The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-07-01

i}te.national commission on board,
caused a distinct. change In affairs here.
'Ebe commission lost no time but went
to 0olk Immediately electing Mr.. Trip
chairman and Mr.. Morgan secretary.
The commissioners held interviews. first
with kiag Tanu and then with Ma
taafa. Tanu was not at first recognized
as king by the commission. Tanu ana
his chiefs readily agreed 10 give mp
their arms and stated that they We're
prepared to accept any formal govern
ment the commission might recommend.
even if the kingship were abolished. The
following day Mataafa and his party
came alongside the Badger. singing
songs and flying the Samoan flag The
rebels We're ordered to lower the flag.
which they did. The commissioners
explained to the chief that they had come
to make peace. Mataafa said he and
his chiefs were tired of fighting He
said his party would recognize any
government fixed by the commissions but
he hoped to have a king Of Samoa.
as it was an old established instItu-
ton. Mataafa readily agreed to give
up the guns held by his party. but -ilt
sisted that as the weapons were the
private property of the natives, they
should receive compensation FOR them.
The commissioners issued a proclama
tion stating that the guns would either
he returned or proper payment made
for them after all the troubles had been
settled.
This of course means that payment
viii bo MAJ 10 aS II wpul1 ho folly IN rs-
turn the weapons.
Mataafas party also asked 10 he rep
resented by attorneys before the COM
mission but the request was denied.
After Mataafa's men had turned in
! 500 rifles and the Tanu supporters
two thousand more Tanm was invited
on board the Badger. There he was
informed that the commissioners sup
ported the decision of Chief Justice
Chambers and that Tam had been king
Of Samoa ever since the decision had
been rendered. Tam said that ne was
willing to do ANYTHING for the good Of
Samoa and at the request of the com
missioners resigned his kingship to them.
The commission is now engaged in
formulating it's report. The abolition
report. also the abolition of the office
of President of Apia. This municipality
is to be governed by a council anl
MAYOR This will do away with an Off
cial drawing $1,000 year and whose
office in the past has been source OF
much friction here.
The judicial and diplomatic functions
of the consuls will be greatly restricted
and the commissioners recognize thd
fact that the supreme court and one
law are sufficient for the needs o.
Samoa Revenue will be raised by I'M
direct taxation and by means of in1
creased customs duties. The poll tar
will be abolished.
The licenses and tax rates of Apid
will remain as formerly under th9
treaty The Supreme court will rel
main as under the treaty.
An administrator or Governor Will bi
appointed who will not be snbjeci
Of any of the treaty powers. He i
to be assisted by a Legislative counct
of three. one appointed by each of TIN
three treaty nOwers.
This council will legislate for the ST
means and will be aided by a small
body of representative Samoans. Tlf
Governor will have the power OF ve1
over all proposed laws.
Chief Justice Chambers wishes to n
sign his position and return to the Uni
ted States. but on the request of tip
commissioners has decided to remain.
Many claims have been lodged at tf
different consulates for damages p
property during the past few MONTH.
While not empowered to take any NJ
ton on these claims the commfssioIfef
agreed that real hardship had been SUI
fered ard it is understood the c0mmif-
sion will recommend that the thren
powers each pay the losses caused y
its own subjects.
On the evening of the Queens birth
day the British representative announced
that never under any circumstances
would Great Britain recognize Mataa-
fa's claim to he the king.
Some OF the rebels. dissatisfied with
the proclamation providing for a pro-
visional government, have declined TO
give up their rifles.
Mataafa disclaims any responsibility
for their action.