The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-07-29
Samoan Commissioners Refused to
Support His Authority.
HIS COURT WAS DEFIED
AN APPEAL FOR WARSHIPS WAS
TURNED DOWN.
The Indignant Chief Justice Then
Decided to Leave the Islands
Situation One of Great Uneasiness
Many Fights Have Occurred Be-
tween Natives and Some Killed.

San Francisco. July 2S.-Samoan ad-
vices. under date of July II. were re-
ceived today by the steamer Moana as
follows:
The situation in Samoa is one of great
uneasiness. the attitude of the natives
being far from reassuring. Several
fights have occurred in different por-
tons of the islands between supporters
OF the rivals for the kingship and sew
eral natives have been killed. Moth
ing much seems to have been accom-
plished by the high commission, since
arms to the number of 400 were sur
rendered by the contending factions.
Chief Justice Chambers, being dissat-
isfied with the support extended to his
court by the commissioners, will leave
today for Washington. Their action in
refusing the aid asked for to sustain the
courts authority is said 10 have been
prompted by dispatches received by the
German commissioner from his home
government, which. it is claimed. is
greatly displeased with his recognition
of the decision of the supreme court in
the kingship case
The commissioners have been well re-
ceived on all the islands they have Wis
tied. At Tuluila the natives were pre-
pared TO accept the proposed abolition
OF the royal office, and the substitution
of an executive appointed by the three
powers. At Sapotulifia, the headquar-
tiers of Lanati. that chieftain was de-
hant in manner, indicating future
trouble. At Safune, the only place
where the natives took a prominent
part in the proceedings, there was
fight with axes. knives and stones in
the presence of the commissioners. one
man being severely wounded.
Trouble Between Natives.
The trouble was caused by the meet
ing OF parties of Mataafa and Malietoa
men, who were bearing food offerings
to the commissioners. The outcome of
all these conferences is a mass-meeting
being held today at Mulinum Point.
where the leading men of both sides
are discussing the future government
of the ISLANDS
At Safa>,- on July some Mataafa
men attacked the home of an opposing
chief named Taamui, who, with two
others, was badly wounded. II. NJ. s.
torch went TO the scene. but quiet had
been restored.
Last week the chief justice issued or
ders to certain towns II. Sanaii to ap-
pear before the supreme court in Ger
tam civil cases, where the Judgment of
the court had not been complied with.
Chlef Lanati ordered them not 10 obey.
telling the towns to pay no attention
10 the orders OF the court, which were
only words on paper. Some towns did
not appear, while from the remaining
ones only Malietoa men attended.
The MataafanS openly defied the
court The chief justice then asked the |
commissioners TO support his authority
with warshiDs, if necessary. and on |
their refusal ne decided to leave Samoa |
The commissioners expect to sail for |
he United States on the Badger on |
July Is.
After the return of the British
warship Torch from Safata the |
men there took Offense be- |
,ause the persons who attacked Chief
laamuls mouse on July 4. had not been
'unlshed. and made an attack on some
II the followers of the rival SuateIe.
me being killed and several wounded.
NO of the latter being Sautelle's
ldopted sons. One of these died
alter in the German hospital in Apia,
The warships Torch and Cormoran
teamed again to Safata and arrested
wo Malietoa chiefs and one Mataafa
hief who are now lodged in Jail in
Apia pending the result Of an in
uiry into the matter.
Efforts at Pacifcation.
Mataafa has never been in Apia
ince he visited the commissioners on
he Badger at the time he agreed to
urrender his arms. This he claims he
as done in entirety: and he accepts
'ithout reservation the abolition of
he kingship.
Mataafa complains that Tamasese
nd his immediate supporters have re-
lained in the neighborhood of Apia
-fter his abdication Malietoa Tanu in
ended to go to Sydney and remain
here for some time and the Torch
as at his disposal to carry him as far
6 Fiji where mis- sister, the Princess
aamiui, is living but acting on the
dvice' of his chiefs he decided to re-
lain in Samoa.
President Solf took over office on
une 10, and Immediately had trouble
18th Vice King Tamasese and chiefs
no considered that although Tanu
ad abdicated the kingship they still
instituted a Samoan government. The
were appealed TO and
ley requested the chief justice to see
lie Malietoa chiefs and try and settle {
lings amicably. This he did. and the J
lief left Mulinuu Point and the resi-
ence of the late president, DR.. Solf. !
couples the residence now at a rental. /;
n MRERS TN SAN FRA NrTSCn /.