Wichita eagle., 1889-02-12

which practically gave the whole authority
to the German Consul at Apia. Malietoa,
when he began to realize the import of the
treaty, made formal appeal for its revoca-
ton to Emperor William /. On the ground
that undue pressure had been brought to
bear to make him sign the document The
appeal was not answered. A protest ad-
dressed to Queen Victoria met with the
same result. In 1855 the Germans, dissat-
isfed with the independence displayed by
Malietoa, began to press the claims of a
pretender TO the throne known as Tama-
sese, whom, il August, 1883, they placed
on the throne in a high-handed manner and
in utter disregard Of all the treaties en-
tered into between England, the United
States ana Samoa.
On August 10 a German squadron ar
rived in the harbor of Apia for the purpose
of enforcing reparation for damages done by
some natives TO German plantations and for
On assault on German during quarrel
which took place on the Emperor's birthday
Malietoa asked for four days respite to pro-
cure the amount demanded by the German
Admiral, but the latter declared war i'm
mediately, landed strong force at the
capital and proclaimed Tamasese King of
the islands. Malietoa, frightened out of his
wits, fed precipltately, but was eventually
persuaded to give himself up by the Amer
lean and British Consuls. and was taken at
once on board German vessel aud deport-
ed to New Guiana.
After this outrage followed outrage.
The supporters Of Malietoa rallied under the
leadership of a chief named Mataafa and con-
tested the claim of the German made King.
They attacked the German forces, and last
To- n.
their foes. AT last accounts the ''rebels,"
as they are called, fought under the lead
ership Of an American adventurer named
Klein, who achieved considerable notoriety
in Chicago by being the person in whose
arms Louis Lingg, the condemned An
archist who killed himself by exploding a
dynamite cartridge in his mouth ON the day
preceding that set for his execution,
breathed his last.
The Government of the United States
pocketed many insults before remonstrat-
ing with Germany for its unprecedented
cruelty and sclhshness; but the prospects
now are that Germany must either make
amends 70 Uncle Sam or engage in a war
with that formidable Individual unless the
question is-as it should have been long ago
settled by arbitration.
Malietoa Laupepa, the deposed King of
Samoa, whose portrait appears with this
article, is fifty yearsof age aud man of
mild. irresolute temperament He is the
twenty-third ruler of his dynasty. His sur
name, Laupepa, literally translated, means
eSheet of Paper" and it is well bestowed,
as he is much more of a student and ro-
mancer than a warrior. His dynastic name,
Malietoa, is said to be that of an ancestor
who drove out bold invaders of yore and is
Transferable as "TeA done, fighting cock"
Tamasese, the King made and defended by
tie Germans, is powerfully built man,
good fighter and son of native chef Of
prominence. Whatever settlement may be
made between the American and German
governments, it is safe to assume that he viii
continue to be the ruler of Samoa, as he has
the bulk Of the fighting material Of the
Islands at his back W,