The morning call., 1893-06-09
WAR IMPENDING.
Serious Trouble Feared in
Samoa.
MATAAFA AND THE THRONE.
Peaceful Overtures Rejected by King
Maiietoa, Who Proposes to Crush
His Powerful Rival.
Correspondence of the Associated Press.

APIA. Samoa, MAY 24-It may be safely
predicted pow that Samoan affairs are ap-
preaching a climax. Indeed. before this
reaches you Malietoa and Mataata may
have tried conclusions and the all-mpor-
tant question as TO which is the stronger
party may have been forever decided.
Since last l wrote several important
events have taken place, and it now seems
as if active hostilities were on the very
point of being commenced.
A fortnight ago Mataafa addressed a let
ter to King Maietoa in which he made
peaceful overtures, reminded his Majesty
Of bygone occurrences and suggested that
huge aud general meeting of Samoans
should be held to choose a monarch. He
suggested various villages as suitable
places to hold the proposed meeting, and
repeatedly appealed TO the King not to be
angry with him.
Following is the text of Mataafa's letter ::
SAMOAN GOVERNMENT.
MALE, May s, 1898.
To His Majesty. Maltetoa Laupepr, M
tinult-YOUR MAJESTY: l write tins letter
with the greatest respect for your Majesty,
that you may be friendly disposed toward me,
because, although you are very angry with me.
my intentions here expressed will not change
l am very anxious for you 10 change your
nnuu lDat we may DOln De well 1olDed together
in peace and friendship. l beg of you to give
over your anger referred to. because L know
from many reports that reach me that you and
those that are with you of Tumua and Pue and
ltuau and Alataua and Aiga aIe about to cause
war In Samoa on account of our being divided.
lido not understand the reason why this war
should take place. II you are angry concern
Ing the name Of MalietOa let US take The matter
into consideration. Sir, those who gave this
name were Trisamau and Auimaiga. 1t was
by the wish also OF Manono; it was by the ex-
press wish of Safoiulafai, OF Saleaula, OF tile
FaeaO and OF the Ala aGa. When you returned
alive from your great dIstresses you said To me,
Take you tie command and confer with The
people, for | am not strong enough"
On another matter, hear that you are angry
about the title of King. Certainly it was by
your direction, made in the presence Of the
Great Counci meeting OF our kingdom. You
will perceive that my stay here has not arisen
out OF my error or pride. On this account beg
and entreat you TO put away that word-Waf
This is my real wish, aud il is that OF those of
1nmua. and Pule, ana ManonO, and Saeaula
and Aiga, who are with me and who say that
they do not wish Samoa 10 again be torn in
pieces by us two. therefore beg of you, with
those Tumua ana those Pue who are with you,
TO let US have friendly meeting here II you
do not wish The meeting 10 take place here, lei
it be at your pleasure whether 1t should be at
Laogafuafua. or Maauga, or Faleu, o. Utua.
eIagi, or Failoa, or Fuifatu, or in Vatuutuu. If
from this meeting Samoa would reap friends shin
lmous for and satisfied wlth-if your Majesty
then il VIII be agreeable to my wish; if any one
else, or If myself. let that be pleasing to you
and do not be angry, for | 40 not desire 10
coerce and ride over the wishes of anv SamO-
ans. But let all Samoa be gathered together
IN friendship ana In peace, aud let our country
ihen construct, In peace IA government and
we shall be able to carry out our agreements
with the three powers. Your Majesty, may
you live long. l am, your true brother,
j. L. NJ. I. l.. 7. MATAAFA,