The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-03
ANEW FURRY IN SAMOA
THE NATIVES OF MONOA ON
THE GOVERNMENT.

The Houses of loyal Chiefs Pulled
Down-The Government Furnishes
the Criminals by Giving Them Six
Months in Jail-Dissatisfaction Over
the Course of the Chief Justice.
APIA, Sept. 16.-The natives OF the island
of Monoa have been trying for some time to
upset the present government, and few
weeks ago some of the chiefs who expressed
their intention of going to Mulinuu to join
the government had their houses pulled
down and their plantations destroyed by
order of other chiefs. AS soon
as the news of the outrage was
received here the president of the munich
pal council, Baron Won Senft, who is also
adviser to the king, together with United
States Vice Consul Blalock went down to
Monoa, on the United States steamer Iro-
quois, arrested the perpetrators, tried and
found them guilty and sentenced them to
six months Imprisonment.
THREATENED TO REBEL.
The people of Monoa at first threatened TO
rebel, but afterward returned to their
island, promising to obey the government.
No further trouble is feared. In order to
frustrate any attempt at rescue, the pris-
onerS were taken to Union Gasut about 800
miles from here. The natives say this action
savors strongly of the methods of ex-
German Consul Brandeve. The chief JUS
tice is absent on a trip to Sydney, leaving
just before the trouble started against the
wishes of the king and government and the
disapproval of theIoonsuls. 1t is considered
extraordinary that he should leave the
islands when he knew trouble might be ex>
pected at any time. Mataafa is still at
Malie with about 800 men and is addressed
and treated as king. It is keeping the
country in a state of unrest.
OUR HELP COUNTED ON.
A story has been circulated that the
United States would help in the event of
war, and this has had the effect of keeping
a number of discontented chiefs about
Mataafa Consul General Sewall wrote
Mataafa that he should not think of being
king and that he would forfeit the good
will of the United States If he persisted.
This letter was suppressed by Metaafa,
but copies have now been circulated
among the natives with good effect.
Chief justice Cedarkrantz gives great
dissatisfaction here. He has very limited
knowledge of the English language and
cannot conduct supreme court cases or
transact ordinary government business. He
refuses to have anything to do with the
governing country, and although he has
been nine months in Samoa he has not
framed single law for the guidance of
Samoan magistrates, as he was expressly
directed to do by the treaty. He
WON'T PAY IMPORT DUTIES.
He refuses to pay any duty on liquors,
etc, which he imported for his own use,
and as there is no appeal from his decision,
nobody can force him. The German land
4
if the chief justice does not pay neither will
they, on the ground that they are repre-
sentatives Of foreign powers. There is
nothing in the treaty to show that govern
ment officials should not be allowed this
privilege.
The president of the council has lost the
confidence Of the king and the government.
The president. not content with being ad-
vlsed, attempted to become O dictator. He
tried to force the old German silver marks
IN al par after the government had decided
against it, ordering them to reconsider their
Judgment and threatening that Germany
Would be very angry if her money was not
accepted.
THE MONEY IN CIRCULATION.
Owing to the geographical position of the
Islands, American and English money is the
only one of any use, except at heavy dis
count how ever, the government would
not be coerced, so the money used now is
American gold and silver, sovereigas. Ger
man gold 2O-mark pieces and Chilean silver
dollars
The municipal council has appointed a
postal committee, which has recommended
INT subsidy of 81, 100000 per annum be
pau to the mail Steamship lines.
4he Asiatic and Union steamers now stop
mere Doth ways, and it is expected that
Quite good tourist traffic will spring up.
THE COUNCIL UNDER HIS THUMB.
The municipal council is completely un-
uer the PRESIDENTS thumb. he simply does
VIVA be likes. He sent all funds to the
t panS OF sydney, aud it is believed that he
mas deposited the money in his own name.
Altnough information on the SUBJ
Ject was asked a month ago by the
1axpaye's it is not forthcoming.
ne Is TO take government residence
al Munnuu to cost about $4,000. He called
tor olds Ior Jail without consulting the
touneii, but the council had enough courage
W refuse 10 consent to this.
DILL IN CETJ