Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-08-04
TROUBLE IN SAMA0.
The New Government in Most Chaotic
State-Another Civil War Feared II
Speedy Action is Not Taken.

APIA, SAMOA, (per Steamer Seal
andia to San Francisco,l Aug. s.
Great dissatisfaction was expressed here
last week by the foreign residents and
loyal natives on receipt of the news by
steamer that England and Germany had
further delayed the appointment
of chief justice and president
Of the municipal board, and that the
matter had been referred to the king OF
Sweden. The new government of Samoa
is but little further advanced than 1t was
two years ago, Notwithstanding the fact
that the Berlin conference concluded its
labors more than year ago and
formed a treaty which King Malietoa
and the other chiefs of Samoa assented
to last February. The only step which
has been taken towards the new order OF
affairs is the recent appointment
of q collector of customs
by the three cousuls sitting as
a consular board, and even this appoint
mept does not give satisfaction, as it is
generally believed that, though the con-
suls have the power TO make the APP
pointment, they have no power to enforce
the payment of duties. A German trading
firm, the largest commercial Organiza-
ton on the island, already pays its du-
ties under protest. The native chiefs
say that in Difference to q request of the
consuls they assented TO the treaty under
a consideration of only twenty-four
hours, and they complain bitterly
that no appointments have been made
since then, and that nothing has ap-
parently been done towards the estab-
lishment of the new government.
Government by the consular board
is regarded here as the most unde-
sirable form OF government that
could be devised. 1t is believed
here that trouble is iminent. Whether
or not this trouble will reach the proper
tions of another civil war similar TO the
one which was experienced two years
ago it is at present. flicult to state, but
the indications are given how that were
manifested before the late war.
II is believed that the trouble at this
time would come from the Mataafa par
ty, which has been gaining in strength
recently, the failure OF any action on
the part of the powers, having tended to
shake tbs faith of many
of Malicious supporters. Mataafa
himself went to Sayaii, the largest Island
of the group, u short time ago, and since
his return 1t has been learned that at
least one-half of the chiefs there are in
his favor. Malietoa's followers are of
course stronger, and in the event of
another war it Is thought
they would be ultimately
| successful. The mere prospect Of any
conflict lie dreaded by all foreign resi-
! dents. Tamasese, who was supported
by the Germans two years ago, is appar-
entity not engaged in any strife, aud he
| is said now to be enlisting the
| sympathy not only of the white
! people, but also of the most intelligent
partisans of Malietsa s party. Unsuccess-
| full oyertures are believed to have been
made to him by Malafao's followers
King Malietoa and his chiefs regard the
situation as SO serious that they have de-
cided to request the three consuls to ap-
point an advisor to the king, and they
| have selected William Blackjack who was
the American consular representative
here during the last war, as the advisor
| whom they desire. It is his intention to
bring the matter before the consular
board in few days. The only man-of-
war at Apia now is the United States
steamer Mohicau. The trade on the
islands is utterly stagnated. The ma
tives have eaten all the coooannts.