The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-15
OF FAIR SAMOA,
Spasm odic Efforts of the
Malietoa Party to Bring
on War.
Action on the Part Of the United
States Would Greatly Benefit
the Islands.

APIA, SAMOA, Aug. 12.-Ihe national
politics of Samoa remain in much the
same position as they did last month. A
spasmodic effort made by some of the
members OF the Malietoa party to precipi-
tate war upon the north coast of Savaii
has ended in failure and matters are again
assuming an unusually quiet aspect.
Information from almost every quarter
of the country shows that Malietoa has
summoned great gathering of his friends
to take place at Mulinuu about September
l. 1t is fairly certain that if by that time
he thinks he has reason to believe that he
can count upon foreign assistance or that
foreign help would save him and damage
his opponents if he were tight pressed he
will take the chances of a war, which would
be hopeless if left to his party alone to
accom- plish.
There is a great dissemination on the
part of all Samoans to engage IN another
fight, and before another war party can be
organized many and specious pretexts will
have to be invented by those who are de-
sirous of bringing about such result
The great advantage which the Malietoa
party have always enjoyed is that their
Capitol and headquarters are situated
within the "Eleele Sa" or neutral zone,
which is protected by foreign powers. 1t
is easy for them to issue forth at some I'M
guarded moment and inf1ict serious dam
age upon some unprotected village or dis
trict, and again retreat to the security of
their Capitol before their incensed oppo-
nents can gather in sufficient num- ers.
No attempt is being made to collect the
native taxes, now three months in arrears,
and none is likely to be successful until
such time as the full provisions of the
Berlin general act are carried out and the
people are allowed to choose their own
form of government and select their own
chief or ruler" ANY form of successful
rule in Samoa must first be preceded by
the dethronement of Malietoa, the oblitera-
ton of his government and general cleo
ton, during which the wishes of every
single male inhabitant of these islands
may be consulted and ascertained. Until
then dissensions and disorders will prevail,
all progress will be stayed and commerce
will be seriously retarded.
If the United States Government were to
insist upon the observance of these clauses
in the Berlin general act which bear
upon these matters the results would
be Immediately felt, the gloom of dis
content and possible impending war
would be succeeded by brighter aspect,
improvements would be encouraged and
trade of itself would revive. An indepen-
dent and gallant race would be encour-
aged to resist decline. signs of which are
already perceptible, the arts of peace
would receive an impulse and prosperity
and contentment would follow.
With regard to the state of the munich
pal government of Apia matters are at a
standstill. No matters of great importance
have within the past month been before
the courts here, but within few days the
court will investigate the claims OF the
American Land Company to over 10000
acres of very valuable property. About
%, 900 acres of this land has already been
confirmed to them by the Lands Commits
sion, and it is hardly probable that they
will lose any part of that portion. AS soon
settled the land will be offered for sale in
small or large allotments and on easy
terms.
The growth and cultivation of coffee and
cacao has already passed the experimental
stage, and the wealth and prosperity of
the group is assured as soon as settled
government is established which is strong
enough to offer full protection and proper
encouragement to industry. Generally
Samoa is most healthy, but now and again
severe epidemics, such as measles, grippe
and influenza are brought here by the nu-
merous vessels and steamers which visit
the place. For the past six weeks the
islands have been entirely without ply
sician, the Apia doctor taking it into his
head to take vacation and visit Lake
Lanotou, sheet of water situated way up
among our mountains, $500 feet above the
sea level. Several cases of illness occurring
during this period have pretty clearly
shown that it would be a great advantage
to have second doctor in the place, par
ticularly as the local doctor has frequent
visits to make TO the large plantations of
the German Company, some of which are
situated miles away from town.
1t is understood that the powers, in
order to complete the work which the
Lands Com mission left unfinished, will
order the survey of several very large
tracts of land on Upolu, Savai and Tutu-
lila. If this information is correct this
work will be let out by contract, and
being quite extensive it ought to become
the subject of considerable competition
from outside surveyors as well as from
the two who are located here.
A considerable tourist travel has set in
since the building of the new hotel, and
several parties are now visiting the various
points of interest. One of the enterprising
American traders is building a small
steamer for the passenger and freight
traffic within the islands. and the most
distant points will soon be brought within
easy access.