The record-union., 1899-02-22

As Viewed BY a Correspondent There d
The Associated Press.
Sides With the stand Taken IL
the Controversy by the Gsrmaw
Agents In the Islands, ~
Against the American Chief
Justice and British Consul. /


Justice and British Consul. 1
| SAN FRANCISCO. Feb 21.-An oc-
casional correspondent of the Associ-
ated Press now in Apia sends the fol-
lowing account of the trouble growin0
out CT the election of a King:
/ For some considerable time after the
death of Malietoa the vacant Kingship
gave little concern to the people ofsSa-
noa. for the office had been shorn OF SO
much OF it's Importance during the life
time of the late ruler that during the
past few years he was scarcely in evil
dence at all. Since 1883 Mataafa had
apparently been the popular idol, and
though since 1898 he had been in exile,
his fame had suffered nothing in the
eyes of the Samoans, who eagerly
awaited his return. Had Malietoa lived
these people would probably have risen
and overthrow him without single
wcrd or suggestion from Mataafa, who
probably could not have stopped such
movement had he tried, SO tired were
the people seemingly of the late King
and SC. anxious were they to do honor
| TO Mataafa, who, they considered, had
been unjustly exiled and denied his
rights.
! No district in all Samoa failed to send
influential delegations to express to
Mataafa their joy at his safe return,
and with each party came liberal sup
plies Of needed food and property. Dur
ing the short time that elapsed until
the election took place, it is estimated
that not less than $500 cooked pigs
were presented to Mataafa and his fell
low exiles On the arrival here of Ma
taafa and his fellow exiles, they were
received by the different Consuls with
considerable ceremony, but they de-
manded of him that he and his friends
should promise that, until relieved of
their parole, they should remain in Mu-
limni, small peninsula on which is
located the capital. Such restriction
after SO long an absence angered the
Samoans whom the powers sought to
please by returning their friends
When the subject of the vacant King
ship began TO be discussed though
there were several candidates in the
field, none had any considerable follow
~ E except Mataafa. Early IN oetobs--
*. j. Moors. am American who has con-
stantly espoused the cause of Mataafa.
and who was closely connected with the
late r. L Stevenson in this matter ap-
piled to the Chief Justice and to the
PRESIDENT that the restrictions placed
on this Chief should be somewhat
amehorated; that instead Of being con-
fined to Mulimni he should only be re-
qulred to reside there; that during the
daytime he should be permitted to free
~ visit Apia and other points within
the Apia municipal boundaries. The
President po al
had not the slightest objection to such
an arrangement, but that the matter
rested with the Consuls entirely.
Chief Justice Chambers said in his
reply: Il am much occupied in telling
people that / have nothing to do with
the Chief Mataafa, he having the same
right to aspire to the Kngship as any
other Samoan, and if the people elect
hire as MalietOa's successor in a right
full manner, and according to the laws
and customs of Samoa, why shouldn't
he have the office? As to his move
ments, can say nothing; that is q
matter absolutely with the Consuls. :"
Mr. Moors then applied to the con-
sular representatives, who granted Ma
taafa's request
Shortly after this young Tamasese
came to Apia and announced himself
candidate for the Kingship employ
ing locaa barrister to press his claims.
OF course the friends and relatives OF
the late King sought amongst their fol-
lowing successor to the head of their
family, although it was very weif
known that the late King was accept-
ed many years ago only on the under-
standing that he was to be succeeded
by member of the Tupua family. Of