The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-22

Chnmbers' Decision in taVOr Oh
Tauu-Part Played by the British
German and American COnsuls'
poonIe of Samoa Evidently Sided
with Mataafa-Treatment of the
Vonauished After the Fight.
Con Francisco. Feb. 21.-An occasional
correspondent of the Associated Press
now in Apia, sends the following account
of the trouble growing out of the cleo
ton of a King
For some considerable time after the
death of Malietoa the vacant kingship
gave little concern to the people OF Sa-
noa for the office had been shorn OF So
much of its Importance during the nre-
time of the late ruler that during the past
few wears he was scarcely in evidence at
oil Since 1888 Mataafa had apparently
been the popular idol, and though since
1898 he had been in exile his fame had
suffered nothing in the eyes of the Sa-
means. who eagerly awaited his return.
When the subject of the vacant kingship
began to be discussed, though there were
several candidates in the field, none had
any considerable following, except Ma
taafa. Early in October, Mr. H ]. Moore,
an American, who has constantly espous-
ed the cause of Mataafa, and who was
closely connected with the late R. L. Stew
enson in this matter, applied to the chief
Justice and to the President that the re-
strictions placed on this chief should be
somewhat ameliorated-that instead of be-
ing confined to Mulimni, he should only
be required to reside there; that during
the daytime he should be permitted to
freely visit Apia and other points within
the Apia municipal boundaries. The Pres
ident DR.. Raffel, replied that he had not
the slightest objection to such an arrange
ment, but that the matter rested with the
consuls entirely Chief Justice Chambers
said in his reply:
Il am much occupied in telling people
that I have nothing to do with the Chief
Alataafa he having the same right to as
Pire 80 the kingship as any other Samoan,
bnd if the people elect him as Malietoa's
successor in a rightful manner and accord
tug to the laws and customs of Samoa,
Ehy shouldn't he have the office? AS to
lhis movements, I can say nothing; that
rs matter absolutely with the consuls"
[ Mr.. Moore then applied to the consular
Representatives, who granted Mataafa's
request.
Other Candidates for King.
! Shortly after this young Tamasese came
10 Apia and announced himself a candl-
tlate for the kngship, employing a local
Parrister to press his claims. OF course,
fhe friends and relatives of the late King
bought amongst their following a success
Dor to the head of their family, although
u was very well known that the late
$<ing was accepted many years ago only
on the understanding that he was to De
succeeded by member of the Tupua fam
py, of which Mataafa is the head. Final
W, Tanu, the 15-year-old son of Malietoa,
vas chosen to represent their party, and
an attorney named Gurr was employed to
back him up
In Samoa il is very seldom indeed that
the son succeeds to his fathers titles and
the rule of the tribal lands. These titles
ana responsibilities must be awarded 10
"a tell-grown man, who must, If possible,
oe without a physical blemish. The late
Nahetoa himself succeeded his uncle who,
az the time of his death, had son 10 years
OF age named Faalata
On the invitation from the FaipuIes. or
representatives of the late government Of
Mahetoa, every important chief in Samoa
was summoned to Mumni early in October
ier the purpose of deciding on what sort
OF a rule should be established and who
should be King in case they decided on
having a monarchy
flhdlng themselves with very trihing
support Tamasese and Tanu, at the in
stance Of their lawyers, concluded to form
d coalton putting Tanu forward as the
Ahgly candidate, with Tamasese TO be
ny Gnu 'i'''l'
AHese two candidates were able to delay
matters on Muiimni for weeks. using one
reteAl AFTER another in the vain hope
thew
VINO came there in the interests of Ma
Iala' and they had this advantage. that
u.sr own supporter yearly all came from
Le helShborhoOd OF N)ia, and their sun
PICS We're handy, while the others had
90 draw their supplies. and even their
"ood' from districts in some instances
sixty miles away
Consuls should Have Acted.
finally when delays would no longer
@,uICe' ana hnding themselves totally out
numbered, the Tanu-Tamasese Marty with
"sW from Mulimni and on Nov. "A Ma
,aia was elected King, and FaaIata was
CHOSEN as his successor
az TINS point the chief justices declares
'' 'he consuls should have acted and
I've recognized Mataafa as the lawful
"5 OF the Islands, as there was then
d,, N5loWh opposition for some four or
tbo eGaSs, Wnen the lawyers protested in
nor ta1ro,, - ~N"it tHat the election had
Con-, 'aAeh pace according to Samoan Gus
ls,. is ana that their candidate was the
iul successor TO his father. etc etc.
t. IL; iis tline' and in fact. much earlier,
tbo sal1 that some of the members Of
orio, "onuon Mission Society undertook a
taafo Tut vigorous campaign against Ma
Ga CO because of the fact that he is a
mo- 'noile; about 5000 of the $4,000 of these
'V9ple being Of that faith
~Nou o. article Ill of the Rerltn ven-
era. act, reads as follows. I'm case anv
Tssaoi shall hereafter arise in samoa
men, te ~ the rightful election or appoint
lng ~, ~ hing or OF any other chief claim.
ollty over the Islands, or respect