The morning call., 1891-12-26
FROM SAMOA.
Dissatisfaction and Trouble Grow
ing Out of administration.

APIA Samoa, Nov 1O-Chief Justice
Cedercrantz has tried several civil cases
since his return from his vacation, but
some dissatisfaction has been found with
the yerdcts rendered. In one case an
Engishman, who was arreste by native
policeman under a warrant from the
Samoan magistrate, prayed for damages,
and, though the magistrate acknowledged
his error, the Chief Justice dismissed the
case on the ground that the white man was
in no bodily danger, and could have resisted
if he wished.
In another case Macarthur & Co. sued
some natives for debts due secured by
mortgages. The Chief Justice dismissed
this case on the ground that the chiefs who
signed the deed had not rendered them
selves personally liable, and that the firm
must wait the decision of the Land Court as
to the land titles. AS most of these cases
are against natives On the island of Savaii it
means no one can recover mortgage debts
on that island for at least two years, as it
will be fully that time before the lands on
Sayaii can be taken up by the Land Court
The Chief Justice has stated in open court
that the natives need not be afraid to
appear before him as he is friendly dis
posed toward them. but when he sent
number of soldiers down to Male in
charge OF an officer of the Supreme Court to
arrest some natives who had been sum-
moned to answer charges of stealing swine,
they refused to obey the warrant. On the
arrival of the officer he was informed by
some leading rebel chiefs that he would not
be allowed to arrest the men as they did not
know the Supreme Court. The officer had
to leave without securing the parties
wanted. Mr.. Moors, however, went to Male
and got the chiefs to send two of the natives
up with Il letter from MoOrs to a local solic-
itor asking the latter to inform the Chief
Justice that If more of the natives were
wanted to let the chiefs know and they
would be sent up. The Chief Justice tried
the two men for stealing, but had to dis
miss them as the charges couldn't be
sustained. When the Chief Justice
found his warrant had been detied he wrote
to King Malietoa suggesting that the Sa-
moan army. which numbers forty-three
men, be sent to Male to arrest the IN en-
wanted. The King however, replied that
the army would surely be unsuccessful, and
in that event it would be necessary to mus
ter 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 Cansul in
forming him of these facts and demanding
that British man-of-war be sent for to
carry out the mandates of his court.
The chiefs on Mulinuu who compose the
native Government had a meeting and de-
cided first to get their men together to
attack Malie, holding that the longer tho re-
bellion was allowed TO go on the more diff
cult it would be to break it up. They event
ualy decided, how ever, to await the arrival
of the next mail from San Francisco, hoping
that the new President, either an American
or Engiishman, would be appointed, which
1t was Thought would go far toward settling
the difficulties between the natives.
Many OF the chiefs say that If the treaty
powers should request Baron Won SENT,
President of the Municipal Council OF Apia,
to withdraw his rendered resignation,
trouble would ensue, as the natives have no
confidence in him.
The Chief Justice has written to the Mu-
nicipal Council refusing to pay duty on
goods imported for his own use. Consider
ing that he is living rent free his refusal to
pay these duties has also caused dissatis-
faction to the natives. There are yet six
months before his term expires in which
alterations in the treaty may be considered.
and in view of this short period it is
thought the treaty powers may request
President Won Senft to continue in office I'M
til that time expires 1t is believed that the
American Government has been fully in
formed on all points, Consul Sewell and
eX-Land Commissioner ide being now in
America.
The Samoan army, which consists of forty
three men sent in by various districts, cnsts
the Government over $1,000 a year. 1t is
commanded by Lieutenant UlfSparre, who
was sent here by the treaty powers to act
as Marshal, but who has since combined
two positions. The natives and whites have
been suffering from la grippe. Many of the
former have died. there being no central
hospital where they could be treated.