The San Francisco call., 1896-08-01
DANGER TO TRADE
IN SAMOAN ISLES,
All American Commerce
Is Very Seriously
Threatened.
A LETTER FROM APIA.
Merchant Moors Asks That the
President and Press Be
Appealed To.
MR.. BRANDEIs IS OPPOSED.
He Is of MarShoI leland Fame and
MR.. BRANDE1s IS OPPOSED.
He Is of Marshal! Island Fame and
e Proposed for President at
Apia.

The latest advices from Samoa show
that American residents and merchants
fear in the proposed appointment by the
German Government of Commissioner
Brandeis of the Marshall Islands as presi-
dent of the Municipal Council of the gov
eminent at Apia a serious menace to
American commercial interests, and par
ticulary the interests of San Francisco, in
the Samoan Islands.
This information was received yesterday
in letter to James R. Watson, shipping
commissioner, from H. ]. Moors, leading
and wealthy merchant at Apia.
The letter says Brandeis was instru-
mental in driving out of the Marshall
Islands near this group the business OF the
late Andrew Crawford OF this City and all
other American commercial interests.
Brandeis is the German Governments
representative at the Marshall Islands
under the treaty between America, Ger
many and England as to their respective
powers in these islands, which was
brought about by the late James g.
Blaine. IS
Mr.. Moors says that the Germans now
practically run things at Samoa, and he
press of the United States be appealed to
not to sanction the appointment of Bran
deis.
O The letter is as follows:
APIA, Samoa, July II, 1896.
Dear Mr.. Watson: The steamer is in and
departs almost Immediately. Excuse any
mis- takes.
We have just learned that the German press
are urging their Government to appoint Bran
deis as president of the Municipal Council and
adviser to the Government here.
Ii this is done the greater part of the work
OF the Berlin Conference will be undone, and
the minute that this party sets foot here war
against the natives will be inevitable.
We are all-that is, the British ana American
residents-very much astounded to learn that
the German press would propose such an ap-
pointment, and we ask you TO present the
matter to the press of San Francisco in such
way as to make such noise as TO deter Presi-
dent Cleveland from accepting Brandeis as
representative of the powers.
= We are most anxious that the spirit of the
treaty will now be carried out and that the
new President will be neither an American,
German nor an Englishman, but subject OF
one of the powers referred to in the Berlin
general act.
. President Schmidt aud his predecessor, Won
IllSdCn, nave DSeu nolOrlOuS because
they have been men of scant ability and be-
cause they have been sent here TO look out for
German interests to the detriment of all
others.
The Municipal Council consis IS of three Ger
mans and two Englishmen, myself and the
president, who of course is a German. They
always in all matters vote solidly together, so
that the balance OF us feel that it makes little
or no difference whether we are present or not
All measures are settled in the German con-
sulate or in the German firm before the meet
imgs start, and we cannot alter them, being
always in the minority.
The United States has been driven out of the
G1lberts, the Marshalls, the Carollnes and the
groups'to the westward. Are we to be made so
uncomfortable here that we have also to get
out OF Samoa?
Strong editorial comment is what we want
something that will be copied throughout the
country. Do what you can.
Schmidt, our President and adviser, is a man
without the least qualification for his Office
and could not, If he tried, earn $40 per week
in any capacity. You have no doubt noted
how he pursued me in the courts here because
he knew that had no protection as long as
Blackjack was in Office. Brandels is bolder
and would be worse yet. Make noise for US.
II. ]. MooRs.
son OF the firm of Peterson & Marcus,
will call the attention of the Chamber of
Com merce to the danger that is threaten
ing the commerce of the country and San
Francisco in the Samoan Islands, and
propose that some action be taken to pro-
tect American interests there.
James R. w atson said he hoped some
action would be taken by Congressman, or
Others, to bring the matter formally to the
attention of the administration and see if
something cannot be done without loss OF
time to stop the rapid ascendancy of Ger
man influence and government in Samoa.
Mr.. Watson is familiar to a considerable
extent with the career of Brandeis in the
islands of the South Sea. He said last
night
"The situation in Samoa is really
serious. Peace is threatened. Mataafa is
the favorite chief of the natives who do
not favor German preponderance in the
islands. Mataafa is held prisoner in the
Marshall Islands by the Germans to King
Malietoa, who has been put in his place,
the natives will not pay tribute, and
Malietoa is supported by the Germans.
The result of this is that the country is
rapidly becoming bankrupt. The natives
want Mataafa back"
DTd0Q6lS Was previously OcIlud0
official in Samoa. He was instrumental
in promoting trouble among the natives
who were opposed to the Germans ruling.
After this state of affairs had continued
several years Brandeis was promoted to be
commissioner of the Marshall Islands.
Moors knows that if Brandeis is sent
back to Apia as president of the munich
pal council and the adviser there for his
Govern tnent that he will use his influence
to increase the German grip there. If
this man be appointed San Francisco will
suffer a great blow. He will drive out
American business interests just as they
were driven out of the Marshall Islands
by the Germans.
"The late Andrew Crawford of San
Francisco" Watson continued, ''came to
this coast sailmaker. He slowly got
into this island trade and built up a fine
business, with headquarters in the Mar
shall Islands, after some years. Before he
died he was forced out of Jenit, the chief
port of entry of the group, by the Ger
mans gradually getting foothold and by
the imposition of tax his business would
not stand. The Germans now have his
business. The Germans would do in
Samoa what they did in the Marshall
group.
Mr.. Moors is quite we'll known in San
Francisco. He has fine hotel at Apia,