The record-union., 1899-07-29
The Situation in tbe Islands One Of
Great UneasinesS.
Several Fights Between the Supporters Of
the Rivals for the kingshlp.
Chief Justice Chambers Returns
From the Islands, Being Dissat-
isfied With the support Extend
ed to His Court by the High
Commissioners.

ed to His Court by the High
Commissioners.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 2S.-Samoan
advices, under date of July 14th, were
received to-day by the steamer Moana
as follows:
The situation in Samoa is one of
great uneasiness, the attitude of the
natives being far from reassuring. Sew
eral fights have occurred in different
portions of the islands between sup
porters of the rivals for the Kingship,
and several natives have been killed.
Nothing much seems to have been ac-
complished by the High Commission
since arms to the number of 400 were
surrendered by the contending fac
lions. Chief Justice Chambers, being
dissatisfied with the support extend
ed to his court by the Commissioners
left to-day for Washington. Their ac-
ton in refusing the aid asked for to
sustain the courts authority is said
to have been prompted by dispatches
received by the German Commissioner
from his home Government, which it is
claimed, is greatly displeased with his
recognition of the decision of the Su-
preme Court in the Kingship case.
The Commissioners have been we'll
received on all tn islands they haze
visited. AT Tuluila the natives We're
prepared to accept the proposed aboli-
ton of the royal office and the substi-
tuition of an executive appointed by the
three Powers. At Sapotulifia, the head
quarters of Lanati,' that chieftain was
defiant in manner. indicating future
trouble. At Safuno, the only place
where the natives took a prominent
part in the proceedings, there was 4
fight with axes, knives and stones in
the presence of the Commissioners, one
man being severely wounded. The
trouble was caused by the meeting of
parties of Mataafa and Malietoa men.
who were bearing food offerings to the
Commissioners.
The outcome of all these conferences
is a mass meeting being held to-day at
Mulinum Point. where the leading men
of both sides discussed the future gov
eminent of the islands.
At Safata on July 4th some Mataafa
men attacked the home of an opposing
chief named Taamui. who with two
others, was badly wounded. The H.
M. S. Torch went to the scene, but
quiet had been restored.
Last week the Chief Justice issued
orders to certain towns in Sanaii to
appear before the Supreme Court in
certain civil cases. where the judg-
ment of the court had not been-com-
cd with fNhiof oa
not to obey, telling the towns to pay
no attention to the orders of the court,
which were only words in paper. Some
towns did not appear, while from the
remaining ones only Malietoa men at
tended. The Mataafa towns openly de-
fed the court. The Chief Justice then
asked the Commissioners to support
his authority with warships, if neces-
sary, and on their refusal, he decided
to leave Samoa.
The Commissioners expect to sail for
the United States on the Badger on
July 10th,
After the return of the British war
ship Torch from Satafa the Malietoa
men there took offense because the
persons who attacked Chief Taamui's
house on July 4th had not been pun
ished and made an attack on some of
the followers of the rival chief Suatele,
one being killed and several wounded,
two of the latter being Suatele's adopt
ed sons One of these died later in the
German Hospital in Apia.
The warships Torch and Cormorant
again to Safata and arrested
two Malietoa chiefs and one Mataafa
obi x,rhn IN, II
Apia pending the result of an injury
into the matter. The men-of-war at
present here are Tauranga, Torch and
Cormoran.
Mataafa has never been in Apia since
he visited the Commissioners on the
Badger at the time he agreed to sur
render his arms. This he claims he
has done in entirety and he accepts
without reservation the abolition of the
Mataafa complains that Tamasese
and his immediate supporters have re-
manned in the neighborhood of Apia.
After his abdication Malietoa Tanu
intended to go to Sydney and remain
there for some time, and the Torch
was put at his disposal to carry him
as far as Fiji, where his sister, the
Princess Faamiui. is living, but act
ing on the advice of his chiefs, he de-
cided to remain in Samoa.
President Solf took office on June
10TH and Immediately had trouble with
Vice King Tamasese and chiefs, who
considered that although Tanu had alb
Dictated the Kingship they still con-
stituted a Samoan Government. The
Commissioners were appealed to, and
they requested the Chief Justice to see
the Malietoa chiefs and try and set
tie things amicably. This he did. and
the chief left Mulinuu Point and the
residence of the late President. DR.,
Solf occupies the residence now at a
rental
JUSTICE CHAMBERS TALKS.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 2S.-Chief
Justice w. L. Chambers of Samoa ar
rived here to-day on the steamer
accompanied by his family. He
is on a four-months' leave of absence,
but says that his business in the Unit
ed States is of such nature that he
will probably not return to Apia In
an interview, the Chief Justice said:
'sAll is now scuiet in Samoa, but T
answer for the future. Both
and Malietoa affect to be sat
SIZED with the present ARRANGEMENT.
which abolishes the office of King and
rests the responsibility of Government
in the Consuls of the three Powers 1
feel sure Malietoa is sincere in this.