The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-09

the new King. The decision was received
with ominouS silence by the natives. Within
an hour the consuls. the president and the
German and British captains held a meet
ing. The German consul and president de-
cllned to recognize Tanus and went over 10
Mataafa, who was waiting at Mulnu, the
western portion of Apa, with 5000 men
under arms. until he had surrounded the
loyal troops zoo in number, who occupied
the central portion of the town. The fol-
lowers Of Malietoa lacked arms and am
munition.
In few hours the rebel forces had sur
rounded the residence of the chief justice,
who was guarded by 200 loyal natives, and
Captain Sturdy, of the British war ship
Porpoise. landed twenty-five sailors under
ricaded and the men stood TO arms all
night when the chief justice and
family was taken to the beach. The
correspondent here describes the lighting as
already cabled from Auckland. By the flight
OF Malietoa's men to the Porpoise, the rebels
We're left in absolute possession of the town
All Samoan houses were looted and burned.
White mems houses were invaded and
searched for Samoan property. Trees were
cut down, crops were spoiled dogs and
horses taken away, ana boats either stolen
or destroyed. In this extremity the consuls,
the president and the leading Mataafaian
chiefs came TO an agreement 10 preserve
lie and property and to keep order.
4 provisional government with the presi-
dent as executive head, was approved by all
consuls pending the settlement of the whole
question by their respective governments.
The British and American consuls agreed
TO this provisional government, with the un-
derstanding that it was in no wise TO affect
the Berlin treaty or any official OF the pow
ers or any Office under it, and that the Nal
ietoa people who had been taken on board
the Porpoise should be allowed to go 10
their homes, their arms being retained on
the PorpOise. The first act Of the prOvi-
siOnal government, however. showed the
fixed determination of the German officials
to assume an ascendency in Samoan affairs.
BY public notice the provisional government
abolished the Supreme Court, and then de-
cided that the president was the acting chiet
justice, and that Chief Justice Chambers no
longer held Office. They seized the Supreme
Court and placed new locks on all the doors
Chief Justice Chambers and the British and
American consuls issued a proclamation that
the court would be opened by him as usual
in the morning. Captain Sturdy, of the Por-
poise gave notice that il any resistance to
the opening Of the court by Justice Cham
beers was offered the Porpose would open
fire on the town. Captain Sturdy also APP
pealed to the German captain for assist
ance without avail. Mataafa. upon receiving
Sturdys ultimatum. withdrew his armed
guard from the courthouse and on Jan. I
the chief justice, with guard of twenty
five men, landed. The chief justice and the
two consuls walked to the courthouse, and
after an exciting coloquy with the German
officials, Chambers ordered the door broken
in with a sledge hammer The session of the
court was then held. Three cheers for the
justice and the British and American con-
suls were given by the British and Ameri-
cans. and the crowd dispersed.
All now is quiet, and so far as fighting is
concerned is so up to date. The chief Justice
has sent his family to Auckland and himself
is on the Porpoise. The Germans still in
sist that DR.. Rafael is chief justice. on
Jan. 10 the wealthiest German merchant in
Samoa smashed all the windows in the SUI
preme Court building. He was fined 500
and sentenced to 100 days imprisonment. In
court he insulted the judge and gloried in
the deed. He was sent to jail and late that
night DR.. Rafael, claiming TO be chief JUS
tice, ordered the jailkeeper, Swiss with
German sympathies, to take the prisoner to
the German consul. This was done and the
next day the merchant was fined $50 by the
German consul.
Everybody in Apia is anxiously awaiting
news of action by the three powers. The
action Of the provisional government in de-
porting the Malietoa chiefs is- claimed TO
be in direct opposition to the agreement
made with the consuls. Sixty chiefs were
sent to Mauua, but owing to bad weather
could not reach the island. They were
taken to Tutuiia by the Pago-Pago people
who have declared their allegiance to Ma
Ietoa They tried to capture the guard at
quickly. Everything points TO another
fight among the natives at no distant time.
Part of the Mataafa people are dissatisfied
with the looting and deportation of the
chiefs and are now talking of uniting with
the Malietoa faction. During the fighting
between the natives Mataafa's party lost
thirteen killed and fourteen wounded and
the kings party lost four killed and eight
wounded.
DIR. Kramer prominently connected with
the German legation in Samoa, arrived on
the steamer MoanO to-day and it Is believed
that he brings important advices for his
government regarding the situation in
at a standstil and the decision of the pow
ar Is all that is Dping awaited.