The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-07-15
WHITE RULE IN SAMOA
: l
German Consul General Bose Dis-
L. cusses the Situation. -
CONTROL OF THE COMMISSION
Promptly Agreed to by the Contends
ing Native Factions-Natives VIII
Doubtless Be Given Consideration in
the Direction Interior Affairs. -.<sA


ing Native Factions-Natives VIII
Doubtless Be Given Consideration in
the Direction Interior Affairs. -.<sA
Washington, July 15.-Consul Gem
eral Rose, the German official who has
been one of the foremost figures In the
recent events in Samoa, called at the.
White House yesterday and was In
troduced by Secretary Hay to the presi-
dent. A brief talk on Samoan affairs
occurred, and hopes were expressed
on both sides that the causes of recent
friction had disappeared. Herr Rose
afterwards saw press representative
and gave an interesting outline OF the
conditions up to the time he left
Samoa. a
Prior to the arrival of the Samoan
commission" said he, IAN armistice
had been arranged with the native
forces Mataafa and his men werae
hack Of line sweeping around the
city of Apia and extending from the
town Of Falenla to Lantii. The Ma
taafa forces numbered about $500 men.
Tanu and his men occupied the pen-
insula jutting out from the mainland
near Apia. They numbered about 1000
men. Both forces were fairly well
armed, but the Tanu men had, in
addition to their old arms, about 700
modern rifles, furnished by the British
ships at the time of the conflict.
1.-The commissioners first turned
their attention to disarming the ma
tive forces. AS soon as they arrived
Mataafa sent letter of greeting 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 as kings, but simply as
Sir AS senior member of the body
the American commissioner, Mr.. Trip,
asked some very direct questions of
Mataafa and Tanu. He wanted to
know if they were ready to give their
support to the commission, even If it
determined to- deny the right of one
or the other of them to the kingship,
or to abolish the kingship entirely.
Serious as these questions were to the
two claimants for the throne, they
promised to support the commission
in whatever action was taken.
"Some days later the Badger went
along the coast to Malie, where Ma
taafa's headquarters were located. Tho
native chiefs came alongside and
formal surrender of 1875 guns WIS.,
made to the commission.
"Mataafa and his chiefs came aboard
the ship, and were entertained at a
dinner. The Tanu party followed
with the surrender of their arms few
days later, for, while the decision OF
the commissioners had upheld Tanu. :.
yet it was felt to be In the interest o.
all concerned that the native kingshir
should be brought to an end. and THAI
an administration by white men, at
least over those localities where white,
interests are greatest, should be
brought about. Tanu yielded to this,
decision, But for time there was
some prospect of trouble, as the royal
flags were kept flying over the Tanu
headquarters, despite the fact taat he
had surrendered the kingship. This
was a source of irritation to The Ma
taafa people, who considered it con-
trary to the understanding arr we'd at.
"Since arriving in this county, how.
ever, l understand that this source OF
difficulty has been removed and that
the Tanu flag is withdrawn and tho
Tanu forces dispersed. The Mataafa
people having also gone back 10 the in
terror with the natives disal ned, ap1
both factors back to their hor es, the:@
is every reason to believe thu no fur
ther trouble will arise, and that the
commission will be free to work out
a satisfactory plan for the future gov
crnment of the islands.
"In determining upon the abolition
of the kingship the commission has tho
of all the leading bus less in
terests in Samoa"
Herr Rose did not wish to discuss
the future government of the islands,
as this might anticipate the report of
the commission. He has o doubt.
however, that the essenti principle
will be the white mans adj lstration
in place of the native XII hip, GER
tainly for those parts VIII foreign
interests predominant VIII at the
same time the natives will be given
proper consideration in the direction
of affairs in the interior of the island.