Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1893-08-24
eoLDsBoRo.N. G., AUGUST "a, 1893
DISGRACE To.c1vIL1zAT1oN.

sage:
according 70 the latest advlces
FROM Apia. order has been con-
pletely restored in Samoa. AS q
result of q conference between the
foreign consuls and the captains OF
the foreign warships, Mataafs was
deported to the Union lslands
aboard the German mansof-"af
Sperber.'
TT this news he true, and the
probabilities are tlas il iR, another
chapter ia added to the tragedy q
Samoa. It is not necessary. and II
would not be easy. TO so into the
minute details of recent Samoan
history OF the i~ntricacies Of Samoan
politics. Anybody VITO wishes TO
study that most interesting story
of g noble people will lind i tod
with remarkable impartialitg by
Robert Louis Stevenson, IN his
volume "a Footnote to History"
It is sufficient % say that Matas
ala ia NJ pretender, bnt g legitimate
claimant to the craftsmanship. He
actually held that office while The
present chief Malietoa was a caps
tive and exile under German cons
troll, On the latter's return there
was a generous rivalry between the
two chiefs, each pressing the other
to scceps the throne, if that be not
TOO lofty q word for the kingshlp
Of Samoa.
The Germans, disregarding the
claims of both chiefs, had set up a
puppet Of their own, Tamasese.
Malietoa ia a weak man, Mataafa a
lion in courage. He disputed the
usurpation, and to such effect that
with his handful OF i~lI-trained ma
tives he successfully withstood
every effort Of a powerful German
feet to compel his allegiance and
repealed the troops who were landed
to oyerawe him.
At this juncture onr Government
displayed an unusual spirit by in
terfering to save the Samoan islands
from spoliation. England Of course
took a hand also. Then when
matters seemed about to eliminate
in openiwarfare, occurred the ter
rible hurricane Of March 1889, IL
which the American and German
fleets were totally destroyed, The
one English wal vessel escaping BY
q hairs breadth from a similaI
fate.
Matsafa's opportunity wonit
then have come, had he been wha
we are pleased to style a "civilized'
warrior. The Germans were at hi
mercy, to be elain like drowning
rats. But though be was a savag
he wes also 8 Christian, and be
hayed as neither Christians no
savages commonly do. VIVA
more natural to the mind or a EG
ropean," says Stevenson. ''tha.
that the Mataafas should fall upe.
the Germans in this hour Of thei
disadvantage"
That never occurred to the m
tutored Samoan mind. Or tn
contrary, the generous native
plunged into the surf and, nc
without loes OF lie, labored fo
hours in saving their enemies frot
destruction. They even toiled
save their property, aud Surprise
all by an unexpected virtue, ths
OF honesty"
For this heroism they were re
rewarded by our Government
"Rings, money and Watches" say
Stevenson, "were iavished on a
who had assisted. The German
also gave money at the rate Gas
received the tale) of So a head fo
every life saved. In on
Ease at least it was refused.
will make you q present of tn
three"
But the German Governme1
remained implacable towaro
Mataafa. The triple agreemeI
between Germany, England an
the United States prevented an
overt action against them; BIT
Mslietoa was installed in the king
ship, and, az Stevenson predicted
intrigue has succeeded where VIC
lence failed. Mataafa has bse
driven to revolt, defeat, captiveit
exile and possible death. No o.
who knows the bitterness of tt
German hatred against Mstaafa,
says a correspondent of the N.
Sun "believes that he will eve
Feturnalive to his beautiful land,