The sun., 1891-12-12
AFFAIRS IN SAMOA.
Comrissioner Ide on the workings OF the
Trcaty-Ths von Pilsach Affair.

Trcnty-The von Filsaoh Affair.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 11.-Henry G. Ide. ex-
United States Land Commissioner to the Pa
cifc station OF the three treaty powers In
Samoa, is in Washington. He is on his way to
Vermont, having served rs Commissioner for
eight months. Regarding somoan affairs and
tho workings OF the treaty Mr.. Ide said to THE
SUN reporter to-day:
"Certnin changes In the treaty terms
should be made. tho time for amendments
rs provided by the treaty. being close ut
hand. In the first plnce the nbsurdity Is
manifest OF making the unanimous de-
cision OF the three land Commissioners.
two OF them lawyers In their own countries.
possibly subject to reversal by the Chief JUS
tice, and le q Swede appointed according to
the treaty by tho King OF Sweden. The office
OF President should either be abolished or
filled by man OF tact and discretion. able to
harmonize the contending nati0nalities OF
Samoa. BY peculiar construction tho treaty
makes all customs revenues belong. quite Inn
properly to the municipality OF Apin. instead
of being apporttoned equitnbly to the whole
country The tax is assessed per capita on the
entire natvo population. man. woman. and
child. and Is accordingly a great hardship to
Possibly provision for the election OF n King
OF Snmon may relieve the restless desire Of
the Samonns for change. and tend to the peace
The work OF the Land Commission was
Limited by aT to to t%9 ysarS oand Claims
nll Of these cases in tho time allowed Sc, far
monious md the. judgments satisfactory to
both natives and Foreigners Now tho actua!
h Mh dses 5 With n in thu e oess Rsre and nd
the Government 81 Samoa. its inlepeSndIspSSis IS.
Saas ef ,arbor tights s' 70 the Unitea Btates
There s @
MYhs sY fss 1 ns arendS a
fSSda * sssns tie % 6nsd states Would ID
have no Pacific coaling stations, or harbor
%hsh ooud give or %hSo vi
MI Ids nlsc M @ gays the following version ,a Of
from Robert Louis Stevenson in the London
to Fl sas IF ts 9ss st seae 81 Mssss ss
H s 5SS sS hs sss u $s Sss
King: established. headquarters at Mnlio.
Significance Of this location is that Malie is
ins 9Se Shfrs bey tai saSs ts
Mataafa has already assumed the kingly nnme.
We're It not for the naval support given King
Maletoa by the treaty poweasYs BY the term, q
whether lie could maintain his position in the
presence Of his rival. Six chiefs OF Manopd
being captured. however. were tried by the
Government for treason rs adherents OF Ma.
tnafa. They wero sentenced to siX months
imprisonment with the provision OF daily
exercise In the open air. Fears OF rescue
from this terrible doom were entertained. 1t
is charged that Baron Won Pilsach. the PresI-
dent or Kings adviser under the treaty, rep
resenting the three treaty powers. advised
that dynamite be placed under the prison and
exploded II attempts were made to rescue the
prisoners with the effect of blowing into
atoms prisoners and rescuers alike. Ar
rangements were completed. it Is charged. in
accordance with this iiendish plan. But the
expected attack did not occur and the next day
the prisoners were deported from the country.
Public sentiment III Samoa was wrought up
by this Incident. and Mr.. Stevenson and other
citizens addressed Baron Won Pilsach with u
remonstrance., His replies were regarded by
those who addressed him rs decidedly inso-
lent and evasive When the King refused to
take his advice In the matter of currency his
influence beramo impaired and he rendered
his resignation In o heat Of passion. That was
in October last. after the Samoan decree de-
claring MatAafa and his adherents rebels and
their lands forfeited. His resignation has not
been acted on by the three powers. but It Is
doubtful II he will be or ought to be kept