Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-08-04
Great Dissatisfaction Among the Native
and Foreign Residents.


and Foreign Residents.
Correspondence of the Associated Press
APIA (Ssmos), July 18th (per steamer
Xealander 10 San FrauciscO).-Grest dis
satisfaction was expressed here last week
both by the foreign residents and the loyal
natives, on the receipt of news by the
steamer from New Zealand that America,
England and Germany had further delayed
the appointment of a 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 little
further advanced than il was two years ago,
notwithstanding the fact tha. the Berlin
conference concluded its labors more than
year ago, and formed treaty which Ma
lietos and the Chiefs of Samoa assented 10
last February. The only step which has
been taken towards the new order of affairs
is the recent appointment of a Collector of
Customs by the three Consuls, sitting as a
consular board, aod even this appointment
has not given satisfaction. as it is generally
believed that, though the Consals have
power to make the appointment, they have
no power to en- force the payment of duties.
A German trading firm, the largest COM
mercial organization on the islands, al
ready pays its duties under protest. The
native chiefs say that, in Difference TO the
request of the Consuls, they assented To
they treaty after a consideration of tS enty-
four hours, thus breaking through all their
traditions of taking time over such an inn
poriant event, and they complain bitterly
that no appointments have been made
since then, and that nothing has sppar-
emily been done toward establishing the
new Government.
Government by the Consular Board is
regarded here as the most undesirable form
that could be devised. 1t has always re-
suited in failnre, and it is considered
strange that the American Government
should allow it TO continue, owing 10 the
very general belief here of al Eng
lish and German alliance in Samoan mat
ters.
Owing 10 the present unsettled condition
OF atfairs in Samoa, and the apparently
slight probability of any immediate action
on the part of the Powers, it is believed
here that trouble is imminent. Whether
or not the trouble will reach the proper
tions OF another civil war, similar TO the
one experienced two years ago. II is at
present difficult to state, but the same in
dieations are given now that were mani
fested before the last war. 1t is believed
that trouble at this time would come from
the Mataafa party, which has been gaining
|
ton on the part of the three Powers hay
ing tended to shake the faith of many of
Malietoa's supporters.
Mataafa himself, went to Savaii the
largest island of the group short time
ago, and since his return it has been
learned that at least one.h half of the Chiefs
there are in his favor Malietoa's follow
ers are, of course, the stronger, and in the
event of another war it is thought they
would be ultimately successful. But the
mere prospect Of another conflict is dreaded
by all the foreign residents.
Tamasese who was supported by the
Germans two years ago, is apparently not
engaged in any strife, and he is said to be
eDIisting the sympathy not Culy OF the
white population, bat also of the most in
| telligent portion Cf Male oa' s party. Un-
successful overtures are believed to have
| been made TO bim by Malietoa's followers.
King Malietoa and his chiefs regard the
situation as SO serious that they have de-
cided to request the three Consuls 10 ap-
point an adviser to the King, and they
nave selected William Blackjack. who was
the American Consular representative here
during The last war, as the adviser whom
they desire. II is their intention to bring
the matter before the Consular Board IN a
few days.
The only man of war at Apia now is the
United States steamship Mohican. A Ger
man ship will probably be here soon, but
information has been received that 10 Eng
lish war vessel need be expected fo- some
time.
Trade on toe islands is utterly stagnant-
The natives have eaten nearly all the
cocoanuts and the copra crop, which IS the
chief resource of the country, is likely to
prove q failure.