The San Francisco call., 1899-01-23

cause there was no other warship to
do the work. Before she can go on
another cruise she will probably have
to go on the drydock at Mare Island
The trouble in Samoa is quite old. 1t
has been brewing, with fiery ebulli-
tions from time to time, ever since 1879,
In that year Sir Arthur Gordon, Brit
ish High Commissioner, established
Malietoa King of the Islands of Samoa
He was at once recognized as such by
the American and British Consuls.
Germany pursued a procrastinating
policy.
Whether the Germans wanted Malie-
toa or not at that time was never
demonstrated, but they went to work
in an underhand manner and in 1884
the unfortunate King had become the
complete slave of the German mer-
chants. The latter were backed up by
their Government and Malietoa had to
do whatever they wished. He ap-
pealed to the German Emperor in vain
and then besought Great Britain to an
mex the islands. This brought about
his downfall. The Germans encOur-
aged Tamasese. a high chief, to rebel
and finally Malietoa was compelled to
flee from his capital.
Eventually he was persuaded to re-
turn and give himself up. He was put
aboard a German man of war and de-
ported to New Guinea. Then Tam
asese was proclaimed King by the Ger
mans.
1t was at this time that Mataafa first
came into prominence. He was one of
the principal high chiefs and dearly
beloved by his people. He endeared
himself to them still more by taking
up their cause and fighting the forces
of Tamasese and Germany.
III fl,oN
can swept over the harbor of Apia.
Seven men of war were at anchor in
the bay when the blast struck them.
The United States was represented by
the Vandalia, Trenton and Nipsic. All
were under the command of Rear Ad-
miral Kimberly. The German fleet
was composed of the Adler, Eber and
Olga. England's armored representa-
tive was the Caliope. Within one day
the winds destroyed the Adler and
Olga and piled in a mass of junk on
the beach the entire fleet of the United
States The loss of life was appalling.
it being estimated that two hundred
men perished in the gale, and all on ac-
count Of this squabble for the kingship
Of an island.
Mataafa's war against the Germans
and Tamasese was nagging and har-
assing one. He fought from hills,
from ambush, from ravines and when
the Germans withdrew at last and
Tamasese could no longer successfully
battle for the crown, Mataafa was
chosen King by the people. Even
Malietoa, who had been brought back
from banishment, bowed to the wish of
the people and promised to be a faith
full subject.
The calamity in the harbor of Apia
and the German reverses resulted in
the calling of the meeting of the three
powers-the United States, Great Brit
ain and Germany-in Berlin. A treaty
giving the people of Samoa the right to
choose their own form of government
and elect their own ruler, as soon as
peace and good order were established.
was signed and forwarded to the
islands.
Meanwhile the Consuls were instruct
ed to recognize Malietoa as King. When
this startling news was received Ma
taafa graciously resigned, being content
to await the result of the election,
which he and his followers had every
reason to believe would result in his
favor. On the arrival of the Chief JUS
tice and the president of the council
appointed by the powers, the natives
were informed that Malietoa Laupepa
was to remain King. This made the
natives mad and they took every means
of showing their disgust and openly
insulted Malietoa in the presence of the
Chief Justice.
Many thousands of the natives as
sembled at Malie (four and half miles
from Apia) and there Mataafa Joined
them. Since June, 1890, they have re-
mained there waiting for the election
that, when it did come resulted in the
crowning of Malietoa Tanu. Mataafa
did not care about the Kingship and
owing to his great influence with his
followers he was able to keep the peace
until this second slight was put upon
him by the powers.
Here is an extract from a letter writ