New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-15
VIEWS OF THE SAMOAN KING, MATAAFA.
NOT HOPEFUL OF MUCH FROM THE BERLIN
CONFERENCE

CONFERENCE.
San Francisco, April 14.-The Associated Press cor.
respondent had an interview with Mataafa and the
principal chiefs prior to the great storm IN regard TO
the proposed conference in Germany. King Mataafa
discussed the matter freely, but answered all inquiries
with great delIberatlon. While he did not seem to
believe that the conference would have any beneficial
results Sc far as the native Samoans were concerned
he expressed strong desire that the American and
British representative might be able TO effect
solution of the present difficulty and restore the former
Samoan Government. and insure peace and pros
perIty 10 the Island Mataafa declares that
he had nothing 10 hope for from Germany; that all
the wars among the natives in Samoa and bloodshed
which had occurred during tho last few months were
due TO German interference, and that German repre-
sentatfves here had made so many misstatemens to
him that be could no longer place any confidence In
their promises or their professcd desire for peace
Mataafa showed the correspondent the original lcter
written TO him by DR.. Knappe the German Consul
after the recent fight between the Germans and the
samoans I'm which letter the Consul addressed Ma
taafa as Your Majesty, the King declared that he
desired that there be no more war between The Cor
mans and Samoa, and made the proposal that samo
ans should rule over things on the islands pertaining to
samoa. and tbat Germany should rule over things
,ortainins 10 foreigners Mataafa did not reply 10
Knappe,s last letter making the proposition for dual
government
At the time this interview was held with Mataafa
the Trenton with Admiral Kimberly aboard, had not
reached Apla and the natives were looking eagerly
to the Admirals arrival Mataafa was asked II ne
expected any assistance from the American Admiral
and he replied promptly that he was looking for
such assistance He did not say that be expected
the Admiral TO act az his ally in making war
upon the Germans; In fact ne dis1
vowed any desire TO carry on the war against
Tamasese's forces His chief desire seemed to be to
bring the strife 10 close quickly as possible, and
TO allow the 5000 warriors now encamped behind the
breastworks 10 return 10 their homes and families ana
resume the peaceful occupations which they folo"ed
before King MaIietoa was carried OIL by the German
forces Mataaa stated that the assistance nc eApecteu
from Admiral Kimberly he believed would come III io
form OF an emphatic protest against any TURNER herman
Interference He believed the Admiral would force the
Germans 10 cease their operations against the ha'oS
and also TO require them to render no more assistance
TO Tamasese, which must thereby bring the war 70
close as Tanasese's forces we're so greatly reuuceu
that without assistance from the Germans tneie ""'
little or nothing TO fear from them.
Mstaafs Is large finely propOrtioned man. anu
Is about fifty years Of age. He is regaruea w wv
white residents OF samoa far superior to MS preue
cessor. His camp Is in high plateau aoou' ni''0
back OF Apla Hls headquarters are near the prnF
cipai entrance 10 the camp, in an ordinary sano@n
house. but lto better than the other structures is
arc scattered around It Mataafa's nag noaIs Iro'"
q star ia front Of the house Long lines OF s.ono
breastworks extend around the camp. ana tne s'cep
ascent to the plateau from the valleys and iowiSnu'
lying around II makes the position suong or. or .n
surrounding country. Tho Associated LtcSs Sv alter
fhe arrival OF Admiral Kimberly. Tho King sam t ~
was the hsppiest dag Of the year for al VI '"0