New-York tribune., 1899-07-15
WHITE RULE IN SAMOA.
VIEWS OF HERR ROSE THE GERMAN
CONSUL-GENERAL.
NO FURTHER TROUBLE EXPECTED-woRB
OF THE CoMMIssION-A CONFERENCE
WITH THE PRESIDENT.

WITH THE PRESIDENT.
Washington. July 14-Consul General Rose,
the German official who was Of the foremost
figures in the recent events in Samoa, called
ct the White House to-day and was introduced
by Secretary Hay 10 the President. brief
talk on Samoan affairs occurred, and hopes
expressed both sides that the causes Of re-
cent friction had disappeared Herr Rose after
ward gave an interesting outline Of the condi-
tions up to the time he left Samoa
Prior to the arrival Of the Samoan Commits
sion" he said IAN arnstice had been arranged
with the native forces Mataafa and his men were
back Of line sweeping around the city Of Apia
and extending from the town OF Falenla TO
Lantii The Mataafa forces numbered about
twenty-five hundred men. Tanu and his men
occupied the peninsula jutting out from the
mainland near Apia. They numbered about two
thousand men. Both forces were fairly well
armed. but the Tanu men had in addition 10
their old about seven hundred modern
rifles furnished by the British ships at the time
Of the conflict
The Commissioners first turned their atten-
tion to disarming the native forces AS soon
as they arrived Mataafa sent letter Of greet
ing. and said he would abide by any decision
they might make The Commission then gave
a hearing on board the Badger TO each OF the
claimants for the kingship. Mataafa being heard
one day and Tanu another They were ad-
dressed. not kings, but simply as Sir AS
senior member Of the body the American Com
missioner, Mr. Tripp asked some very direct
questions OF Mataafa and Tanu. He wanted TO
know IL they were ready to give their support
TO the Commission, even II It determined 10 deny
the right of one or the other Of them 10 the
n lfch kinPehiO
Serious as these questions were 20 the two
claimants for the throne. they promised to sup
port the Commission in whatever action was
tcl.en
BOTH FACTIONS DISARMED.
Some days later the Badger went along the
coast to Male. where Mataafa's headquarters
were located. The native chiefs came along
side. and a formal surrender of SO guns was
made TO the Commission. Mataafa and his
chiefs came aboard the ship. and were enter
tanned AZ dinner. The Tanu party followed
with the surrender OF their arms a few days
later for while the decision Of the Commission
ers had upheld Tanu it felt to he the inter-
est Of all concerned that the native kingship
should be brought to an end and tina; an ad-
ministration by white men. at least over those
localities where white interests are greatest.
should be brought about. Tanu yielded to this
decision but for a time there was some pros
pect OF trouble as the royal flags were Kept
flying over the Tanu headquarters. despite the
fact that ne had surrendered the kingship This
was source Of irritation 70 the Mataafa peo-
ple. who considered IL contrary TO the under
standing arrived at.
Sine arriving In this country, however, !
understand that this Of difficulty has
been removed and that the Tanu flag is with
drawn and the Tanu forces dispersed. The
Mataafa people have also gone back 10 the inte-
rior. With the natives disarmed and both fac
tions back TO their homes, there is every reason
TO believe that no further trouble Will arise and
that the Commission will be free TO work out a
satisfactory plan for the future government OF
the islands.
ABOLITION OF THE KINGSHIP
I'm determining upon the abolition Of the
/ Kingship the Commission examined the ques-
ton with great care. The opinion Of all the lead
+ ing business interests in Samoa was secured
/ and this was almost unanimous in favor OF
abolishing the Kingship. The manager Of the
| German company. which is the most extensive
! business concern on the islands, strongly ap-
| proves the plan of having white administration
! The two large American companies. the British
/ business interests and the smaller German con-
Germs also approved the plan
/ Herr Rose did not wish 10 discuss the future
! government of the islands. as this might an
! ticipate the report Of the Commission. he mas
| 10 douht however that the essential principle
will he the white mans administration in place
OF the native kingship. certainly for those paris
| where foreign interests predominate, While al
| the same time the natives Will receive proper
confederation in the direction Of affairs IN the
| Interior Of the island Herr Rose expressed
| hone that his visit here would help TO dlsarn
| anv feeling which had arisen. He VIII remain
| bera several davs going then on trip tc
/ Niagara Falls and other points Of interest be-
| fore sailing for Berlin