The morning call., 1895-02-27
POLITICS TN
TROPICAL SAMOA.
CONDITION OF AFFAIRS THERE Is
REVIEWED BY CONSULAR
CORRESPONDENCE.
MALIETOA A FIGUREHEAD
No PRESENT APPEARANCE OF WAR
BUT LITTLE CONFIDENCE IN
EXISTING PEACE.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.-The President to-
day sent to the Senate, in response to a
resolution, copies of all the communica-
tons relating to Samoa received from
Judge H. G. Ide and ex-Consul Blackjack
since the ratification of the Berlin treaty.
Secretary Gresham S report, which accom-
panies the papers, is brief. He says that
in order to make the account of political
events in Samoa complete, copies of the
correspondence of Harold M. Sewall and
James II. Mulligan the principal consular
officers in Samoa during the period since
Mr.. Blacklock..s appointment as vice
Consul-General, and of the final report of
Mr.. Cham bers, late Land Commissioner on
the part of the United States, are also in
Guided.
Copies of the correspondence between
the department and the British and Ger
man embassies since July 10, 1894, the date
of the last transmission of information in
regard to Samoan affairs, are also trans
mitted though not specifically called for
by the resolution, as the Secretary says they
throw light upon the situation in the
Samoan Islands.
The correspondence is voluminous, COW
between $50 and 200 documents. Writing
on December 25 last Mr.. Mulligan says:
The condition here continues to be of pro.
found peace. No outbreak of any kind has oc-
CURED and 10 preparations for such an event
are discernible, Notwithstanding there is a
general belief that the prevailing peace is to
be OF but short duration. Reports are in cir
culation that a conflict has taken place and
war actually inaugurated in Tavy, but these
happily proved to be untrue. 1t is certain that
the native population is in state of unrest
AS far as l understand the general dissatisfac-
ton among the rebelliously inclined is di-
rected against Malietoa, not alone through
tribal and local prejudices, but for the reason
that he is mere fgurehead in the hands Of
foreigners and really represents q foreign
domination.
II the natives were in part salts fed, if well
disposed to peace, it is plainly my opinion that
they would not be suffered to SO continue. The
interests and elements sought under the treaty
to be harmoniZed are so indirectly conflicting
that cordial cooperation is not to be expected
So long as the,present arrangements continue
to exist no permanent policy will be permitted
Mr.. Mulligan's last communication is
dated January 2 and in this he says there
are no appearances of war, but repeats
that but little confidence is felt in the ex-
listing peace. He reports that Malietoa has
issued an address to other chiefs inviting
them to attend reconciliation meeting,
but no response has been made.
In communication of September 10 last
Judge Ide complains bitterly of the efforts
| of the Consuls to administer the affairs Of
the islands without consultation of the
treaty, but by prior determination to die.
tate to the President and himself He
closes thus:
In the midst of the difficulties and changes
of the situation here, it seems to me far wiser
not to spend our time in discussing the original
treaties on the question of abstract right, but
for all to join together to try to accomplish
something for this wretched country.