Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-05-22
THE HITCH" AT BERLIN.

1t Is reported tina. there is hitch in
the Berlin conference; that the American
delegates insist upon the return and re-
storation of old King Malietoa, while the
Germans say that their Emperor has
graciously pardoned him and nothing
more should be expected of them. In
deed And what was there to pardon ?
What had Malietoa done? He was The
lawful sovereign chosen by the island
Chiefs. He was recognized as ruler by all
the powers, and Germany herself con-
cluded a treaty of commerce with him in
1879 In 1886 he refused to surrender to
the German Consul certain natives guilty
of technical trespass in crossing the
lands of some Germans. He had the men
tried by his own Courts, and they were
punished. For this the Consul declared
Malietoa in contempt, and Germany held
that the Empire had been insulted. I'M
mediately all sorts of complaints were
trumped up by the Germans against
natives, and to cap the climax the vice
King was induced to rebel. The German
officials hastened to recognize this Tames-
sese, and to salute his flag. Malietoa, con-
fronted by rebel force, backed by a feet
of German gun-boats and cruisers, and
refused protection by laundering Amer.
I'M ntcfr L
lieve that the only way to prevent a civil
war was for him to retire as the prisoner
of Germany, which he did, taking leave
of his people in an address that is one Of
the most touching recitals it has been oul
fortune to read. In the document he dis
tinctly disavowed admitting the claims o
the Germans, the rightfulness of Tames
sese's rebellion, or that he or his people
had In any way wronged tn,
German nation or people, unles
his appeal to the American Gov
eminent to extend its protectorate tn,
islands could be SO construed. He declared
that he yielded himself prisoner solely
to save the blood of his people from bein.
spilled, and his beautiful land from tn,
desolation of war. The Germans there
upon took their prisoner to Germany, an,
from there to Africa, where on the Zanzi
bar coast he sickened and came to the yer,
gates of death. Common humanity de
manded that the poor old man should no
be sacrificed TO the miasma of the lambda
coast, and German ship of war wa
sent to transport him to the Marshal
group, between two and three hundred
| miles distant from Samoa. But It j
significant that he was not removed to tina
place until the people of the United State
began to protest in no unmistakable term
| against the outrageous aggressions of Ger
many in Samoa. 1t has been our deur an,
that the status quo should be restored-tha
involves the return to his home of tn
only man the United States Government
ever recognized as the lawful ruler il
Samoa, until Mataafa, the nephew @
| Malietoa took up the cause of his uncle an,
! opposed the rebel half-caste Tamessese
We should not abate the demand or for
moment concede the right of Germany t
seize and transport the lawful ruler of
country with which we have covenante,
to act as next friend and arbitrator, in cas-
it has disagreement with any other foreigl
power. Unless we are out-generaled a
Berlin, Germany viii be compelled to re
turn Malietoa to his native land, com
| pensate him for his exile and salute hi
flag. 1t is improbable that all this will b
done, though it should be; but at least tn
| old man should be returned from exile T.
the arms Of his people, who entertain 70
him the profoundest regard and tenderes
+, affection, Since the foregoing was put il
type, news has been received justifying tn
| belief that the Washington Government
has instructed our representatives at Ber
| lin to insist upon the re-establishment @
Malietoa in precisely the condition i
which Germany found him when it bega
to plot to overthrow the King and substi
tute for him one Of its plant tools. 1t
to be hoped that this reported insistenc
is true. and that some atonement will thu
be made for the error of the United State
in permitting the deportation of the King