The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-11-27
UNHAPPY SAMOA.
In Her Multiplicity of Council
There Is Much Danger.
Mataafa's Men Aiming for strife-The Benefit
of Taxation Not Realized-The Samoan
Times on Cedercrantz.

The steamer Mariposa, which arrived In
port yesterday from Australia, via Honolulu,
brought among her passengers II. c. Ide,
formerly United States Land Co mmissioner
at Samoa. In conversation with the gentle
man it was learned that while affairs at
Samoa are quiet at the present time, there
is likely to be difficulty there before great
while unless there is decided change. 1t
seems that Mataafa is jealous of Malietoa as
King, and he is creating feeling among
his own followers that does not warrant
peace.
TAXES CREATE DISSATISFACTION.
The principal point said to be the cause of
the discussions is due to the heavy taxation
on the people, for which Chief Justice
Cedercrantz is said to be partly responsible.
In spite Of the difficulty of getting the
natives to realize the blessings of ciyiiza-
ton, especially when they came in the form
Of taxation, he imposed a copitation tax on
the population, and certain other taxes,
which realized altogether about So, 900.
This point has been used by Mataafa, and
he has succeeded very well SO far in causing
dissensi0ns, in view of the fact that the
Chief Justice is on friendly terms with
Malietaa.
Mr.. Ide would not say that war was likely
to be declared between the followers of
Malietoa and Mataafa, but from what he
was able to learn the outlook was anything
but promising. Baron Won Piisach. the
President Of the municipality and adviser
OF the King, has resigned his position, but
Notwithstanding, he still continues to in
huence the affairs of Government. The
natives complain Of many things.
TOO MANY sINECUREs.
They think there are too many sinecure
offices, some OF which might be abolished or
merg- d without detriment. Too many per-
sons have teen given titles to lands, and
there are more deeds on record than there
Is land to cover them in entire Samoa.
Chief Justice Cedercrantz is exceedingly IN
popular. and 1t would appear as though the
natives were receiving about the same kind
OF protection from the conflicting inter-
eStS that the wolf gave the lamb The
Samoa Times says:
THE Chief Justice did not appoint the
Land Commissioners. They were ap-
pointed by their respective Governments,
and we are not satisfied that the Chief JUS
tee has the power to interfere with titles
that are unanimously agreed upon by the
Land Commissioners. This is an important
matter, and the gentlemen who are so ably
representing the three powers on the Land
Commission should have the question
finally settled before proceeding further
with their work, and IL is also probable that
the Land Commissioners Will demand that
the Chief Justice contradict the statement
that he had anything to do with their ap-
p0intments,
OFFICIAL ABSENCE.
The Chief Justice has been away now
over two months from his duties. What he
went away for was never clearly under
stood, and even though he considers HIM
self so ail.pOwerfuls in Samoa, yet it is ex-
pected, and ought to be demanded by the
representatives of the treaty powers Chose
powers having paid his salary, why he re-
mained away from the duties he was called
70 20
away his duties were exceedingly light con-
ceivlng 1t the wisest course to interpret the
treaty in such a manner as to leave him
little or nothing to d. and throw the re-
sponsibility on other shoulders. He states
in his report that he has been exceedingly
busy framing criminal code.
UNCoMPLIMENTARY
I'VE hope this IS true, as we were begin
ming to doubt if criminal or any other
code would ever be issued by the Chief
Justice. He has been here long enough
to have done something but he has posi-
lively done nothing at all except to make
display Of his gorgeous gold-embroidered
uniform at native meetings and tell the
natives OF the immense power he has at his
command. We have repeatedly stated that
Samoa is very unfortunate in the selection
made of the gentlemen appointed to conduct
the affairs of the islands, and 1t is demanded
of the treaty powers to recall those gentle
men and use more discrimination in the ap-
pointment of the Chief Justice at least.
The President of the Council we can dis
pense with altogether. Those gentlemen
will probably now make common cause
against the press and community and en-
deavor to impress on the great powers that
they have been maligned; but facts are
against them, and when proper inquiries
are made, sufficient proof will be shown
that some of those gentlemen are totally
untitled for the positions they had the pre-
sumption to accept"