The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1889-04-09

seizure Of q Samoan gun-SchoOner
he greatly alarmed the King and his
chiefs, who fed to the American
Consulate for protection, which was
accorded by Mr.. Griffin and the
American flag.
Following these events came the
notifications in 1878 and 70 of the
Convention between Samoa and the
three great Powers - the United
States, Great Britain. and Germany
events that should have guaran-
teed TO the little nation an ample
and self-sustaining government, but
which have only removed the settling
Of disputes from Apia TO Washing
ton and the courts Of Europe.
Scarcely had the native flag been
saluted and the recognition Of Nal.
Laupepa made complete by the three
eonsuls, when fighting among the
natives began, and before the year
was out q new government was
formed with Nal. Pea as King and
Nal. Laupepa as vice King. During
this trouble the neutrality Of the
district Of Apia was effected by the
three consuls, the result Of which
was TO make life and property safe
within the municipality
In 1880, another change was made,
by which Nal. Talavou, who had
never relinquished his claims, was
anointed King according to the Sa-
moan custom at Mulinuu; and. 10
preclude further trouble. the Con
sular body always the controlling
influence when united). formally
recognized him for life, while to Sc
cure their influence they appointed
his advisers. This King died the
same year. and the succession de
facto Of Nal. Laupepa (who had been
vice-hing) was proclaimed. With
out q rival and with the moral sup
port Of the white residents and the
official recognition Of the cOusuls, he
gained complete control Of the isl
ands. but unfortunately soon fell
under the displeasure Of the German
officials and traders, as he was not
favorable 10 their schemes for land
purchases
From this time the Germans were
bent upon his overthrow, and to Sc
cure it commenced q series Of high
handed measures, which began by
fostering dissension and rebellion.
were continued by d course Of intim-
idation. and at the end of seven years
ended IN his capture and punishment.
Within q month after assisting at
the amounting ceremonies OF Nal.
Laupepa. Mr.. Weber brought for
ward the native chief Tamasese,
leader Of the indictments, and had
him installed as vice-King; thus. for
the year 1882, German interests were
made paramount.
In January, 1888, Bismark's policy
IN Samoa was inaugurated. Mr.
Stuebel. duly commissioned to hold
his land courts. arrived and soon
succeeded 10 the Office OF consul
general. During his term, German
claims were prosecuted with great
vigUr and success and, uOtwithstand-
ing the fact that the three Powers
had renewed the existing treaty
(Convention). the government Of
Malietoa Laupepa was belittled and
ignored. The moral support of the
other consuls went far to sustain the
King and it was always by peaceable
councils-far too peaceable-that he
submitted TO German oppression,
and that he retrained from crushing
the rebellion Of Tamssese which soon
followed
The helpIessness Of Laupepa was
further eyinced by his efforts to Sc
cure aid, protection, annexation
anything, from the British and
American Governments. The issue,
too. might have been avoided if his
government had been stronger, but
be lacked the power both to prevent
depredatiOns committed by his peo-
pie on German plantations, and to
punish offenders, This led to an
agreement by which Weber's strong
house became the national Jail, but
the victims Of German vengeance
not Justice continued to suffer or to
escape. either Of which melted fresh
0utrages.
Threats Of the German officials
soon took shape. In October, 1884.
q fleet arrived the King was made
TO humble himself by apologies to
the naughty consul Under stress
he signed q treaty, and Immediately
it, for only q week pre-
Yi0uSly. he had d second time soil
cited annexation to Great Britain.
Upon this, the British and American
COnsuIs charged the German Consul
General with openly scheming to
overthrow the government, but as an
answer this official evicted the King
from Mulinuu. took possession Of
the land and hOisted there the Ger
man Imperial flag. This flag was
put there ito attach the rights of
Of King Malietoa." but
IN effect It was TO depOse him, and
for sixteen months. 1t waved defiance
10 American friendship for Samoa
and autonomy As Tor England, she
was passive under German assur-
ances and her sanction was made
by the absence Of her war
vessels and by the restraint of her
consular representative. Perhaps
her interests N Tonga or elsewhere
upon this discretion.
One more indignity was the little |
nation yet TO suffer. In January. /
1885. the municipal board held a 4
meeting for the purpose Of provid- +