The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-05-27
MATAAFA WILL CONFER
COMMISSIONER INVITE HIM TO A
CONFERENCE.
Peaceful Condition of Affairs on Samoa
Islands-Philadelph is Ordered to
Rreturn to San Francisco.

APIA, May 20.-On April 23d Admiral
Kautz and Captain Stuart addressed a
letter to Mataafa, notifying him that
the high joint commissioners had been
appointed, and were on their way 70
! Apia with power to settle all controver-
sizes, and suggesting that-to avoid fur
ther useless conflict, Mataafa and his
people keep beyond a certain line. Tne
letter was delivered by two Catholic
priests. Mataafa replied, agreeing to
the suggestion only on condition that
he had assurances that the cOnSulS or
| the three powers cOncurred. To this the
naval officers replied sharply, regret
ting that he had not seen fit to accept
their generous offer, and stating that
unless he and all his people were out
side the prescribed line by a certain
time, they would open fire on him at s
o'clock in the morning of April 26. TO
this Mataafa replied, agreeing to the
conditions, but regretting that the con-
SulS were not joined in the agreement
Since this agreement, there has been
no fighting and practically none since
April 20. Following the death of Lieu
tenant Lansdale, Admiral Kautz aban-
doned all active aggressive fighting,
Confining himself to maintaining his
position. Captain Stuart, however, hav
ing secured a large quantity of arms
from Australia, was preparing to make
aggressive fighting with the aid OF
friendlies. But the Badger arrived on
May IA, and the three commissioners
Immediately took control of affairs.
They established headquarters at the
International hotel, and summoned be-
fore them number of officials and 9TH
ers supposed to be able to give them
clear idea of the situation. May 10 they
sent a letter to Mataafa, notifying him
of their arrival, and inviting him 10
come before them on the Badger. They
promised to send a boat from a vessel
of each of the three powers, and guar
anteed him safe return to the place
from whence he came, before sundown
of the day he came. Mataafa reply ac-
cepting the offer and he, is expected to-
morrow.
The impression prevailing here, that
the attitude of the commissioners has
put the American and British officers in
rather an embarrassing position. They
have proclaimed Malietoa Tanu king,
saluted him with twenty-one guns, re-
ceived him with honOrS on their vessels,
made war on Mataafa, and now they
have boats crews for Mataafa, receive
him with honors, and guarantee him
safe return, in effect accepting cond-
tions from him.
The Philadelphia is under orders to
sail for San Francisco within a day or
two. The American naval force which
will then be left here, is the armed
transport Badger and the collier
BrutuS.
DIR. Solf, the new president of the
municipal council, arrived here about
two weeks ago. He has not yet assumed
the duties of his office, preferring to
wait for the arrival of the commission
ers. He has conducted himself with
great discretion and has made a very
favorable impression.
The last fighting was April %. 1t was
in re oh afsta Thn fo Fn
forces threatened to advance on Ap1a,
and the British and American forces
with the friendlies, simply defended tine
positions they held.