The times., 1898-08-31
NEXT KING OF SAMOA
Mataafa, the Exile, May Be
Called to Rule.
GERMANY WILL OBJECT
Emperor williams Country Not
Situation Of Affairs Not Improba-
BILE With n New Sovereign on the
Throne - Possibility of Trouble.

Malietoa Laupepa, king of Samoa, is
dead, but the people of Samoa will not
cry, Long live the kingi''
A dispatch from Apia by way of Auck-
land. New Zealand states that the king
died of typhoid fever on August p.
The death of this native ruler may have
an important effect upon the relations be-
tween the United States and the govern
ments having great interests in the ISL
ands of the South Pacific.
The Samoan Islands have been Prac-
tically controlled by Germany for dozen
years or longer, although since 1883 they
have been supposed to be under the JOINT
protectorate of Germany. Great Britain,
and the United States. The Germans own
a very large part OF the best land on the
Island of Upolu, on which the capital,
Apia, is situated. The manner in which
they acquired this land gave the natives
the same sort of opinion of the Germans
that sundry farmers have of kid" Mill
er, Hungry Joe" and orners of their ilk.
Two Flag Raisings.
About ten years ago Germany maze an
effort to take formal possession of the
islands, going so far as to raise her flag
at Apia. But the American consul raised
the Stars and Stripes at the same tine,
his action being intended as a formal pro-
test against the arbitrary proceedings IF
the German officials. But the Germans
pulled the American flag down, which led
TO the diplomatic intercourse on the Sa-
moan question that may or may not have
been q good thing for the natives.
But the natives did not wait for diplo-
matte negotiations. Malietoa went INTO
the interior and gathered a strong force
of natives, who were greatly incens4l
against the Germans for having taken
their lands. The natives attacked the
Germans, who had several war vessels at
Apia at the time and killed more than
eighty of them. The Germans fought with
rifles, however, whereas the natives mad
only war clubs and knives, ana, or course
the Germans won. Malietoa was taken
prisoner and was sent into exile. Before
he left. however. he appointed Mataafa,
who was next in the royal line of success
sion, TO reign during his absence.
Hostile to the Germans.
The Germans would not permit Ma
taafa to assume charge of the native gov
ernment because of his bitter hostility to
them, and appointed a distant connec-
ton Of the royal family named Tamas-
seese to the kingship. Then Mataafa
went of and organized another native
army, which gave the Germans a heap
OF trouble for several years.
Meanwhile the diplomatic representa-
tives of the powers had come together
and the Berlin convention was arranged.
The agreement adopted by that body was
that Samoa should be under the joint pro-
of Rrir raj md
the United States. Malietoa was 10 be
brought back from exile and restored to
the throne, but all his official acts were
10 be subject to revision by the consuls
OF the three powers. The laws were to
be made by the municipal council Of
Apia, the president Of which was 10 be
the adviser of the king, with the under
standing that the king would find it
greatly to his personal interest to adopt
any advice that might be offered It was
also agreed that each Of the three powers
should appoint land commissioner whose
duties Il should be to investigate and
pass upon the claims of the natives who
might prefer charges that their property
had been wrongfully taken from them. In
addition, il was provided that there
should be q chief justice to interpret the
laws and render a decision in all cases
OF controversy.
By the provisions Of the convention, the
president of the municipal council was TO
be selected by Germany. and, in the faul-
ure of the representatives of the powers
to agree upon an appointee as chief JUS
4ice, ne was to be named by the King of
Sweden. The selection of a chief justice
was at once referred to the Swedish
monarch. who named Baron Cedekranz.
and Germany appointed Count Won PHI
sach president Of the council.
Germany Gets Everything.
II was apparent from the outset that
Germany had everything her own way,
fo1 Baron Cedekranz was entirely Ger
man in his sympathies, and the King oi
Samoa was compelled TO obey the aicta-
ton of Count Won Pilsach-
In the meantime, Mataafa had organized
an army of 10000 men and had approach
ed within ten miles of Apia, which ne
nroposed to attack with the declared IN
tention of cutting the throat OF every
white person IN the place. The popuia-
ton numbered about 800 persons. most oil
whom were Germans, with perhaps a
score of English and Americans. Ma
+aafa sent word to the Americans that
he was not unfriendly to them, but that
his soldiers would not be able TO dtstin-
e1,ish between them and the Germans
and ne advised them to escape while
there was time.
This message created panic, and fol
several days Apia was in state of pan
&c. the people expecting that each day
would be their last on earth. for ii is {
well-known fact that while the Samoans
are peaceably inclined. they are tbs
fercest fighters on earth. once they ge
started. But the Germans went out tC
meet the natives. and, as war clubs ar:
no match for modern repeating rifles. Ma
taafa was routed and was taken prisoner
to be sent into exile as Malietoa had
been
Affairs have been comparatively quie
In Samoa during the last half dozer
years, although there have been threats
of a native uprising at intervals. Malie
toa had become a mere puppet in th
hands OF the Germans and had lost thr
respect Of the natives, who hate the Ger
mans as fercely now as they alwayt
have. AS Mataafa was in exile and the!
had no other competent leader the Sa
noans have been quietly nursing thei
wrath.
Matanfa Released.
Mataafa was released from his exile
few months ago and returned 10 Samoa
He Is the legitimate successor u Malie
toa, and the natives will probably mss