New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-07
THE Troubles IN SAMOA.
ANNEXATION TO THE UNITED STATES OR GREAT
BRITAIN \ SURE REMEDY. DECLARES
4 RETI'RNEn MISSION AnY

\ RETURNED MISSIONARY.
The Rev. s. ]. Whitmee who for many years has
been doing missionary work in Samoa. Is guest
a. the Murray Hi Hotel. "The Samoans" said
Mr.. Whltmec are utterly dissatisfied with the
Berlin treaty. 1t is n miserable failure. with the
exception Of the and commission. which has rea.'y
been of value in settling local disputes. The tr-
partite arrangement OF Great Britain, Germany ana
tho United States too, is thorough failure Inc
people of Samoa are anxious to be annexed 10
England or tie United States.
In January / was In sydney New South Naies
when heard Of the dissatisfaction Of the peope
OF Aanl the island OF Uupolu the principal
port Of Samoa. Their chiefs were invited by the
Government TO go to Mui NM. the scat OF gov
eminent, to present their grievances. on the ar
rival there Of twenty thirty of the highest cneiS
Of Aana they were tried for treason. sentenced
10 pay Il fine and TO WORK on the roads. II was h't
really rebellion in tie opinion of the people, only
dissatisfaction with the acts Of the Government
lust as YOU might be with the acts OF your Demo-
cratic party here In order TO subjugate iurther the
residents Of the island Of Mama, number 81
Savali Islanders Cd enemies o. the people OF Aanl
were paced on the border Of the province. and
4, was this which really led to the battle on March o.
The day before the battle | visited both war
camps lying alongside each other, ready for
fight demonstrated with the Aana people but
they said that they not rebel.ious. but were
willing to submit their grievances to King Ma.etoa
and the councils Of the three Powers. lneN Wah''h
the Savaii people removed. took the message 10
the King but before could return with his answer
the Savan Islanders had begun the attack; their
losses were greater than those OF the Aana people
but their position was better. The King mes
sage for a time at least. settled the trouble ana
the matter Is now being settled.
'The Samoans are anxious for annexation to Eng
land and would not oppose an alliance with Amer
lea but if IL became a choice between the t"o
preference | have no doubt, wOud be for Great
britain The policy of the United states. too. Is
known in the islands. and the experience OF HaWah
has satisfied the SamOans that their On.y hope lies
in Great Britain. They would not be willing. now
ever 10 agree to annexation with Germany, Tor
there Is a bitter feeling against the Germans. II
A single prOteCtorate were established, or anneNa-
ton to Great Britain or the United states were ac-
complished all trouble would be at an end
AIR Whitmee. who Is connected with the London
Missionary Society gave the Government at Wash
ngton information on Wednesday about the islanis;
he will present the same documents TO the British
Government ,,,
''The Samoans are brave race. easy 10 handle.
and they compare favorab,y with CoXeys army
which | saw in Washington" said Mr.. Whitme'.
MIR Whitmee ca,e ed at Honolulu on his way here.
lie saws that the Hawaans are greatly disap-
pointed in president Cieveland's policy, and Mr.
R,ount receives a good deal OF condemnation for
his part in the affair Mr. Nhmee thought that
Hawaii was naturally an American possess!on
and would or later become part OF the
United States.