Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-26
SAM0A'S BAD REBELS
Refuse to Be Arrested, as They Don't
Know the Supreme Court.
KING MALIETOA AFRAID TO ACT.
His Little Army of 43 Braves Would Have
Too Big Job on Hand.
THE GOVERNMENT VERY UNPOPULAR

APIA, SAMOA, Nov. 10.-Chief Justice
Gedergrantz has tried several civil cases
since his return from his vacation, but some
dissatisfaction has been found with the ver-
diets rendered In one case an English
man, who was arrested by native police
man under warrant from a Samoan magis-
trate, PRAYED for damages, and, though the
magistrate acknowledged his error, Chief
Justice Gedergrantz dismissed the case on
the ground that the white man was in no
bodily danger, and could have registered
had he wished.
In another case Macarthur & Co. sued
some natives for debts due secured by mort
gage. The Chief Justice dismissed this
case on the ground that chiefs who signed
the deed had not rendered themselves per-
sonally liable, and the firm must wait the
decision OF the Land Court as to land titles.
As most of these cases are against the ma
tives on the Island of Savaii, it means TO
one can recover mortgage debts on that
island for at least two years, as it will be
fully that time before the lands on Savaii
can be taken up bv the Land Court
Rebels Ignore the Supreme Court.
IHc Sulel Justice mas stated IN open
Court that the natives need not be afraid
10 appear before him, as he is friendly dis
posed to them; but when he sent some SOL
diers down to Malie in charge of an officer
Of the Supreme Court to arrest some natives
who had been summoned to answer
charges of steeling swine they refused to
obey the warrant. On the arrival of the
officers he was informed by some of the lead
ing rebel chiefs that he would MOI be al
lowed to arrest men, as they did not know
the supreme Court.
When the Chief ,Tustic, found that his
warrant had been defied, he wrote to King
Malietoa, suggesting that the Samoan army,
which numbers IS men, be sent to arrest the
men wanted. The King, however, replied
that the army would surely be unsuccessful
and in that event it would be necessary to
muster his forces, which would mean war. as
the other party would learn thereof as soon
as his own people.
The Chief Justice thereupon wrote to the
british Consul, informing him OF these facts,
and demanding a British man n-of-war to be
AT once sent to carry out the mandates of
his court. The chiefs WHO compose the
native Government had meeting and de-
cided to get their men together o attack the
insurgents. holding that the longer the re-
bcllOn Was allowed to 60 on the more diff
cult it would be to break it up
Hoping for an American President
They eventually decided, however, to
await the arrival of the next mail from San
Francisco, hoping that a new President,
either an American or an Englishman,
would be appointed, which it was thought
would go far toward settling the difficult
ties between the natives
Many of the chiefs say that if the treaty
powers should request Baron Won Senft
President Of the Municipal Council of Apia,
70 withdraw his rendered resignation, trou-
hle would eLsue, as the natives have no
confidence in him.
The Chief Justice has written to the
Municipal Council, refusing TO paw duty on
goods imported for his own use Consider
lng hat he is living rent free, his refusal to
pay these duties, also, caused dissatisfaction
10 the natives. There are vet six months
before his term expires, in which alteration
IN the treaty may be considered. In view of
this short period, il is thought the treaty
powers NAV request President Nonsenft
10 continue in office until that time expires.
i is believed that the American Govern
ment has been fully informed on all points,
Consul Sewell and ex-Land Commissioner
Ide being now in America
The little Samoan army costs the
government over s., 600 a wear. 1t is COM
Handed by Lieutenant Ulfsparre, who was
sent here by the treaty.