The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-01
SAMOAN MATTER SETTLED.
PEACE AND QUIET NOW REIGNING
IN APIA.
Comnission Gets to work IN short
Order-Gernan Consul Rose Was
Responsible for the whole Troo-
ble-Has Actions Are Repuaiate1.
1913 SECOND AVENUE.

APIA, Samoa, June Is (via San Fran
cisco. June so).-Peace and quiet now reign
in Samoa in marked contrast TO the war
like scenes OF two months ago.
Tho arrival OF the auxiliary cruiser
Badger. on May IL. with the International
commission on board. caused . distinct
change In affairs here. The commission
~. electfng Mr.. Trip chairman and Mr..
Morgan secretary. The commissioners
held interviews. first, with King Tanu and
then with Mataafa- Tanu was not at first
recognized as king by the commission.
Tanu and his chiefs readily agreed to give
up their arms and stated that they were
prepared to accept any form OF government
the commission might recommend. even II
the k.ngship was abolished
The following day Mataafa and his party
came alongside the Badger singing songs
and dying the Samoan flag. The rebels
were ordered to take down the flag. which
they did. The commissioners explained TO
the chief that they had come TO make
peace, and Mataafa said he was tired Of
lighting. as were his chiefs. He said his
party would recognize any government
fixed by the commission, but he preferred
to have king Of Samoa, as 1t was an old
established institution. Maiaafa readily
agreed to give up the guns held by his
party, but insisted that as the weapons
were the private property OF the natives.
they should receive compensa. on for them.
The commissioners issued a proclamation.
stating that the guns would either be re-
turned nr rrcier payment made for them
after all the troubles had been settled
This Of course, means that payment VII
be made as II would be folly 10 return the
weapons. Mataafa's party asked II they
could be represented by attorneys before
the commission. but their request was de-
Med att y
After the Mataafa men had turned in
800 rifles and the Tanu supporters 1900
more Tanu was invited on board the Bad
ger There he was informed that the COM
misstoners supported the decision of Chief
Justice Chambers. and that Tam had been
king OF Samoa ever since the decision had
been rendered. Tanu said that he was
willing 10 do anything for the good OF
Samoa. and at the request of the commits
stoners. resigned his kingship TO them
The commission IL now engaged In writ
ing It's report The abolition OF the king
ship will be a feature OF the report: also
Ana mu nj i 0, 10 be-
by it's council and a mayor. This Will
relieve the municipality OF an official
drawing salary OF $500 year. and
friction In Apia. The judicial and diplo-
matte functions OF the consuls win be
greatly restricted. and the commissioners
and one law court Is sufficient for the
needs OF Samoa
Revenue will be raised by indirect taxa
ton. by means OF increased customs
duties. and the poll tax will be abolished.
The license and tax rates of Apia will
remain as formerly under the treaty.
The supreme court will remain as under
the treaty. An administrator. gov
ernor. will be appointed who will not be
IA subject OF any Of the treaty powers.
He is to be assisted by legislative coun-
Gil OF three. one appointed by each Of the
three powers. This council will iegisate
for the Samoans. and will be aided by n
small body OF representative Samoans.
The governor will have the power OF veto
over all proposed laws.
Chief Justice Chambers wished TO re-
sign his position and return 10 the United
States but at the request OF the COM
misstoners has decided to remain
Many claims have been lodged at the
different consuiates for damage To prop
erty during the past few months. While
not empowered TO take any action on
these claims. the commissioners agreed
that real hardship has been suffered. and
IL ts understood the commission will rec
cInmend the three powers each pay the
losses caused to its own subjects.
on the evening of the queens birthday
British representatives announced that
never under any circumstances would
great Britain recognize Mataafa's claim
70 the kingship-
/. is stated that Baron Sternberg. the
German commissioner is fully convinced
that Consul Rose acted wrongfuliy and
Is responsible for the late outbreak
Conxuis Rose and Mazse are passengers
ON the steamer Aariposa for San Fran
cisco.