The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-17
The Declaration of War Becomes Practically
of No Force, and German Military Occu-
patton of Apia Is Merely Nominal.
Conference Between Leading Paris
Bankers and the Minister of Finance,
The Topic Under Discussion Being Ways and
Means for Saving the Compton d EScOmpte
Twenty Million Francs Wanted.
SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

APIA, Samoa, March 2.-During the past
month the German authorities, both con-
sular and naval, have maintained state or
inactivity. This condition of affairs dates
back to the arrival of the steamer Walnut
with dispatches for the German consul, on
Jan. 90, and is, no doubt, the result of the
orders then received. The declaration OF
a state of war in the Samoan islands seems
to have become a dead letter, while the
military occupation of Apia, which the
declaration of martial law would seem to
have implied, has no existence save In the
maintenance of strong guard at the Ger
man consulate. A guard is still kept at the
American and English consulates,
in view of the fact that there
has been no official retractlon
of these declarations, and of numerous
proclamations with which the town was
flooded, and consequently no settlement
of the matter at issue. The German consul
has made repeated overtures to Mataa1a
looking towards the adjustment OF the
quarrel and the conclusion OF terms or
peace, but the terms proposed always en-
bodied strong German interest In the
future administration of affairs, TO which
Mataafa declares he will, under no circum-
stances, consent. Negotiations have there
fore been of no avail, and the German Off
cials occupy the unenviable position of
men who have deeply compromised them
selves without seeing their way clear TO
retreat consistent with the preservation
of their dignity. Mataafa, in the midst of
his warriors, rests secure in his in
frav, had fto fhn oI
of Admiral Kimberly, having full faith
in the support of the United States. His
picket-lines extend down the coast for a
distance of five miles, close espionage being
maintained on the road leading from Apia
to Lauly and Lutumui. Iamasese, with
his forces, now reduced by desertion to
about six hundred warriors, still occupies
the large fort at Lutumui. A great num-
Der of his former adherents have joined the
standard of Mataafa, or, grown weary of
war, have returned to their own districts.
There has been no collision between the
opposing forces for long time. On Feb. 3
a small detached party of NalietOa's men,
which was reconnoitering in the vicinity
OF the forts, fell i'll with foraging party OF
the enemy, and succeeded in killing one of
Tamasese's greatest leaders and stanchest
supporters, one Solo Futi, ruler from Ma
tauta, in Savay.
On Feb. 2. her Majesty's ship Calliope,
Capt. ID. ): kine,. arrived from New Zea-
land to relieve the Royal, and the latter
sailed for Auckland ON the 4th instant
This change has been a source of untold
satisfaction to the English residents in
Samoa, as well as to their consular repre-
sentative. The censure showered upon
Captain Hand, of the Royal, by the colonial
press, simply voices the indignant feeling
of his cOuntrymen in Samoa, whose in
terests he looked after in a dilatory luke
warm manner. and whose property he an
nOunced himself without authority TO pro-
tect There can be no doubt that the cor
dial feelings and unity of purpose which
characterized the relations between his
predecessor, Commander Pell, of the Wiz
ard, and her T Majesty,s consul; had no ex-
Early in the month, Capt. Fritze made
known the fact that the consular courts
the American and the English-were con-
sidered by him as open for the hearing of
causes, despite his proclamation of martial
law, reserving to himself, however, the adj
ministratiOn of the police under the regu-
lations of Jan. Is. 1888. Thus, by acknowl-
edging the ability of these courts to per-
virtually abrogates the necessity for the
establishment of martial law, and gives
rather farcical aspect to that arbitrary
act on the part of the German commander.
Another fact. proving that Germany
recognizes their original stand to be un-
tenable, is found in the reissue of the
Samoan Times, the English newspaper
which was suspended by the German consul
as dangerous organ. The editor felt the
| pulse of the press censor on Feb. 4, by the
publication of a single sheet extra" and
| on the 9th instant, the regular sheet again.
| The revival of the suppressed paper has
called for no comment from Dr. Knappe the
German consul, which evinced far calmer
| frame of mind than that displayed in his
dictatorial actions of three weeks ago.
On Feb. 5, the steamer Lebeck left this
port for Sydney, carrying with her Bran
dies, the eX-German artillery officer, and
| Premier of Tamesese, who has for so long
| time been the bone of contention in Samoa,
| and who has done much to precipitate the
present crisis. 1t is rumored he has been
| ordered home to explain his conduct in
| lin. On Feb. II the German man-of-war
| Eber, which had been sent to Auckland,
| ostenslbly to communicate with Berlin, re-
| turned to this port. HeE arrival and the
| lthe tenor of which is unknown have
in no wise changed the condi-
tion of affairs. Whether the German
government will endeavor to maintain
the position taken by its officials here. or
| whether 1t has issued instructions TO concur
in such ultimate settlement as Admiral
| Kimberly may propoge, is a mere matter of
conjecture. 1t is known that early in the
present month the United States ships
Trenton and Vandaiia had been ordered TO
Samoa. and had sailed in obedience to their
| instructions. The Vandalia arrived on the
| evening of Feb. %. The arrival of the flag
| ship Trenton was anxiously awaited, as it
| was hoped that Admiral Kimberly's instruc-
| tions will empower him to speedily termi-
| nate the uncertainty as to the outcome of
| the present struggle. Mataafa is firm in
| his belief of ultimately receiving the sup
port of the United States government,
| and he reiterated his determination
to do nothing until the Admiraps arrival,
fully appreciating the fact that in treating
with Germany he must be seconded by the
recognition of right and justice. Tamasese's
force, weakened by desertion, sinks into a
secondary factor, and, indeed, has almost
entirely disappeared from the scene.
The Americans and Englishmen still ac-
cuse the German officials of intercepting z
their mail matter and reading the con-
tents for the information of their
government. The schooner which met the
steamship Alameda at Tutuila and took
on board the mails for Apia, was met by the
German corvette Olga when midway be-
tween Tutuila and Apia and the latter took
all the official and private mail matter,
directing the schooner to return to Tutuila
and meet the Zelandia with mail intended
for the United States. All the mail matter
taken by the Alameda for Apia, therefore,
was first taken on the German man -of-war
before being turned over TO the postofice
in Apia. AS the American mail steamers
do not touch at Apia, American mail mat