The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-10-27
SAMOA'S CHIEF JUSTICE.
A PASSENGER ON BOARD THE
MARIPOSA.
A Judge Whose Authority Extend:
Even to Deciding the Fate Of
Rival Monarchs.

Among the passenger on the Ma
riposa are Henry c. Ide of Vermont,
the newly appointed Chief Justice of
Samoa, who with his three daughters,
the Misses Addie M, Annie l.. and
Marry NJ, is now on his way to the
scene of his future duties. Judge
Ide first went to Samoa about three
years ago as a member of the Sa-
moan Land Commission, which is
composed of representatives of Eng
land, Germany and the United
States, one from each country, ac-
cording to the provisions of the Ber
lin treaty. He was there little less
than year when he returned to his
home in Vermont. He now goes
back to Samoa as the head of its
judicial system. In coast inter-
view the new Chief Justice said:
81 have not been in Samoa for
over two years, and cannot speak of
what is going on there from any per-
sonal knowledge of the events. l
was there a short time as a member
of the commission which decided all
matters respecting land titles, be-
tween foreigners and natives or
between the citizens of other nations.
The work of this commission is
about half completed, and when they
have done the commission will be
abolished.
"My appointment as Chief Justice
is made by the Samoan Government
on the nomination of the three
nations which are interested in the
protectorate. The Supreme Court
deals with all matters where one or
both of the parties are not citizens OF
Samoa, and also with all matters
which are appealed from the courts
presided over by native magistrates.
"The treaty provides that this
court of last resort should be presided
over by man who should be accepta-
BILE to each of the powers, and in
case they fail to agree then the King
of Norway and Sweden makes the
nomination. This was the case when
Judge Cedarkranz, whom l succeed
was appointed.
"Samoa is not so important foI
itself, though there are some magnifi-
cent estates there, but for the position
it occupies. 1t is the only indepen,
dent group of islands in the South
Seas. All the others have beer
appropriated by one power or another
until this is the only place where al
commercial nations stand on ar
equality.
"For that reason it was so i'm
portant to the United States that its
independence should be maintained
for, but for it, a condition of affairs
might arise which would drive oui
ships from every harbor in the South
Pacific.
"There are not over 1900 foreign
ers in the kingdom, but the people
occupying official positions there un
der the various Governments form {
circle of highly educated and refined
people, and our social advantages
are not meager by any means.
$50 far as know, matters in thu
kingdom are progressing quietly, anc
the hope which led to the forming o
the protectorate, that stable gov
eminent might be built up there
bids fair to be realized"
II Accompanying the Chief Justice il
, William Lee Chambers of Alabama
who has been appointed on the Sa
moan Land Commission as tn,
/ United States representative. Tn,
other members of the commission
/ are Bazett M. Haggard, brother o
Rider Haggard, who represents Grea
f Britain, and Commissioner Greiner
, who looks out for the interests o
Germany. Their work has to d.
with land matters exclusively ant
will be finished in a few years more