The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-19
WE ARE INSULTED.
An Insult to the Samoan Court
Is an Insult to the
United States.

Auckland. N. T., Jan. 19.-Further par
ticulars regarding the disturbances at
Samoa show that Mataafas followers
numbered about 500 and that the adher-
ents of Melietoa Tanus were only
about 1, 900. There was two hours fight
ing between the rival forces during
which several of the warriors were de-
capitated.
The American consul issued a procla-
nation claiming that the Berlin treaty
had the same force as law of congress
of Samoa is therefore equivalent to an
insult to the government at Washing
ton.
THE PHILADELPHIA TO GO.
Washington, Jan. 19.-The navy de-
partment has prepared orders for the
gnoa at once to represent the United
States interests there. The Philadelphia
is due at San Diego next Sunday from
Acapulo Meanwhile If any vessel more
quickly available can be found, one of
Dewey's fleet for instance, it will be or
dered at once to Samoa to answer the
urgent appeal of the United States con-
sui there.
The commander of the Philadelphia
will act in conformity with the instruc-
tions of the United States consul so far
as these instructions are in line with
the treaty of Berlin, which the Unit I'd
forced until amended. 1t would take
the Philadelphia about 16 days to make
the run from San Diego to Apia, touch
ing Honolulu for coal.
One resource open to the navy de-
partment is to send the Oregon to
Samoa. She left Callao on the 18th
instant and should reach Honolulu
about February 8, where she can be in
tercepted with orders by the dispatch
boat Iroquois now at San Francisco.
The big battleship Iowa is due at San
Francisco just about the same date that
the Oregon is due at Honolulu, so that
the Pacific coast will not be left entire
ly without naval forces.
While the attention of the public has
been of late drawn from the Samoan
islands, to other more important sub
jectS, it appears that interesting events
have been succeeding one another with
rapidity on the islands.
GERMAN OFFICIALS RESPONSE
BILE.
1t has been realized for a long time
past that there was need for modifica-
ton of the terms Of the tripartite treaty
by which we assumed joint guardian
ship with England and Germany, but
up to this point it has not been possible
to get all three of the powers to agree
upon any project Negotiations have
been on foot for some time in relation
to the succession to the Samoan throne
and it is calculated to lead to i'll feeling
at least that the German officials should
resort to coup d'etat at this stage of
the negotiations. Much of the response :
bility for the arbitrary action must rest
upon Rafael, the German president of
the municipal council at Apia whose
troublesome attitude of late has led to
remonstrance on the part of the other
powers.
There has been an understanding that
he was to be removed to another scene
of activity and the suppositioH is that
getting wind of this intention, he has
precipitated a crisis before his govern
ment could reach him with orders.
Auckland is 1900 miles distant and
this lack of communication makes the
situation more perilous than it would
be otherwise. The United States, Great
Britain and Germany it is believed.
could easily reach a satisfactory solu-
ton of the crisis in Samoa if they could
deal with the subject themselves in the
usual course, but there is some fear of
ill-considered action on the part of some
of the agents of these governments in
Samoa before they can receive instruc-
lions from their governments. The in
terests of the United States are in the
hands of MI. Lloyd w. Osborne, in whose
discretion the state department repoSeS
great confidence.
ARRIVES AT SAN DIEGO.
San Diego, an.19.-The United States
ship Philadelphia with Admiral KautZ
on board, arrived here this morning
oil