The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1889-04-09

Consul. simultaneously, IamaSeSe
was proclaimed King by his adher
ents and was duly recognized by the
German agents, while the other con-
suls proclaimed their unwavering
recognition of Malietoa Laupepa.
In May, 1856, the German fleet
under Admiral Kuorr arrived at
Apia, with a fleet of three vessels and
a force of 1900 men. He rebuffed
Malietoa when the latter sued for a
hearing and, together with Consul
Stuebel, charged the poor King with
having broken his treaty and with
having insulted Germany. Proceed
ing along the coast, the admiral dis
played his force, and by speeches
and demonstrations gave every en-
enlargement TO Tamasese, who was
now strongly intrenehed in his fort
at Saluafata. about ten miles west of
Apia.
One resource was left to the
afflicted King an appeal to the
United States Consul. This resulted
in the action of Consul Greepebaum,
who, on the 14th Of May, 1856, hoisted
the American flag over that of Samoa
and issued his famous Proclamation
of Protection. Baffied at every point,
the German admiral hastily with
drew.
Taking heart, Malietoa now de-
termined TO attack the rebels The
Mohican, with Consuls Powell and
Greenebaum. who were in the secret,
proceeded to Saluafata At the crit
ical moment, the German Consul
appeared in a boat Che had been left
behind Intentionally and forestalled
proceedings, since, IN his presence,
no one dared give the word to begin
| the attack.
In May, of this year. the Imperial
/ flag that had been floating over Null
inuu Point for sixteen months was
hauled down, perhaps to conciliate,
but the Germans maintained their
attitude and their vigorous policy.
In July and August the three com
missioners arrived. Mr. George II.
Bates. on the part of the United
States. bIr Travers for Germany
and Mr. Thurston, Governor of Fiji,
for Great Britain. Their reports
brought about the conference at
Washington, but this body effected
nothing, as the representatives could
not agree. German control Of Sa-
moa. under q German mandatary,
could not satisfy American ideas Of
Samoan autonomy. During tenn
porary suspension Of the conference
| came the astonishing news that Ger
many had declared war against Nal
ietoa Laupepa. and later. that he had
been captured and deported. A
great Power had decided the points
| left to arbitration and Germany's
| tool was master OF Samoa.
Tamasese found it difficult to rule,
and German clerk, Bandeis, was
made premier. Taxes were laid.
liabilities were patched up, and
German men-ofwar patrolled the
coast. Everything bore the appear
ance Of q stable government, but the
allegiance of the people was lacking
and the unceasing opposition Of the
British and Americans met every
act OF this government. 4 year of
disaffection, desperation, led the
natives TO the rebellion of last year,
the same that Is now aroUsIng the
sympathies of the American people.
In spite Of German bayonets they
have proclaimed Mataafa King and
! have beaten Tamasese at every point.
At present our Government ad
heres to the situation in 1887, when,
by existing treaties with the three
Powers, MaIietoa Laupepa was king,
when Apia was governed by the
Consular board, and when the Wash
ingtOn conference was so abruptly
terminated. 1t is difficult to predict
what the Berlin Conference may de-
termine, but it Is improbable that
Bismarck will abandon his old policy
The good offices of the United
States have been unavailing, and the
question now before the people is /
the Interpretation of the term good |
offices. It guarantees nothing more |
than friendly interference notwith- /
standing the INSCRIPTIONS conduct |
Of Germany in this tragedy of in |
sular partition. There is q limit to |
our active sympathy for these unfor- !
tunate islanders, for our duty is to |
be measured by the treaty stipula- |
tiOns and not with an eye to the |
acquisition Of the islands themselves. |
Situated as they are, nearly 5000 |
miles from San Francisco and nearly |
1000 miles south Of the equator, |
they are of far less importance to us
than Is any one of the many islands |
in the West Indies-a fact amply |
proved by the history Of the late re
bellion.
Much less is Samoa to be placed |
IN the same category with Hawaii,
the key to the dominion of the Pa
cifc" and truly littoral port of our
western shores. 4 coaling-station at
PangO-PangO is Of little use in time
Of peace and is q great expense, the
last coal taken thence having cost
the Government about eighteen dol
lars g ton. In time Of war it would
be difficult to protect and might per
haps furnish q depot for the enemy.
Absorption. partition, acquisition,
are to-day no less dogmas of Euro
pean potentates than when. a hun
bred years ago, Poland was cut from
the map by a trio OF assassins; and
our Republic cannot yet afford to
Q