The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-03-09
The Situation at Apia Has Some
what Quoted Down.
The Provisional Government Unde + Mataafa
Not a Success.
Tanu Gaining Strength
Every Day, Several of Mataafa's
Chief Adherents Having Gone
Over to His Side-The German
Consul Receives Instructions
From His Home Government to
Recognize the Authority OF
Chief Justice Chambers.


Chief Justice Chambers.
SAN FRANCISCO, March S.-The
steamer Alameda has arrived from
Australia, via Samoa and Honolulu.
When the Alameda left Apia everything
was quiet under the direction of the
provisional government with Mataafa
at its head The Alameda brings the
following under date of Apia, Febru-
airy 22d:
Four weeks have elapsed since the
last mail dispatches left here for san
Francisco concerning the outbreak of
civil war between the adherents OF
Tanu Malietoa and those of Mataafa.
During this time Samoa has been free
from any active warfare. The pro-
visional government under Mataafa has
not been a success. 1t has estranged
the feelings of many of its own sup
porters by the deportation of the Mali
etoa chiefs and the banishing from
Apia of all male Samoan adults who
were ON Malietoa's side.
All Malietoas adherents who were not
deported have been fined, and inof-
fensive natives, the servants of whites,
who had been in no way connected with
the fighting, have been arrested. A
sharp remonstrance from British Con-
sui Maxse, who now has two men-of-
war supporting him, has prevented a
recurrence of this annoyance.
The natives of Tutuila have declared
in favor of Tanu, and thedeported chiefs
arc having pleasant picnic among
friends. Malietoa seems to be gaining
strength every day, and several of Ma
taafa's chief adherents have gone over
to his side. There are not much more
than one-half the people on Mataafa's
side, and it is doubtful if more than
one-third of the population are his act
i've supporters.
Among the British and Americans
here it is not seen how the Powers
can act in any other way than to stand
by Tanu as King. 1t is argued that if
they do not they deliberately break the
Berlin treaty and cast slight upon
their nominee, the Chief Justice, and in
the case of Great Britain and the Unit
ed States. they go back on their Con-
sular representatives here, who have
acknowledged Tanu as King. Mataafa
and the chiefs know all this, and are
most anxious to keep their followers
conciliated and prevent them from
doing anything at present whereby Ma
taafa's chances of being King may be
endangered. Mataafa, himself is per-
picked and uneasy.
The German Consul has received
cable from Germany directing him to
recognize the authority of Chief JUS
tice Chambers. and to withdraw from
the stand he and DR.. Raffel had taken
in regard to the Supreme Court. This
news has discouraged Mataafa, and in
addition the United States Consul has
written him to the effect that notwith-
standing rumOrs around Apia, the
United States has not recognized Ma
taafa as King, and that the Consul has
heard nothing on the matter from his
Government, and is awaiting dis
patches.
In addition to this Mataafa has had
a little trouble with the British war
ship Porpoise. The Porpoise. after
matters had settled down in appear
ance, went for cruise around the
group. When she returned Captain
Sturde found that no natives came near
his ship, and that a taboo had been de-
clared against the vessel. He at once
sent a note to the provisional govern
ment demanding an apology and a
withdrawal of the boycott To this
DR.. Raffel as executive head replied
that the boycott was not against the
man-of-war, but against the Chief
Justice, who was guest on board. A
still sharper note was sent by Captain
Sturde to the effect that he would take
decisive action at once, and the boy
colt was removed. Her majesty's ship
Royalist is now here also.
The Chief Justice, although now rec
ognized by the German Consul under
instructions from Germany is still
being thwarted in every possible way
by the Germans DIR. Raffel was cited
by the Chief Justice for contempt but
declined to come to court. and placed
himself under the protection of the
German Consul He was arrested by
the Marshal of the court, but on his
refusal to go no attempt was made to
force him. The Chief Justice rested
content with having brought the mat
ter to this issue. Herr Won Buelow was
also cited for contempt and disputed
the Jurisdiction Of the court on the
same ground as DIR. Raffel. The Ger
man Consul opposed his protest but
Buelow has nevertheless been sum-
moned to appear in two weeks.
H. Moors, an American, apologized to
the court for writing a threatening let
ter, and was purged of contempt. Herr
Grosmuhl still remains in the German
Consulate, and will not venture out for
fear of arrest by the court officials
Everybody is anxiously awaiting the
decision of the Powers, and in the
meantime it is not thought that there
will be any further disturbance.
The Associated Press correspondent.
shortly after the seizure of the Samoan
Government by Mataafa, had an inter-
view with that noted chief. Mataafa.
when asked why he had been pro-
claimed King, said that Malietoa Lau-
peta, being dead the Samoans had a
right to elect a new King, and he was
chosen According to Mataafa's view,
this was not in violation of the Berlin
treaty, and in the version of the treaty
printed in Samoa there is no stipllla-
ton made by Count Bismarck that
Mataafa should never be King. Ma