The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-08-07
THE BADGER RETURNS WITH THE SAMOAN COMMISSIONERS.

will remain in the stream a few days and
then go to Mare Island for an overhaul
ing.
Commissioners Trip and Sternberg
came ashore in the afternoon and reg
istered at the Palace. Both were in ex-
cellent spirits, the result largely of the
satisfactory manner in which they have
accomplished the arduouS task of re-
storing peace in the islands.
I'VE left the natives in a very peaceful
frame of mind and apparently perfectly
content to let bygones be bygones and
live in harmony with one another" said
Commissioner Trip. "Of course, we can
not say positively that there will be no
further trouble, but we have disarmed
both factions, and before we left Apia we
We're given the most solemn assurances
by the leading chiefs. representing both
Mataafa and Tanu, that there would be
no more lighting
Baron Sternberg shared the optimistic
pressed his firm belief that the commits
sion had evolved a solution of the fac
tional warfare in the island. rms mas
been largely accomplished by abolishinS
the kingship, which has all along been the
chief bone of contention.
"A white Commissioner will be sent to
Samoa to replace the King and his COun-
Gill; said Judge Trip. He will IN effect
be the Governor of the islands The Chief
Justice will be retained and each of the
three powers will also be represented, as
now. by a Consul.
"One of the principal features or the
new plan of government submitted to the
chiefs, and which undoubtedly had much
to do with their warm approval of the
whole scheme, is the provision granting
eminent. The white Commissioners, while
having general authority over the whole
group of ISLANDS; will not not interfere with
in cases of serious infrac1ons of the law.
The people will continue to be governed
by their chiefs while the latter will be
responsible to the representative Of the
powers for the maintenance of peace and
order.
caused his followers to deliver up their
arms and at the last big fono, or big talk
his representatives presented plan of
government for themselves which was al
most identical with the one finally adopt
ed OF course the plan submitted by Ma
taafa was drawn upon lines outlined ~
us. but his action was nevertheless an
agreeable surprise and showed not only
his good faith but also his good sense and
shrewdpess. When Mataafa's. plan was
nounced that it was perfectly satisfactory
to them"
The Commissioners declined to go into
agreed upon and signed. Judge Trip
said Chief Justice Chambers had been
sustained by the commission, but that he
probably would not return to Samoa. In
regard to the action of Admiral Kautz
! and the British naval officers in Smelling
! the native villages, he said that was a
matter the commission IS body had nc
authority to investigate, but Individually
/ they would deal with the subject in sepa-
rate reports to their respective govern.
ments.
| Commissioner Trip was 10th to discuss
| the exclusive publication of the report OF
the commission as it appeared in The
! Call.
| II knew absolutely nothing of the pub.
! LEGATION of the report he said, until
reached San Francisco. I was dumfounded
when / learned that our findings had al
stand, of course. that it is the business OF
newspaper to seek and obtain important
news, but / hope you will say for me and
| for my associates that we were in no way
responsible for the publication which The
! Call enjoyed.
I'VE took what we believed to be every
| precaution to prevent the public from