saying
that he desired peace, and so far as he was
concerned the war was at an end, for he
would not again attack Tamessese, but if
he was assailed he would defend himself.
He accepted the proposition of the Ad-
lniral, but added that he preferred that the
United States would exercise control in
Samoa, "then all would be peace and pros
perity, and the people would labor in the
fields and no more contend;" but against
establishment of the triple rule of the
three powers, Germany, England and the
United States, he protested-that, he be-
heyed, would not be tolerated. Tennessee
on his part rejected the proposal of the
Admiral, but replied that he desired peace
also, and that the way to secure it was for
Mataafa with his 5000 men to walk over to
Tamessese's fort, where he has 800 men
herded, and surrender under the promise
that there should be inflicted no severe
punishment. This amiable proposition
was, of course, say the reporters on the
ground, backed by German instructions,
for the rebel leader distinctly stated to
them that he expected aid as soon as the
new German war ships should arrive, and
then fighting would be renewed
From all this it is clear that German
intrigue in Samoa has not ceased, and that
despite promise and protestation, the
scheme TO gain absolute control of the
Islands is to be continued by Germany.
The dispatches of yesterday stated that
the Berlin conference has agreed upon one
Or more points tina. have heen at issue in
their deliberations. and one Of these agree
uaents is to the effect that the question
who of the native Chiefs shall rule in Sa-
moa shall now be settled By the voice of
the Samoan people, by which We infer that
a popular vote shall be had But such
has been the double dealing of the German
officials in this whole Samoan matter that
40 one win be justified in placing implicit
reliance in the election referred to, if the
German officers in Apia have any exclu-
sive part in the holding of the election
and unless the representatives of the other
powers exercise equal authority in the su-
pervision of the polls. In other words
since il is conceded that under the opera
Snon of free ballot Mataafa will be
chosen by an enormous majority, We do not
believe that Germany has consented to
peaceful submission of the matter, except
there is entertained by her willy politicians
and shrewd commercial agents some
scheme for manipulating the ballot As
the corrupt politician would put it, with
defeat certain under fair ballot and an
honest count. there is but one thing to do
and tb.s - 20 UstaaI fla aIao,;o,,v