Omaha daily bee., 1889-05-21
MATAAFA DESIRES PEACE.
He Wants Admiral Klmb erly to Act
as Arbitrator.
THE THREE NATION SYSTEM.
lie Says It Would BE Useless, and
Wants the United States
to Assume the Protec-
crate Alone.


A Peaceful Programme for Samoa.
tCopHright 1850 bu NciU YOrh Associated Prcss.l
APIA, Samoa (via San Francisco), May L.
Admiral Kimberly received letter from
Mataafa few days after he had issued his
proclamation advising the natives to give up
the war, in which Mataafa expressed his
pleasure at the proclamation and at the
kindness of the United States government,
and said all desire for further war with his
countrymen is ended He declares the war
to be at an end, because he earnestly de-
sires that Samoa should find a state of pros
perity, and also desires to have Admiral
Kimberly act as arbitrator between the
two factions. He expresses the opinion
that Samoa would escape danger
if the United states alone were to protect
and give support to IL without the interior
ence Of any other power. He is sure that a
recurrence of the three nation system would
be useless, as in the past it has resulted in
the country being constantly in foment.
Admiral Kimberly REPLIED expressing his
pleasure that Mataafa was willing to declare
the war at an end. He said Tamasese still
had nothing to say of peace except on condi-
tions of submission. He assured Mataafa
that the efforts of the United States govern
ment in the Berlin conference will be directed
to obtains those points that will advance and
promote the interests of Samoa in every re-
spect, and adjures him to be of good heart,
Admiral Kimberly declined to make the
correspondence between himself and Tama-
sese public, stating it must first go before
the department at Washington.
The German consul, knappe, does not
think Admiral Kimberly's proclamation will
amount to anything.
Herr Stubel the new German representa-
tive, arrived on April IS.
The 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 the Americans had
taken in their cause. He had no desire to
fight Tamasese or the Germans, and would
like to see the United States declare a pro-
tectorate over Samoa. He thought that was
the best way to avoid trouble, as the
natives were continually fighting among
themselves when the consuls of the three
powers had equal authority. Affidavits
Mataafa which have been forwarded to the
state department at Washington in reference
to the December battle, and in which several
native witnesses declare the Germans COM
menced the fighting, killed one of the natives
and wounded another before the Samoans
fired a.shot.
An attack was made week ago by some
Of Tamasese's men upon two of Mataafa's
party who were passing by the camp. Both
men were slightly wounded. A number of
Mataafa's warriors were greatly excited and
wished to attack Tamasese, but were per-
suaded to allow the incident to pass uu-
noticed.
The British man-of-war Rapid, which left
here ten days ago, has returned. Her cap
tain reports he has been to Suwarro, q small
island about four hundred miles east of Sa-
moa. He stated the island was occupied
several years ago by residents of Auckland
for the purpose of raising cocoanuts and that
at the latter's request the Rapid had gone
there raised the British flag and formally
annexed the island as part of the British pos
sessions.