The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1889-11-21

understand the position he in future
intended to assume. Many Savaii
chiefs, who are fast supporters of |
Malietoa, have repeatedly endeav-
ored to induce him to resume his |
power. To all this the late king
patiently listened for nearly two
months, until he made himself
acquainted with all that had trans
pired during his absence from Sa-
moa, and the conduct of Mataafa as
a guide and ruler of his people dur
ing the late unprecedented war and
troubles. Malietoa then determined
to pass over to Mataafa, for time
at least, the governing of Samoa
and this great Fono was held for the
purpose of hearing Malietoa's deter
mination to transfer his authority to
Mataafa. Many of our foreign resi-
dents appear to think that the
change was premature, and that the
natives should have waited until
some instructions had been received
from the three Powers with refer
ence to the appointment of king,
and that the whole business will
have to be gone through again as
soon as such instructions arrive.
Tamasese or his followers, although
in a considerable minority, about
one-ffth of the people, have a per
feet right to a voice in the choice OF
their future ruler, more especially IN
the present instance, when the
chosen king will be permanently
supported by three of the greatest
nations in the world; and in all
future attempts by any section Of
the natives of the islands against
the kings authority or that of his
government, these nations will as
sist the king, if necessary, in crush
ing any such rebellion. The natives
themselves seem to be convinced
that such course will be pursued
should any future outbreak take
place and this knowledge will most
likely have the effect of preventing
these petty party disturbances which
have been the curse of all islands OF
the South seas, and more especially
Samoa. The future King of Samoa
will for some years at least have to
be guided in the forming and con-
Quoting of stable government suit
able to the requirements of Samoa
in the position she is destined IN the
near future to assume in her com
mercial relations with the great
world outside. The United States,
Germany and England have taken
Samoa in hand, and it is the inpera-
tive duty of those nations to be most
careful in the appointment of com
petent representatives gentlemen
who have had some experience of
native character in the South Sea
islands-to frame ordinances suit
able to ensure the prosperity of the
inhabitants of the islands, both ma
tive and foreign, in such substan-
tial state that it will be utterly i'm
possible for any serious outbreak to
again occur. On those grounds it is
highly desirable that all natives,
whether they be followers of Tama-
sese or Malietoa, should have an
equal voice in the choice of their
king, and hereafter they will have
no reasonable grounds for opposing
his authority. We must now look
upon the late native meeting as
representing only the followers of
Malietoa party, who, even if they
are in majority of four.ffths of the
islands, should not prevent the
other fifth an opportunity to speak
on matter of such vital import
ance. AS far as the foreign residents
of Samoa are concerned, it is a mat
of no difference to them whether
Malietoa or Mataafa will be the
future King of Samoa; either would
be acceptable. Let the natives set
tie that matter themselves in what
manner they please. Only let all
parties have voice in proclaiming
their future king.