The morning news., 1889-03-17
INACTIVITY IN SAMOA.
THE GERMAN AUTHCRI HAUL
IN THEIR HORNS.

[San FTancisco Copyright, 1899, By Western
associated Press
APIA, SAMOA, March 3 (per steamship
Zealandia at San Francisco, March l6).-
During the past month the German authori-
ties, both consular and naval, have main
tanned state Of inactivity. This condition
of affairs dates back of the arrival to the
steamer WaiLui with dispatches for the
German consul on Jan. 23, and is no doubt
the result of orders then received.
The declaration of st tie of war in the
Samoan islands seems to have become a
dead letter, while military occupation of
Apia, which the declaration cf martial law
would seem to have implied, has no exist
ence save the maintenance of a strong guard
at the German consulate A guard is still
kept at the American and English con-
sulates.
NO RETRACTIONS.
There has been no official retraction of
these declarations, nor of the numerous
proclamations with which the town was
Hooded, and consequently no settlement of
the matter at issue. The German consul
has made repeated overtures to Mataafa
looking toward an adjustment Of the quar-
rel, and the conclusion of terms of peace,
but the terms proposal always embodied
a strong G rlnan interest ia the future ad-
minis istration Of affairs, t. which Mataafa
declares he will und T no circumstances
consent. The negotiations have therefore
been of no value, and the German officials
occupy the unenviable position of men who
have deeply compromised themselves with
out seeing their way clear to a retreat con
sistent with the preservation Of their dig
nifty.
WAITING FOR KIMBERLY.
Mataafa, in the midst Of his warriors,
rests secure in his entrenched Camp and
awaits the arrival of Admiral Kimberly,
having full faith in the support of toe
United States. HIS picket lines extend
down the coast for distance Of five miles,
close espionage being maintained on the
road leading from Apia to Lauly and
Lutumui. Tamasese, with his for es now
reduced by deserters to about 900 warriors,
still occupies the large fort at Lutumui.
great number of his former adhereuts have
Joined tire standards of Mataafa, or grown
weary of war have returned to their own
districts.
NO RECENT COLLISION.
There has been no collision between the
opposing forces for long time. o. Feb
S a small detached part of Mabetoa men.
which was accommodating in the vici ity of
the fort, fell in with a fordging party of
the enemy and succeeded in killing one of
Tamaseses greatest leaders and sfanchest
supporters, one Solo Futi, ruler from Ma
tanta IN Sava.
ENGLAND's NAVAL SHIP.
Feb. 2 her majesty's ship Calliope, Capt.
Kane, arrived from New Zealand to relieve
the Royal, and the latter sailed for Auck-
land on March 4. This change has been a
source of untold satisfaction to the English
residents in Samoa as well as to their consul
fo aa "a Gb cd
Capt. Hand OF the Royal by the colonial
press simply voices the iudignany feeling of
his countrymen in Samoa, whose inter
est he looked after in a dilatorY and
lukewarm manner, and whose property
he announced himself without authority to
protect. There can be no doubt that the
cordial feelings and unity of purpose which
characterized the relations between his pred
ecessor, Commander Pell of the Wizard,
and her maj astY's consul had no existence
in the case Of Capt. Hand.
CAPT FUTzE HEDGES.
Early in the month Capt. Fritze made
known the fact that the consular courts,
American and English, were considered by
him as open for the hearing of causes de
spite his proclamation Of martial law, re-
serving to himself, however, the admins
ira ion of the police under the regulations
OF Jan. IS, 1888. This, by acknowledging
civil functions undisturbed, virtually abro-
gates the necessity for the establishment Of
martial law, and gives rather a farcical as
pect to that arbitrary act on the part of the
German commander.
REVIVAL OF THE TIMES.
Another fact proving that Germany
recognizes its original stand TO be untenable
is found in the reissue of the Samoan
Times, the English newspaper which was
suspended by the German consul as a dan
gerous organ. The editor felt the pulse Of
the press censor on Feb 4 by the publica-
tion Of a single sheet EXTRA" and on
March 8 the regular sheet appeared again.
The revival Of the suppressed paper has
called forth no comment from Dr. Knappe,
the German consul, who evinced far
clearer frame of mind than that displayed
in his dictatorial actions of three weeks ago.
BRANDIEs DEPARTS.
On Feb the steamer Lebeck left this
port for Sydney, carrying with her Capt
Brandies, an ex-German artillery officer
and premier of Tamasese, who has
for so long a time been a bone Of
contention in Samoa, and who has done
much to precipitate the present crisis 1t
was rumored that he had been ordered
hone to explain his conduct in the Samoan
affair TO the government at Berlin.
On Feb. 12 the German manof-war Eber,
which had been sent 70 Auckland OStenSibly
TO communicate with Berlin, returned to
this port. Her arrival and the dispatches
which she undoubtedly brought the tenor
Of which is unknown have in nowlse
changed the condition Of affairs.
GERMANYs ATTITUDE.
Whether the German government will
endeavor to maintain the position taken by
it's officials here, or whether il has issued in
structions to concur in such ultimate settle
meat as Admiral Kimberly may propose, is
a mere mat or Of conjecture. 1t was known
that tho United States steamer Trenton
and Vandalia had been ordered to Samoa
aud had sailed in obedience to instructions.
The Vandalia arrived On the evening Of
Feb. 23 The arrival OF the flag
ship Trenton was anxiously awaited
as it was hoped that Admiral Kim
bery's instructions will empower him
TO speedily terminate the uncertainty as 10
the outcome Of the present struggle.
Mataafa il firm IN his belief Of ultimately
receiving the support Of the United sta. es
government, and has reiterated his determi-
nation to d. nothing until tho admirals
arrival, fully approaching the fact that in
treating with Germany he must bo seconded
by a patron, whose power can compel
proper recognition Of right and justice.
Tamasese'5 ( rec, weakened by desertion,
sinks iuto a secondary factor, and indeed
has almost entirely disappeared from the
scene.