The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-01
PEACE REIGNS in SAMOA
King Tanu and Mataafa Gave Up Their
Arms Readily.
INDIRECT TAXATION WAS ABOLISHED
bors-Chief Justice Chalmers
Wishes to Resign.

Apia, Samoa, June 16, via San Francisco.
June 3o.-Peace and quiet now reign in
Samoa in marked contrast to the warlike
scenes of two months ago. The arrival
OF the auxiliary cruiser Badger May 10,
with the International commission on
board caused distinct change in affairs
mere The commission lost no time but
went TO work Immediately, .electing Mr..
Iripp chairman and Mr. Morgan secretary.
The commissioners held Interviews. first
with King Tanu and then with Mataafa.
ianu was not at first recognized as king
py the commission. Tanu and his chiefs
readily agreed to give up their arms and
stateu tnat they were prepared to accent
any FORMAL government the commission
might recommend, even If the ktneshp
was abolished. The following day Ma
taafa and his party came alongside the
Badger singing songs and flying the Sa
moan flag. The natives were ordered to
take down the nag, which they did. The
commissioners explained to the chief thai
tney had come to make peace and Ma
taa1a said he was tired Of fighting as were
MS chlets. lie said his party would rec
osnize any government fixed by the COM
mission, but he hoped to have a king of
samoa, as 1t was an old established in
stltution, Mataafa readily agreed to give
up the guns held by his party, but in
sisteu as tho weapons were the private
property OF the natives, they ishould re-
cel"e compensation for them. The COM
mlssioneTs issued proclamation stating
that the guns would either be returned or
proper payment made for them after all
trouble had been settled. This of course
means that payment Will be made, as it
would be folly to return the weapons.
Mataafas party also asked If they could
De represented by an attorney beforeA the
commission, but their petition was de-
MED. After the Mataafa men had
Turned In 200 arms and the Tanus
2UoO more, the deposed king was in
vited on board the Badger lie was in
formed that the commissioners had sup
ported the decision of Chief Justice Cham
oeis and that Tanu had been king of Sa-
moa ever since the decision had been rem
dereu. Tanu said he was willing to do
anything for the good of Samoa and at the
request OF the commissioners resigned his
Elngship to them. The commission is now
engaged in writing Its report, also the
abolition of office of president. Apia, a
municipality, ie to be governed by its
council and mayor This Will relieve the
municipality of an official drawing a SAL
airy or $1,000 year and who In the past
mas been only source of friction in Apia.
ihe Judicial and diplomatic functions
or the consuls will be greatly restricted
and the commissioners recognize the fact
mat the supreme court and one law is
suIhclent for the needs OF Samoa
Revenue which had been raised by indi>
rect taxation by means OF customs duties
and the poll tax will be abolished. The Ii
censes and taxes has been already ar
ranged under q treaty.
An administrator for governor will be
appointed who will not be subject of any
or the treaty powers. He is to be assisted
by a legislative council of three, one, ap-
pointed by each Of the three powers. This
council will legisate for the Samoans, who
who viii have a representative in the
body. Chief Justice Chambers wishes to
resign his position aud return to the
United States. but on the request of the
commissioners he has decided to remain.
Many claims have been lodged at the diff
ferent consulates for damages to property
during the past few months. The COM
mission will recommend that the three
powers pay the claims of it's own SUBJECTS.
Consuls Rose and ..aXse are passengers
on the steamer Mariposa for San Fran
cisco.
Some of the natives, dissatisfied with
the proclamation providing for a provi-
sional government, have declined to give
up their rifles. Mataafa disclaims any re-
sponsbility for this action and said 1t
was without his consent.