The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-31
Recommendations Made by the
Tripartite Commission,
THEIR OFFICIAL REPORT
The Election of King, Rivalries of Foreign
Powers and Lack OF Laws Were
the Chief Evils Under the
Old System


various recommendations regarding the
new form of government decided upon
by them as most suitable for the ISL
anders. These recommendations are
based upon the best features of the
Berlin treaty and include the principal
features of the proposed new treaty as
amended and modified by the commits
sioners. The official report of the COM
missioners and the draft OF the pro-
posed amended treaty are said to be
now on the way to their respective gov
ernments.
The report of the commissioners is as
follows:
We have the honor to submit here
with to the consideration of our three
governments the Enclosed draft of a
modified and amended version of the
act of Berlin. In preparing these
notifications and amendments our
method has been to consider first, what
are the evils which have caused the
recent troubles in Samoa and the gem
orally unsatisfactory condition of the
islands, and, secondly, what are the
measures most likely TO remove or
minimize those evils.
The Chief Evils.
The chief evils may be, in our opin-
ion, grouped under four heads:
First-These which appear to newt
ably attend the election of a king in
Samoa and his subsequent efforts to
exert his authority
Second-Those which are due to the
rivalry of the foreign nationalities be-
tween themselves and the disposition
to take sides in the native politics and
thus increase the importanc and bitter
ness of the disputes which arise.
Third-A large part of the evils have
their origin in the fact that for many
years that there has been no law or
order in Samoa other than native GUS
toms outside the limits of the munich
pality. Murder and other serious
crimes have remained UNPUBLISHED when
committed by persons Of rank and the
supreme court and the national gov
eminent at Mulinuu have been equally
powerless to exert any controlling
force.
Fourth-The insufficient enforcement
of the customs regulations has allowed
inscriptions traders to distribute large
numbers of arms among a native popu-
lation rent by political factions and
ready to fight both one another and
Europeans.
To meet the first of these evils we
have temporarily abolished the king
ship and recommend that it be perma-
nently abolished. The action which we
nave taken tNe matter does not Hp-
pear to have aroused any hostile feel
ing among the natives.
No doubt many great chiefs regret
that they will no longer have an OPP
portunity of gratifying their ambitions
and INDUCING that passion for rank
and ceremony which is innate in the
breast of every Samoan.
But even the chiefs have acquiesced
in the change: some of the most i'm
portant have stated that they think it
is for the good of Samoa, and We be-
lieve that the population, unless worked
upon by extraneous influences (Which
Is, unhappily, not impossible) will as
sent to the abolition without a murmur
and without regret.
Every white man, German, English
and American alike, who has given evil
dence before the commission with the
exception of one or two lawyers, who
had private interests in the case) has
recommended the commission to do
away with the kingship and we may
also refer to the opinion of Sir e. Malet,
recorded in the protocols of the con-
ference of Berlin and Of Mr.. Bates in
his report on Samoa.
A Useless ONCE.
1t seems impossible to say of the
office any good whatever. 1t is COM
paratively modern as an institution.
1t served no useful purpose. In recent
authority or practical powr to even COL
lect taxes beyond the limits of the
municipality and within those limits
his authority was superfiuous. The
greater part of the population was to
all intent and purposes in permanent
rebellion against him and the mere fact
that orders were issued through him
was liable to provoke disobedience in
many districts.
Further, 1t seems impossible to de-
wise any plan by which an undisputed
or even peaceful succession can be Sc
cured. The kingship depends on the
grant of certain titles by certain dis
tricts.
Formerly the claims of such rivals
were decided by force of arms, but the
trainers Of the act of Berlin who evil
IDENTIFY thoroughly understood Samoan
custom and practice in this matter laid
down that questions respecting the
rightful appointment of a king shall
not lead to war. but shall be presented
by decision to the chief justice of Sa-
moa."
Recent experience has unhappiIy
proved that an attempt to settle the
question in this way also leads to war
and we are therefore strongly of the
opinion that the only chance of pre-
venting such discussions in the future
is to abolish the office which pro-
voked them.
In the place of the kingship, we pro-
pose to create a system of native gov
eminent analogous to that which works
successfully in Fiji. The islands will
be divided into certain administrative
districts corresponding as nearly as
possible to those recognized by the
Samoans), for which Of each a chief
will be responsible, and these chiefs
will meet annually at Apia In a native
council to discuss such matters as in
terest them and make recommended
tons to the administrator and coun-
Gil
Native courts will be allowed to pun
ish minor crimes according to native
law and customs and every provision
has been made to secure to the Samoan
population complete independence and
self-government We fear however,
that the same results which produced
rival kings will long continue to pro-
duce rival chiefs, who will claim the
post of provincial governor and create
continual dissension.