The Delta independent., 1889-02-19
The Trouble in Samoa,
to.EE-poNDENCr.

CORRESPONDENCE.
The voyage to Australia may be said to be
broken into three almost equal stages by two
groups of islands, the frs, being the Hawayas
forming the eud OF The .:st stage and the see
ou the Samoan or Navigators group forming
the end of the second stage.
Apia which has been the scene of all tn,
trouble is upon the island of Upolm, the Sec
onh largest of the group; and on beautiful
harbor of the same name.
The natives of these isles are represented as
possessing some considerable degree of civil.
zation and mellow, liquid language. Their
s,iI is fertile aud yields abundantly wherever
cultivated and the forests are extremely valu.
Rble.
Germany, in pursuance of her colonial
policy, has acquired much land which is con-
trolIed by the German Trading Co. of which
RiSmark in said to own the controlling inter,
est. 1t cannot be denied that the Germans
have the preponderating influence although
in population the English exceed them.
But this is out the question. In 1875 the
United States executed a treaty with Samoa
in which it was stipulated in consideration of
the cession OF the part of Pago- Pago for coal
ing station that in the event of Samoa being
nt varience with any power with whom the
United States were in amity we should use
our friendly offices to settle the dispute. The
treaty also provided tina, any privileges grant
Ell to other powers should be enjoyed by
this country. Snmoa subsequently made
treaties with England ana Germany. The
Samoan islands are not included in the de-
Limitation treaty by which England aud Ger
many divide Polynesia between them and
agree no, to interfere with what thc other has
stolen.
At the time of Germany's first aggression
Tan,asese WAS i'll rebellion against Maletoa
lawful king. This rebellion Mnlle;oa coull
easily have suppressed but acting on the
counsel of the English and American consuls
did not do. At this point three German YES,
sells of war arrived which gave no salute or
other token of respect to the Samoan flag but
dropping their anchors commiteda n number OF
outrages, among others that of hauling down
the Samoan flag. They also established conf
mnnica,ion with the rebel camp sailing down
the coast tor that purpose. They returned
and there can be no Doubt they intended to
depose Malletoa aud create Tamasese king
although the latter was not even next here
ditary chief. Malletoa acting under counsel
and relying on the clause of the treaty with
as have referred to surrendered his flag to
Mr.. Greenbaum the then American consul
and it was then hoisted under our flag thereby
placing the Islands under our protection.
Mr.. Bayara hastened TO annul this action in
establishing an American protectorate and the
three treaty powers convened in Washington
in the early part of 1887 aud atlempsd to
come to an an,icable agreement. Failing in
this the convention adjourned until the fall.
Meantime and while this convention was in
progress four German men.cf-war arrived at
Apia and demanded of the king restitution
and an abject apology for outrages alleged to
have been committed against Germans. All
Of the outra;es alleged to have been COM
mitted were prior to the convention then pro-
gressing In Washington and should have come
before that body which they did not. Mulle-
tos demanded time to copsul; his people
which was refused and war declared the next
day. Nalletoa fled but fearing his people
might be killed, surrendered HIMSELF was
conveyed away on one of the war ships and is
now supposed to be in Berlin. The Germans
then declared Tamasese king.
In the fall the convention xgain met in
Washington but our government being unable
to sccede to German demands was finally dis.
solved, no agreement having been reached.
Mataafa next hereditary chief to Mslletoa
had in the meanwhile rcbclled and everywhere
Tepnlsed Tamasese and the Germans in aiding
their ally had sustained severe loss. The
Germans had placed Apia under nartul-law
including in this all foreigners French, Amer
lean and English besides it is alleged insult.
ing the American flag.
We demand the restoration of Malletoa and
an agreement whereby the Independence Of
Samoa shall be secured.
The Germans have exempted foreigners
from martial Law and Mr.. Eayard has agreed
to reopen the convention the delegates sitting
IN Berlin.