New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-26
THREATS OF WAR IN SAMOA
x.raAFA AND HIS ADHERENTS DISCoN-
TENTED.

v.crvrrY OF THE OFFICIALS REPRESENTING
TIE POWERS UNDER THE BERLIN TREATY
NATIVE yUmcIAL METHoDs-TNED
NJ MAGISTRATE FOR KEEP
Inc HIM AWAKE.
Apia, Samoa, juno "a
The long absence Of men-of-war from Samoan
r.,ers. together with the mastery inactivity oil
The Chief Justice, has at length eliminated IN
that looked like an attempt at instruction.
Av.rted for the present, the ominous shadow Is
ro, entirely dispelled. 1t may be remembered
that when the Chief Justice first arrived numer-
ans atalolos7 were made to him in his honor. 70
.how allegiance to the new Government, OF which
bs was the representative. Not all, however, OF
the various districts of Samoa came TO Apia
Same portions of different districts that were
nelitically divided remained at home and refused
70 nav their respects At the start Manono' the
most troublesome district in the group, showed
a disposition to rebel While processing to desire
peace and harmony, they objected to Mahetoa
Iaupepa as King and expressed themselves In
favor Of Mataafa, who had fought so well ana
successfully for Samoa. The tongue lashlng whcn
their orator gave the King was so oltter ano
cutting that the Chief Justice was forced 10 eho
IL by leaving the ground and thus breaking up
the meeting. 1t was predicted at the time py
many of the old residents that trouble would
result and apparently their prediction stands
rood chance of being fulfilled if the three Powers
do not take prompt and firm measures 10 put
stop TO all political discussion in regard TO the
Hngship question.
There have been Of late a number Of secret
meetings to discuss the question of making Mataafa
King of Samoa, or al least portion of the group,
and from time 70 time rumors have been current
that certain districts were coming 10 Apia to
conduct him TO some inland village, to set up
government. Up in the mountains, some miles
from Apia, is beautiful lake. and the ruins of
some old forts used in the recent wars. 1t is
spot visited by foreigners frequently, but seldom
by Samoans. short time ago Mataafa and
some Of his followers made visit TO the lake,
sstensibly TO catch pigeons, or for general out
ing When this fact leaked out several old
timers smiled significantly and intimated that
IL locked as If there was trouble ahead. This
incident forgotten after, was wildly revived
IN the minds of the people the morning of
May 81. II was found that Mataafa had been
conducted from Apia down the coast TO Male by
@ number of his followers acting as o body
guard. The village of Maie is the home of
Maiietoa from which he takes his name. 1t was
also found that Mataafa had enticed and carried
way with him the two chiefs held as prisoners
or six months for the crime of treason against
malietoa. These two chiefs were from Male, and
had been committed for an attempt TO excite sedi-
ton in favor of Mataafa. He also took with him
half-caste prisoner under arrest for murder. IL
was found also, that a secret meeting had been
held at one Of the villages the evening before Ma
taafa went up 70 the lake in the Mountains. II
had been intimsted by one Of Mataafa's followers
some time before that he had many more sup
porters in Male than had Malietoa. So when the
news spread about town that Mataafa had been
called out of the French Catholic Church early
on Sunday morning. and openly escorted through
Apia and down the coast, the excitement was in
tense. The prospect of another native war,
dragging it's weary length from month to month
and year to year. with the accompanying stag
nation Of all business and the destruction of
property. is not pleasant prospect for people who
have invested their al in this country. After
O consultation of the King with the Chief Justice
several policemen were sent to Mataafa to de-
mand the return of the escaped prisoners, but
these officers returned empty-handed Next day
Tofae, one of the high chiefs of Apia, friend of
Mataafa was sent down with request TO have
the prisoners given up but 70 no purpose. After
these failures the King the Chief Justice, President
of the Council and three Consuls determined TO
Mataafa. At this intervie.J, however. the Chief
Justice was not present, as he made visit 70
the Island of Savaii, deputing his powers TO the
President of the Council. To these personages
Mataafa professed his desire for peace He boast
ingly made the assertion that if he desired war
be could easily indulge in one, and intimated, il
he followed the advice of certain people, war
would soon result. But this was not his wish.
He would support the King and Government
In the evening he returned TO Male sending the
prisoners to Apia next day. Later in the week
the King pardoned them and let them 60 TO Ma
taafa. 1t is an understood fact that the pardon
was obtained through pressure brought 10 bear
on the King by the President Of the Council.
So far, Mataafa seems to have the best of it.
He has scored point and holds his position, not
withstanding the weak attempt Of the King, PreS-
dent Of the Council and the Consuls 70 induce him
TO come back TO Apia TO live. His statements
about desiring peace and removing 20 Male for
the good Of Samoa are not received by people
familiar with Samoan politics with implicit con-
fdence. Unquestionabiy there is much truth
and such is felt be the case-in the statement Of
Mataafa that, if he desired, he could bring about
war Indeed, it is only too probable that there
will be trouble soon unless the three Powers take
more decisive action With the absence of all men
of-war in Samoa at the time, nothing could have
prevented Mataafa from raising an Instruction,
for the Government is too feeble TO prevent it,
and evidently does not desire TO offend powerful
chief. For the time being, at least the President
Of the Council and the Consuls have averted what
might have been-and may yet be-serious trouble
but it has been at the expense of their dignity and
Official standing, and has enhanced in Samoan
minds the Importance and power of Mataafa.
Probably the most convincing argument with
Mataafa 70 keep the peace is the presence in the
harbOr of the German cruiser Sperber, which ar
rived here June 6. The natives, from past ex
perience, are not partial TO German men-of-war.
The sperber came here TO remain about two weeks,
but in view of the unsettled condition of affairs