The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-03-11
German consul's Story Concerning
Events at Samoa.
SHIFTS ALL THE BLAME
CONDUCT OF GERMANS WAS
ABOVE CRITICISM.
Explains Why DIR. Raffel Closed the
Supreme Court and Why It Was
Subsequently Abolished By the
German Consul : Chief Justices
Story Pure Invention.

patches from Samoa. Herr Rose, the
German consul, in his report of the
events prior to Jan. 4, dated Jan. rs,
says the decision OF Chief Justice
Chambers in favor OF Malietoa Tanus
was bound 10 have a Supplying erect,
inasmuch as in a written statement
dated Oct. 5, 1895, Mr. Chambers de-
clared there was no ground for con-
testing Mataafa's assumption of the
sovereignty if he was elected king.
During the course of the discussion
prior to the outbreak respecting the
measures to be adopted to assure pub
lie security, Mr. MaXse, the British
consul and CAPTAIN Sturdee of the Brit
ish cruiser Porpoise are reported as
intimating their intention of forcibly
preventing any advance Of the Mataa-
fans and to actively protect the Tanus-
ties.
While the Germans only announced
such military measures as were
prompted by the necessity to protect
the lives and property of the whites, the
British guards stationed at Mr.. Cham
bers' residence would, owing to the To-
cality, have been drawn directly into
conflict with the natives.
Herr Rose then relates how he rode
on the afternoon of Jan. ]. TO the Tivoh
hotel, in order, in like manner. to watch
events and how on his way there he
had to traverse a body Of Mataafans to
whom, however, he did not speak.
Shortly after 4, the German consul
continues. he rode with Lieutenant Ere
linghaus. of the German warship Fake,
to Songi and home again. Thus the con-
sui concludes, Mr.. Chambers accusa-
ton that he rode at the head of troop
of Mataafans at 4:30 when they at
tackled the Tivoli hotel is pure inven-
ton" as proved by the written testi-
mony of Lieutenant Frelinshaus. The
consul adds that the first two shots
We're fired by the Malietoans.
Recounting the establishment of the
provisional government, Herr Rose says
DR.. Raffel. the German president of the
municipal government at Apia, by ms
activity soon won universal approval.
and quotes the thanks he received from
the British consul and the captain OF
the Porpoise. Thus. the consul contin-
ues, the provisional government was
already an accomplished fact on Jan. 8.
Relating to the attitude of the war
ships, the consul says DIR. Raffel took
measures for the protection of the Brit
ish mission and he concludes with de-
claring Mataafa did not take part in
the fighting. Moreover. he points out
he was recognized on the English side
by a letter published in the Apia news
papers. According to Consul Rose,
Mataafa was not responsible for the
war, but up to the last endeavored to
prevent it.
CLOSING OF THE COURT.
In another report Herr Rose describes
the events between Jan. 4 and 8. He
saws DIR. Raffel closed the supreme
court on Jan. 3 because he thought Mr..
Chambers was precluded by law from
exercising the functions of chief jus
tice as long as the government was in
stalled contrary to his decision, ana he
remained in Office. After opposing Mr..
Maxse's views, that DR.. Raffefs action
was an insult to the British flag, Herr
Rose describes the forcible opening of
the supreme court on Jan. Z, by Mr..
Chambers and Mr.. MaXse, while the
latter threatened the bcmbardment OF
Apia and the Porpoise trained her guns
on the supreme court. Continuing Herr
Rose says that at the time of the COM
pulsory re-opening of the supreme
court he refrained from applying to the
captain of the Fake to protect Dr.
Raffel. because he did not wish that
EARNED detaehments of two friendly
states should confront one another for
so slight a cause.
Herr Rose next discussed Mr. Cham
bers' proclamation OF Jan. I, declaring
the supreme court to be independent of
the existence of any provisional gov
tween the United States consul, Os-
borne. and Mr.. Maxse, declaring Mr..
Chambers to be the sole lawful chief
justice. even during the existence of the
provisional government.
Mr. Rose continues:
When, aftee consultation with the
three consuls and DIR. Raffel, the COM
manders OF the two warshiDs decided
to establish a provisional government
with DR.. Raffel as the head executive
captain. Sturdee and Mr.. MaXse were
so impressed with the great services
rendered to the English by the guard
at the mission on jan ,, through the
energetic intervention of DR.. Raffel,
that they. overwhelmed him with praise
and were ready to meet his views IN
every way. Owing TO urgent official
business on which DR.. Ratfel was en-
gagged his signature TO the Droclama-
ton relating to the provisional govern
lnent was postponed until Jan 4. When
Dr. Raffel. on Jan. 4, in accordance
with the arrangement, submitted the
draft Mr. Maxse, who admitted that
he had changed his opinion, demanded
the insertion OF a clause relating to the
general act of the Berlin treaty
AT the suggestion Of Mr.. Osborne
the clause was formulated as follows:
BY no provision of the proclamation
shall the rights and privileges of the
treaty power fSpTeSSnh DS CHdliS-
ed or suspended.
Thereupon Mr. Rose remarks: "In my
opinion il was a distortion of the sense
of these words to assert that Mr.. Cham
bers' position. by virtue Of the procla-
nation, remained unaffected by the re-
cent upheaval."
ABOLISHED SUPREME COURT.
Herr Rose then declared, in a proc
lamation dated Jan. 8, that he held that
the retention of the post of chief JUS
tice by Mr.. Chambers during the pro
visional government was Dreclud-
ed by the law, that he con-
sidered that there was a temporary va
csncv. and that the president of the
municipality Should replace the chief
justice.
A third report from Herr Bose. dated
Jan. %, refers to the Grevesmuhi case,
and describes how, on Jan. 10, Greyes-
mull, a German subject, was sentenced
to a fine and imprisonment by Chief
Justice Chambers. The sentence of inn
prisonment became effective forthwith,
and DR.. Raffel, as representative chief
Justice" and by the advice of Herr
Rose, quashed the imprisonment on the
ground of irregularity, and brought
CiI,eyesmuhl to the German consulate,
las the sole competent legal author
ity."
The German consul opened the pro-
ceedings against Grevesmuhl on Jan.
20. and on the same day, considering
The chief Justices interference with the
jurisdiction Of consul to be a note
worthy circumstance and interesting TO
all the consuls.'' he invited his col
leagues to a conference, but they de-
clined to attend.
on Jan. 81 Greyesmuhl was sentenced
70 nav fine of 600 marks. and the
ff,a co.. das-
ADMIRAL KAUTS MISSION.