The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-22
KING MALIETOA'S DEATH
DETAILS OF THE ILLNESS AND DE-
MISE OF SAMOA'S RULER.
Mataafa to BE Brought Back to the
Islands and Placed in Power
Germans Anxious to Annex.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. N.-The steam
ship Alameda, from Sydney. via Auckland
and Honolulu, brought further particulars
concerning the death of King Malietoa.
The Kings death was due to typhoid fever.
He died on Monday, Aug. p, and was buried
on the oath. A large number of natives and
whites attended the funeral. Revs. j. e.
Newell and j. NJ. Arlett, assisted by native
priests, conducted the ceremonies Shortly
before his death Malietoa was removed
from Apia to Vailama, the residence of the
late Robert Louis Stevenson, which is at
considerable elevation on the slopes of
Mount Vaca, where Stevenson was buried.
The change from the sea beach to the more
salubrious locality of Vailima was expected
to improve the old Kings health, but he
gradually sank and died. The aged mon
arch of Samoa was notified that his time
had come, and he accordingly resigned him.
self to his end with the fatalism character
istic of the Polynesian race. In appearance
Malietoa was fine-looking, stalwart man,
with a gray grizzled mustache.
According to a report received, it was be-
lieved at Samoa that if H. NJ. S. Ringdove
had not been at Apia the Germans would
have hoisted the German flag there on
Malietoa's death and have proclaimed the
annexation of Samoa.
Malietoa leaves a daughter, an attractive
girl named Faimoa, who is seventeen or
eighteen years of age and who was edu-
Gated at the London Missionary Societys
school at Papuata, which is near Apia. He
also leaves a brother, an elderly chief. who
lives at Apia
Speaking of Samoan affairs to-day Purser
Smith of the steamer Alameda says: There
is trouble expected there and the Germans
are bringing back TO the islands King
Mataafa in a man-of-war The English
have d gunboat there-the Ringdove. The
British, American and German consuls, the
chief justices and the president of the NUM-
cipal council of Apia have formed them
selves into board OF control pending the
election OF successor to King Maiietoa. of
the Samoan group. Mataafa was reported
by the powers some years ago to the
Union (Tokelu) islands to the northwest of
Samoa, owing to mis- presence in Samoa be-
ing a disturbing political element He was
induced to surrender himself to the powers
on the understanding that ii was for the
The exiled chief was conveyed to the Union
group in German man-of-War, together
with several of his relatives and friends A
recent cablegram from Europe announced
the likelihood of Mataafa being returned
to Samoa and this will no doubt be done as
a consequence OF Malietoas death. Mataafa
and MalietOa were related to each other
Mataafa is popular in Samoa and no doubt
a large section OF the people would be in
favor of his appointment as King.
There are several opposing sections
among the Samoan natives, ore of the larg-
est being headed by Tamasese. and it is said
that each party has nominee for the king
ship. In view of the conflicting opinions
it will be seen that the position of affairs
in Samoa may again become very serious
and that active war may as likely as not
result between the rival parties. During
the war of 1853 the German authorities
nominated the Chief Tamasese as King but
the only authority he exercised was that
backed by the German guns. Tamasese is
still in Samoa, living at Aana among the
disaffected sections, Of which he is the
head"
Among the passengers on the Alameda
which arrived this morning from Australian
ports and Honolulu was Governor Hogg, of
Texas, who has been on trip to the
Hawaiian Islands. He was accompanied by
his daughter. The Alameda brought $S0O0,-
600 for local banks.