The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-27
FROM SAMOAN ISLANDS,
The Present Political Situation
in the Group Reported to
Be Quiet.
Tamasese Visited British Consul
Woodford to Arrange a Meet
ing of Chiefs.

APIA, SAMOA, Sept. 11.-Politically
everything here is quiet, nothing having
happened during the past four weeks of
nature to create any disquietude. Each
belligerent party is apparently devoting its
individual and collective energies to the
growth OF food crops. 1t is true that the
same territorial lines are still in existen &c
dividing the Malietoa and Tumua inter
ests, over which neither party care to step;
but in other respects the aspect of affairs
is peaceful, and, to an uninitlated OBJ
server, free from the slightest friction. OF
course old residents are not deceived and
recognize that until the natives as whole
contribute to the revenues at MuIimuo it
cannot be truly said the country is in a
healthy condition. Although not bellicose,
yet the Tumua people have not been quite
idle in their relations with the Government
party.
Tamasese, the real but unassuming
head of the Tumua, has paid Apia visit.
On the 9th ult. he arrived at 2 o'clock in
the morning, turned out Consul Wood
ford from his mosquito screen and calmly
requested his good offices in arranging
meeting with the King. The British Con-
sui was not taken greatly by surprise, as
for some time past he had been aware of
Tamasese's desire for an interview. Hence,
he met that chief cordially enough, pro-
vided him with shake-down and eventu-
ally gave him some breakfast. Mr.. Wood
ford then interviewed Consuls Smith Leda
and Mulligan and King Malietoa Laupepa,
and meeting between the TWO chiefs was
arranged at the Imperial German Con-
sulate to eventuate without any loss of
time. In this act Consul Mulligan took
no part for reasons best known to himself.
The King and his political opponent met
in due course in the presence of the Ger
man and British Consuls; and, to all ap-
pearances, met cordially. From all that
can be heard no recriminati0ns passed
between them. Tamasese expressed de-
sire for general peace, and his Majesty re-
sponded in a similar spirit; letter was
written to the chief Of Aana-from which
district Tamasese had come-and signed
by the two Consuls. The contents of this
letter are not actually known, but it is
understood that its object was to arrange
for a general gathering of chiefs for one
day at the end of the current month, the
business being "the present political sit
uation."
Tamasese took his departure later on in
the day under the safeguard of the Kings
honor, and nothing of consequence has
been heard of him since.
n &c dio SUING wall As DullC ny
the Government people from the sea beach
inland about four miles to windward.
The natives call it pig fence, but it is
known that it is to be enfiladed for rifles.
Natives are quietly endeavoring to pur-
chase more rifles. What this means no
one is able to say.
The treasury deficit of $500 has been,
during the past month, the principal topic
of conversation in all circles. The report
OF the investigation committee has been at
last received and accepted by the Munich
pal Council. The report on the whole is
unsatisfactory. inasmuch as the committee
cannot take upon themselves to determine
to what realms the missing coin has been
waited. They, however, would appear to
have exhausted all available sources of in
formation. and are convinced that the de-
felt in reality exists.
British Acting Consul C. NJ. Woodford
left Apia for Fiji on the 18th instant, on
the return of w. Z. B. Cusack-Smith
from furlough on the 9th. The departure
of Mr.. Woodford, who has made himself
very popular among all nationalities by
his excellent qualities of heart and brain.
was regretted by all.
II. M. S. Bussard left for Sydney on the
9Th, having been relieved by the Fake.
1t is understood that the Bussard will re-
turn in November or December.
The new Protestant church was formally
dedicated on the LIST instant, and is a
structure that improves not a little our
beach frontage. There is burden of
debt on it, however, that will take years of
Iiuuidata