The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-01

tho MarshAlls Laupopa was dead; Mataafa was
brought back TO lead tho new rebellion II was
all because one man was not willing TO accept tho
responsibility for delay OF thiry-four days
II the suggestion Of Judge Chambers had been
acted upon. no fault would have been found In
Washington That was proved Just thirty-four
days later. The death Of Laupepa had become
known, and both Washington and London cabled
suspension Of their instructions. But IL was
too atei Mataafa had been brought back 10 Samoa
and he had como back on q German man-of-war
which was prepared 10 support his rebel candi-
dacy for the throne. Tho ounce Of prevention
had not been administered when II would have
been effective.
These incidents parallel tho news dispatches
earlier sent: they inside information which
could not DO released until the Commission had
hnished Its sittinga For the same reason the
narrative win now slip all that has been In print
and take up the no1timporantincident 1t is al
ready well known that Mataafa, whsn he returned
to Samoa to 1.-Two out his few remaining years at
the Val 10 Tama and the cataract Of the Mulivai-
to. suddenly lost his apparent interest in these
sentimental hydraulics. and became King Of
Samoa by tho grace Of tho German officials
After Judge Chambers had rendered the decision
Of tho Supreme Court In accordance with the posi-
tive provisions OF the Berlin Act and had de-
clared Tanumanli the thirteth bearer Of the Male-
toa name and the King Of Samoa, Sfataafa brought
his forces closer about the town OF Apia and drove
out all those who were not Germans or sympa-
thizers with tho GermansL Judge Chambers,
among others. was forced To seek safety ON the
British cruiser Porpoise Tho German Consul
General interpreted this an absence Of the Chief
Justice In tho terms Of the Berlin Act and there
fore installed the German President In succession
The visible token OF tho change lay In tho pur-
~ a hasr nd
secured from tho Deutsche Handles und Plantn-
gems Gesellschaft der Sued SEQ Inseln zu Ham
burg Hauptquatier in Apia, which ought to have
settled II
But IL didn't settle It Judge Chambers Ia not
the man To DO scared by a mere name, no matter
how long In conference with the consular
representatives OF America and Great Britain,
together with the doughty Capt Sturdee Of the
Porpoise, IL was decided that Judge Chambers
should be placed back In possession Of his court,
even II force wero needed. Former dispatches
have given the story Of part Of that operation,
but they have not mentioned tho incident which
almost frustrated the plan. II was time OF great
excitement Tho Germans crowded tho shore;
two German cruisers had their guns trained on the
beach and were in a position to deliver whitening
fire. the forces OF Mataafa were in sight among the
banana groves and massed at the little bridge
covered the approach TO tho court According to
tho plan which had been arranged, the Britain and
American Consuls were to call with their official
boats and escort Judge Chambers from the Por-
poise to the shore In his boat lying the red flag Of
Samoa with Its white cross and star. The British
marines wero to follow Immediately behind in the
shps boats to cover the landing while the cruiser
was to look after the two German vessels
There was no telling what tho outcome would
be: II was scarcely 10 be believed that the land
ing could be effected without conflict in the face
Of this superior force. Tho boats were alongside
the cruiser: everything was ready for the start on
tho perilous mission; sudden delay arose, for
Consul-General Osborn was overcome by the ex-
element and fell in a swoon on tho deck This
seemed TO spoil the plan for Il was essential that
tho United States should Join in the restora ton.
When Mr. Osborn was brought cut OF his faint
he was very weak, he was scarcely able to move
yet something had to DO done There was no ono
to take his place. for tho vice and deputy Consul
General. tho courageous and efficient Mr. Black
lock. was In New Zealand on a business trip Judge
Chambers proposed that all the officials present
should Join in an official certificate OF Consul
General Osborns physical disability and then
let him appoint some American to represent him
temporarily, II might have been DONE yet il
might have afforded tho Germans some loophole
for protest Collecting himself by a great effort
MI. Osborn was able to take his place In tho con-
sular boat with the faithful Tanoa In charge and
TO shove of. British Consul Maxse swung next
into limo with Teo In command, the Samoan who
goes into history al Mary Hamiltons husband.
Then Chief Justice Chambers pulled into the centre
Of tho limo flying the Samoan ensign from the
staff Of Admiral Kimberley's own barge, which
had been lost In tho hurricane ten years previously
There had been a narrow escape. but Il was re-
covered In time, and no ono on the shore knew by
what close shave the plan had been carried out
Side by side tho three boats swept ashore with the
marines close behind and the little party landed
at the copra wharf Of Peter Fabriciua
From the wharf the three officials walked hand
In banda short journey but perilous ono, for tho
Germans drew back out Of tho limo OF fire and the
Mntaafa warriors approached TO q position where
they could sweep tho open space In front OF the
customs shed. The danger zone was passed with
out a shot from the German cruisers, and the Sa-
means did not dare FIRE tho first shot On the
porch OF tho Supreme Court Consul G eneral Rose
with President Rafel. blocked tho way; Herr Rose,
voluble in his statement Of German claims DR..
Raffel silent but expectant Without word the
three officials brushed them both aside and con-
fronted the new hasp and paddock made in Ger
many" Tho actual deed Of violence was accom-
plshed by two deputy marshals--Aleck Willis,
an American. and Jimmie Mackie, a fearless
little Scotshman, one q close personal friend and
the other an employee OF Blackjack. They soon
smashed tho door In and made room for the en-
trance Of the locked out officials The two con-
sular officers escorted Judge Chambers 70 his
bench, and law had been restored 10 Samoa But
It did not go through without protest and that
involves another incident not yet mentioned.
Standing In the place to which the King Of
Samoa had called him. on tho nomination Of
Germany well Great Britain and tho United
States, Chief Justice Chambers solemnly de-
clarod tho Supreme Court Of Samoa open for
such business as might properly DO brought be-
fore It Tho court room was crowded, but that
is not saying much. for IL would DO hard to find
space for the fortieth man when thirty-nine are
already In the room. On the lefth and side of
the room several windows open out on the rear
premises where in peaceful times Chris Hellesoe
bakes bread. On tho other side three windows
and two doors open on the veranda and tho Inih
road, and both the veranda and tho road were
occupied by tho British marines. tho "Jollies"
OF sailor slang. soldier and sailor too"