The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-04-15

Pm not able to answer that"
of Malietoa's family, and at the time
he was deposed by the Germans was his
principal chief. Just before he surrendered
to the German commander he handed over
his office to me and left the administration
Of affairs in my hands. He appointed me
his successor in every effect, and my people
afterward confirmed the appointment and
| now hold my office not only by virtue of
Malietoa's action, but also by the votes
of majority of the Samoan people.
In view of the fact that Malietoa
resigned his Office in my favor
he would not necessarily become king again
In case he returned TO his native land. Ma
hetoa and myself would have to determine
between ourselves who should be king, and
if he should return here we would at once
hold conference for that purpose. feel
sure that there would be no serious contro-
versy between us" American and
English residents who have lived
in Samoa great number Of
years, and who are familiar with the his
tory OF the country, appear to agree in the
belief that If Malietoa returns he will
| make no effort to resume his former power,
but will resign all claim of authority in
| favor of Mataafa and acknowledge him as
King of Samoa.
MUST THRILL EVERY TRUE AMERICAN.
SAN Francisco, April 14.-The Chr oai-
Gle, commenting on the details of the
wreck of the American and German war
! ships at Apia, says:
This account settles all doubts in regard
| to the responsibility of the disaster. 1t
| proves that the American and German
| commanders did everything that good sea-
manship could do to save their yes
| sells, and that the escape of the British
ship Calliope was owing to the great
| strength OF her engines. The American
| officers proved their claim to superior sea-
| manship, and the saving OF the crews of the
| Trenton and Nipsic was due to the skillful
handling of those vessels. Mr.. Dunning,
| the special correspondent of the Associated
Press, had the rare good fortune TO be the
| only newspaper man who witnessed the
disaster. His account is a superblY realistic
| picture of the scenes of herolsm
| ana suffering that are without parallel in
recent years. The story of the fruitless
attempt Of the war vessels to escape is full
| of pathetic features, and we think no
American can read without emotion the
| thrilling episode of the crews of the Tren-
| ton and Vandalia cheering eacn other, and
Of the band Of the Trenton striking up
The Star Spangled Banner" as the ship
swept on toward certain death.
HOW NAVAL OFFICERS LOOK AT IT.
WASHINGTON, April 14-The long and
graphic report of the disaster at Samoa
was read with great deal Of interest here.
Naval officers generally were of the opinion
| this evening that no blame could be at
tached to any one for the loss of the ships
| and lives. They were not in
clined to hazard any decided
| opinion in regard to the handling
of the various vessels Commodore Wal
| ker, chief of the bureau Of navigation,
| and Assistant Secretary OF the Navy, prob
ably voiced the general feeling when he
said to an Associated Press reporter to-
night: "Any man who gives an opinion
is simply guessing. We do not know just
how matters stand and it would
| be merely guess work to say
what might have been done. 1t is impoSsi-
bic to tell much about it. There were some
| fine men, excellent officers, on the ships,
and we know that the vessels were lost.
Admiral Kimberly is splendid officer and
| fine man and captain. Farquahar, Com
mander Mullan and Capt. Schoonmaker of
| the Vandalia, who lost his life, are all ex-
cellent officers. They doubtless did all they
could. | think probably there is no blame
| to be attached to any one"