The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-07-15
.SMOTHERlNG
CONFLICTS
in SAMOA.
The German Ex.Consul Relates
How Peace was Established
in the Islands
FORMERLY RENT BY FACTIONS.
The King and his Rival Pledged
Themselves to Submit to the
Commissions Decision.

| WASHINGTON, July 14.-Consul
General Rose, the German official, who
has been one Of the foremost figures in
the recent events in Samoa, called at
the white house to-day and was intro
duced by Secretary Hay to the Presi-
dent. A brief talk on Samoan affairs
occurred. and hopes were expressed on
both sides that the causes Of the recent
friction had disappeared. Herr Rose
afterwards saw representative Of the
Associated Press and gave an Interest,"
ing outline of the conditions up to the
time he left Samoa.
prior to the arrival Of the Samoan
commission" said he, ian armlstice
had been arranged with the native
forces. Mataafa and his men were back
Of a line sweeping around the city of
Apia and extending from the town of
Falanla to LantIh The Mataata forces
numbered about $500 men. Tanu and
his men occupied the peninsula jutting
out from the mainland near ApIa. They
numbered about 1000 men. Both forces
were fairly well armed, but the Tanu
men had in addition to their old arms
about 700 modern rifles furnished by the
British ships at the time Of the con-
alct.
"The commissioners first turned their
attention to dlsarming the native
forces. As soon as they arrived Mat
aafa sent a letter of greeting and said
he would abide by any decision they
might make. The commission then gave
a hearing on board the Badger to each
of the claimants for the kingship. Mat
aafa being heard one day and Tanu
another. They were addressed not as
kings, but simply as sir AS senior
member OF the body the American
commissioner. Mr.. Tripp. asked some
very dlrec: questions of Mataafn and
Tanu. He wanted to know II they were
ready to give their support to the COM
mission even 1t II determined to deny
the right of one or the other OF them
to the kingshlp. or to abolish the king
ship entirely. Serious US these Ques-
tions were to the two claimants for the
throne, they promised to support the
commission in whatever action was
taker.
Some days later the Badger went
along the coast to Malic. where Mat
aafa's headquarters were located. The
native chiefs came alongside, and n
formal surrender Of 1875 guns was
made to the commission. Mataafa and
his chiefs came aboard the ship and
were entertained ut dinner. The Tanu
party followed with the surrender OF
their arms few days later. for while
the decision of the commissioners had
upheld Tanu, yet It was felt to be in
the interest of all concerned that the
native kIngship should be brought to
an end, and that an administration by
white men, at least over those locall-
ties where white interests are greatest,
should be brought about. Tanu yielded
to this decision, but for time there
was some prospect Of trouble. as the
royal flags were kept flying over the
Tanu headquarters, despite the fact he
had surrendered the kIngshIp. This was
a source of irritation to the Mataafa
people, who considered It contrary to
the understanding arrived at,
"slnce arriving In this country, how
ever understand that this source of
difficulty has been removed and that the
Tanu flag is withdrawn and the Tanu
forces dispersed. The Mataafa people
have also gone back to the interior.
With the natives disarmed and both
factions back to their homes. there is
every reason to believe that no further
trouble Will arise and that the com
mission VIII be free to work out n sat.
isfactory plan for the future govern
ment Of the islands,
!