The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-20

officials Take Refuge ON Bridsh War.
s~hlp-Apia Burned by R~ebcis-Ger-
man Representatives Aiding the
Rehela

Rebels
Auckland. y. T.. January I~I-Samoan
advices just received here say that
Chief Justice Chambers on December
31st declared Malietoa Janus to have
been elected king, in succession OF the
late King Malietoa. The chief justice
also announced that Tamasese had
been elected vice king. Chiee Mataafe
was disqualified.
The consuls OF the United States and
Great Britain and the captains OF the
German warship Fake and the British
warship Porpoise met the German con-
sui. who refused to recognize Malietoa
Tanus and declined 10 cooperate in the
dispersal OF the 'Samoans, who there
upon in large number at
Mulinu. armed themselves and sur
rounded the municipality. Malietoa
Tanus and Tamasese mustered about
1900 men, we'll armed, but supplied
with defective ammunition. The Brit
ish and American consuls e~ndeavored
to avert hostilities, but they commenc-
ed on January LIST. Malietoa Tanus
and Tamasese fought bravely, but 500
of their followers were captured. Then
d~isheartened and outnumbered, the two
chiefs sought refuge on the British
warship and their followers sought
pIOlcCllOi uiuSi IA tdhS VI N"S
poise.
Mataafe's loss was sixty-one men
Killed and and Malietoa TanuS
lost twelve men killed and wounded.
The foreign residents were placed
Under the protection OF a detachment
OF men belonging TO the British ship,
and Chief Justice Chambers and his
family went on board OF her.
The followers OF Ma:aafe looted and
burned Apia, destroyed the plantations
and pillaged considerably in the
try.
The consuls. later, decided to recog-
nize Mataafe and his chiefs as a pro-
visionai government, pending the re-
ceipt OF Instructions from the powers
Afterward DR.. Ratfel and the German
consul, closed the supreme court, de-
clarins that the power was vested in
them. The British and American con
suls then appealed tO the captain OF
the British warship P>rpoIse. who
landed a force of bluej3lcksts and Chief
Justice Chambers. under their guard,
took his seat The British and Ameri-
can flags were hoisted over Chambers
house and the courthouse. Mataafe
held aloof from these developments.
h provisional government wrote to
Sturdee, on the 18th. that they would
seize Malietoa and take TarIasese of
the Porpoise by force IL necessary, de-
prive them OF their titles and desert
them. is residing on the
Porpoise. The British and American
consuls have protested against any in
.fringement of the Berlin treaty. Brit
ish residents nave taken refuge In their
consulate and the American residents
have taken refuge in the mission. An
American warship is urgently needed
here.
Washington, January 1s.-The situa-
ton in the Samoan islands is realized
here TO bs full of gravity. For some
time past there has been an exchange
of correspondence between the three
governments. parties to the treaty OF
Berlin, respecting the choice OF A sue
cessor TO the late King Malietoa and
some friction developed, win TO the
strict adherence OF the United States
government to the terms OF the treaty.
The statements in the dispatch from
Samoa are not regarded here as con-
elusive for the reason that they are in
conflict with the provisions of the
trea ty.
If. as reported. Raffel, the president
of the municipal council at Apia. and
the German consul have seized the SUI
pre- me court and pronounced them
sci yes practically dictators. IT lis said
here that they have violated the treaty
alb solutely. The functions of the mes-
ident Of the municipal council are al
re ady defined by the treaty and the
last advices received were to the effect
uhat President Rafel had been rante
leave OF absence and intended to- visir
New Zealand. II was also understood
thax his successor had been selected
anoSi ii was thought was on his way To
his post. The chief Justice under tho
treaty is made the court OF last. resort
under any circumstances. and. more
over, the treaty in terms provides dis
tioetly that in case OF any dispute be-
txeen the natives themselves or be-
tween the foreigners in Samoa, that
dispute SHAH be referred TO the chief
justice n his decision shall be final.
1t was krown here that the British
and American consular officers at Apia
have been acting in accord in the pres
ent involved political situation there.
m although the interests Of the Unit
ed states may not compare with those
| or Germany, yet their rights under the
treaty are equal. and it may be stated
they viii be maintained.