The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-11

population at $4,000. The soil produces all
tropical fruits, plants and vegetables and
on these the Importance of the islands is
The trouble Which now convulses the e Isl Isl.
ands started, 1t might be said, with the adj
vent of its first white settlers. About thir-
ty years ago white settlers began their n
vaslons. The Germans were the first, and
continued to go there in the greatest num-
bers. Englishmen and Americans followed
Godeffroy & Co., firm at Hamburg. Ger
many, opened up cotton plantations in the
vicinity of Apia, and introduced the islands
to the commercial world. The business of
this firm was succeeded by the German
Commercial and Plantation Society. Amer
lean houses opened up competing branches.
Ihe English followed, aud TO secure the
German interests the Germans supplanted
the reigning King and placed in his stead
Iamasese, under whose government it was
expected that favOrs would be shown Ger
man interests. The German government
was interested and the policy of colOniZa-
tion and annexation wasinaugurated many
years ago. The location OF the Islands on
the line between American and Australian
ports made them important points as far as
the United States are concerned, aside from
the business interests of its citizens there:
In 1874 the SamOans asked the United
States to assume a prOtectorate over the
islands. Each island in the group was then
s1;afs g1Syerned by Chief but IL in is.S these
Der, King of the whole group, and A. B.
Steinberger special agent sent to the
islands by President Grant, became his
Prime Minister. Two, years ago the king
was deposed, through German influence,
and Tamasese was installed. In 1879 the
United States had entered into a treaty
with Samoa--the first compact the country
had entered into. This government, in re-
its good offices in behalf of Samoa in any
controversy which might arise with any
other power. A year later similar treaties
We're entered into with Germany and Eng
land. 1t was agreed that the Independence
and neutrality of the islands should be
maintained. MalietOa was recognized as
King III all these treaties. In 1884 Germany
secretly formed another treaty with Mali
'etoa granting more privileges. The Ger
man policy to acquire dominance then be-
came apparent. After the treaty was made
MalietOa sent to the German Emperor pro-
tests against the conduct of German ennis
saries on the islands. These went unheed-
ed, and the SamOans asked to he annexed
to Great Britain. England declined.
Johann Ludwig Brandeis, n bold and
trusted German emisSary, was then sent to
the islands. He held Tamasese in reserve
until he completed arrangements to sup
plant Malietoa, which was done in this
way: Brandeis demanded of Malietoa that
large sum of money be paid the German
government for damages inflicted on Ger
make the payment without any examna-
tion into the alleged damages. Malietoa
asked three days TO consider the demand,
but at the expiration of the first day force
of soldiers was landed from German ship,
Malietoa was deposed, taken prisoner. came
on board and was sent to Germany. Tama-
sese was installed. The natives repudiated
Tamasese and chose Mataafa for King.
Civil strife began, and, notwithstanding
the agreement of neutrality, the Germans
have taken the side of and aided Tamasese.
Several fights occurred between the adher-
ents of the rival claimants, and in some of
these the German soldiers and sailors have
taken part with Tamasese. In an engage
ment Dec. 10, 1880. in which the Germans
took part. they were beaten. One lieuten-
ant and twenty sailors were killed and
thirty men wounded. During the struggle
the Germans attacked United States mar
shall without cause and fired on the Am
erican flags, which hung from several
houses.
Martial law was proclaimed on the
islands on JAM 10, and the following proc
lamatiOn of war was issued:
BY order of the imperial German government,
I herewith proclaim the state OF war for the Sa-
moan ISLANDS. Any assistance to the rebels will
be punished by martial law, irrespective of any
nationality; introduction of contraband goods OF
war is prohibited. All vessels and boats are
liable to be searched by the authorities. The po-
. lice OF Apia hencefOrth will act under instriIc-
ltions from the imperial German government.
Residents of Apa are requested to assist in keep
ING ID" ''0 '''''' Imperial German Consul.
APIA, Jan. 10, 1880.
The next day an American boat was
seized because the owner failed to report it
at the German wharf for inspection.
On the Goth the British vessel LOngfellOw
man soldiers until the captain proved his
papers. The United States vice-cOnsul
then issued proclamation to the effect
that Germany having declared war against
Samoa, Americans were forbidden from
l. taking any part whatever.
Captain Fritz the German commander
on Jan. % had issued an order instructing
all the residents of Apia to turn over all the
/ guns or ammunition held by them, and
proclaimed the right of search Captain
i Mullan, of the American man-Of-war Nip
sic, protested against this action, stating
that the American government had never
recognized Tamasese, and that no power
1 wOnld allow them to seize arms unless used
| acting as police in Apia, attempted to arrest
Klein, the correspondent; on the advice of
| the United States consul he went on board
| the Nipsic.
Consul Knappe. in a conference with Ma
taafa's men, said the declaration of war
extended to the American and the British
residents. who, he said, had given Mataafa
| evil advice. He proposed to patch up
peace with Mataafa, but they demanded
| that the conditions be reduced to writing.
| An armed guard was sent for Klein, who
| was charged with having led Mataafa's
| forces in one of the fights. He was taken
| on board the Nipsic. demand was made
| for his surrender to q German court
martial martial but Captain Mn Mpllar: az OF the Nipsie,
| Klein left the scene of the struggles. The
| accidental destruction of the German coz
| srllate by fire was set down as the work of
| incendiaries The perturbed condition of
| affairs has since continued, and according
| to thelatest reports affairs are eliminating
| III serious trouble.