The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-05-21
SAMOAN NEWS.
Mataafa Anxious That All HostiIities
should Cease immediately.


should Cease Immediately
Copyr ights d. lsse, by the " J. Associated Press.
APIA, Samoa. May l, via san Francisco.
Admiral Kimberly received letter from
Mstasfa few days after he had issued his
proclamation advising the natives to give
up war, in which Mataafa expressed his
pleasure at the proclamation, and at the
kindness of the United States government,
and said the desire for further war with
their countrymen is ended He declares
the war to be at an end, because he earnest
lY desires that Samoa should find a state of
prosperity and also desires to have Ad-
miral Kimberly act as arbitrator between
the two factions. He expressed the opin-
ion that Samoa would escape danger if the
United States alone were to protect and
give support 10 il, without the interference
of any other power. He is sure that re-
currence of the three nation system would
be useless. as in the past il has resulted in
the country being constantly in a foment,
many lives lost and the affairs of the peo-
pie brought veryiox.
Admiral Kimberly replied expressing his
pleasure that Mataafa was willing to de-
clare the war at an end. He said Tsma-
sese still had nothing TO say of peace, ex-
cept on conditions of Submission. He as
sured Mataafa that the efforts of the United
States government in the Berlin conference
will be directed to obtain those points that
will advance and promote the interests of
Samoa in every respect and adjures
him to be of good heart. Admir-
al Kimberly declines to have the
correspondence between himself and
Tamasese made public, stating it must
first go before the department at Washing
ton. The German consul, Col. knappe,
does not think Admiral Kimberly's pro-
clamatiun will amount TO anything.
lnrr lsal ha Axrf m
ative, arrived April IS An Associated
Press correspondent had an interview a
few days ago with Mataafa, in which the
latter said his people felt very grateful for
the interest Americans had taken in their
cause. He had no desire TO fight Tamas-
ese or the Germans and would like TO see
the United States declare a prOtectorate
over Samoa. He thought that was the best
way to avoid trouble, as the natives were
continually fight among themselves, when
the consuls OF the three powers had equal
authority. Affidavits have been prepared
under the direction of Mataafa which have
been forwarded 10 the state department at
Washington, in reference to the December
battle, and in which several native wit
nesses declare the Germans commenced
the fighting, killing one native and wound
ing another before the Samoans had fired q
shot
An attack was made a week ago by some
of Tamasese's men upon two of Mataafas
party, who were passing by the camp.
Both men were slightly wounded. A num-
ber of Mataafa's warriors were greatly ex-
cited and wished to attack Tamasese, but
were persuaded to allow the incident to
pass unnoticed.
The British man-ofwsr Rapid, which
left here ten days ago, has returned. Her
captain reports he has been TO Suwarr0w,
small island about 400 miles east of
Samoa He said the island was occupied
several years ago by a resident of Auck-
land for the purpose of raising cocosnuts,
ant that at the latter's request the Rapid
had gone there, raised the British flag and
formally annexed that island as a part of
the British possessions.