Arizona republican., 1899-08-14
Bartlett TrippDiSCusses the Work
Of the Commission.
GOOD RUSULTS ATTAINED
How The Rival Kings Came to Sur
render Their ArmS-The New
Order of Things was Brought
About by Nice Piece of DIpIo-
macy II is Believed That II viii
Be Approved by the Natives.

/ Washington, Aug. 13.-In the letter
accompanying the report of the
| Samoan commission received at the
state department yesterday, Mr.. Bart
lett Trip says:
The commissioners on their arrival
at Apia May 13 last, saw at once that
| the natives would have to be disarmed
if peace was to be restored and the
commission placed in a position ito ac-
complish anything definite All the
white people on the island, including
the naval officials and the mission
aries, though disarmament was impos-
sible. The commissioners made up
their minds 10 have it done. Mataafa
and his chiefs were sounded on the
subject. They were told THAT the
1alietoa Tanu people would be COM
PEELED 20 give up their arms if they
did SO. Negotiations were carried on
quietly, but in a determined way.
The Mataafa people wanted to
know if they would receive pay for
their guns. We had no power to re-
imburse them. We promised, how
ever, that after peace was established
and we returned home that they should
be compensated for their arms or the
latter would be restored to Them.
ION May 81 last the Mataafa people
surrendered to us 200 guns. General
surprise was expressed at their ac-
tion. The AIalietoa Tanu faction
day later surrendered their arms. the
latter including 700 rifles from the En-
glish man-of-war at Apia The Ma
taafa people soon came I'M with the
remainder of their weapons. The COM
missioners will recommend that the
natives be paid for the guns.
Nov. as to the form of government
the commissioners have decided upon
for the Samoan islands, we think we
have accomplished something definite.
cannot talk about what We have
agreed upon. Only three copies of
TIE proposed form of government are
i'll existence. These are in the posses
sion of the three commissioners, and
are intended for their respective gov
ernments. While i'm general way
some of the features of this proposed
form of government are known, it is
not true that the document has been
given out for publication here or any
where else.
''I'he proposed government provides
for Hvhite man as administrator of
the island-the governor general, in
other words. He will take the place
of a Samoan king. Much of the
trouble in the islands has been due to
thief act that the natives have always
tary king. The natives realize thal5
fact themselves. AIalletoa having re-
signed as king. that troublesome propo
sitiOn is now>at an end. By having a
White administrator in supreme control
t is the hope of the commission that
>eace will be permanent in the islands.
There viii also be consular representa-.
ives. but their authority will be more
than at present. The ma
ives will BE- allowed local self-govern-
nent. The idea of the commissioners
s to let the natives govern themselves
IS far as possible.
I'VE believe that the government we
ave recommended meets with general
on the part of the natives.
-ne three drafts or copies we have
re signed by thirteen Mataafa chiefs
nd 4 like number of Malietoa head
lsn. Before drafting the scheme we
isfted every district and island save
lanua. Some chiefs from the latter
'land were seen. In all the districts
leeting We're held where We eX-
hanged views With the natives. Many
oOd Suggestions were obtained in this
-ay. Finally Il big council was held
n that occasion 450 chiefs met us.
here was an equal number from the
Iataafa and MalietOa factions 1t
as Il unique and picturesque gather
lg.
''LaU;i. Il Mataafa chief read
ngthy comment, embodying his views
) to form of government 1t con-
lined many points we have already
ecidad upon. This coincidence was
III strange, because of the fact that
e had previously exchanged views
it'll the natives as to what was best
Il them. 1t was the day following
is meeting that twenty-siX chiefs,
irteen from each faction. signed our
Continued on Eighth Page.)