The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-05-21
SOURCES Of THE TROUBLE
II/HLAM Hall, SyiM S,hom a


Post IatslIlgencer = fkb days ago.
gipes IN interesting account of the
origin and cssse Of tie recent
troubles IN Samoa. Mr. Hail. IS
official Interpreter 1t the y. 5.
consulate in e4pia had excellent op-
porsndies for gathering reliable IN
formation. and Its czree, IS leader
of tie friendly natives led him into
tie very heart Of the fighting. He
syas repeatedly At tie headquarters of
Makzxfa. tie hostile King. and made
tie final appeal to Matazfa and his
high chiefs to support the British
and Americans. He describes Ma
tasfa IS livias Ve.y plainly. not
hedging himself about with any pomp
Or ceremony; fairly Uea educated
man with good exeeuffve ability.
born leader.
As to young Aalietos. H.. Hall
Minks him also 4 strong mon, and
says tie only difficulty a6oot him as
= ruler Is his youth. The San1oaas
are accustomed to assoet,te age and
experience 1pRh tie throne.
Tracing the recent disturbances
back to their fountain head. NJ. Hall
said:
.sThe trouble In Samoa began many years
ago. about the time OF the Barracuda ais
aster In 1851. The BaracutA was British
warship and was called On by the Amer
lean consul tn Samoa TO protect American
and British interests. The trouble grew
out OF the fact that tho German govern
pasnt had secured and granted certain
CONCESSIONS BIZ virtue OF which II was
TO have exclusive trade rights. The man
through whom this was done was Stein
burger, German who Was at that time
prime minister OF tho Islands. Being an
American citizen. warrant was issued
for his arrest by the American consul
and It was handed to the commander OF
tho British warship To arrest Ste.nburger
on behalf Of thu American government.
On the following morning the marines
were landed at Apia under the commander
Of the Barracuda. AT the seat OF govern.
ment. while reading tho warrant for
6teiDhurger's arrest. the native supporters
Of Steinhurser nred on the marines.
woundlnx and killing five or ak OF them.
There were not fewer than so or 40 ma
tives On the spot Tbs marines returned
the IRE. killing ard capturing u number
Of the natives. About ten or twelve OF
the natives were killed and about 800
captured. along with Sseinbarger. All
tho friendly natives. British and Ameri-
cans reading in Apia we're put under
arms 10 protect the town. Steinhurger
was ordered depcrted, and this pat an end
TO tho war.
During the years following the Ger
mans continued openly supplying the ma
uves with arms and ammunition and this
was . fruitful cause OF war among the
natives. In isss German feet reached
the islands. consisting OF five vessels. ana
declared war against Maiictoa and his
followers. who were friendly 10 tho Brit
tsh and Americans. The Germans then
demanded exclusive trade rights In the
islands. al tho same time falsely charging
the natives with fcabing and pa,laEsnv
farms and insulting the German govern
meas.
''At once the men Of war proceeded TO
burn the villages and plantations OF Maiic-
toa's followers. Maiictoa Ned TO the
mountains for protection. Several armed
parties were landed from the German
feet. but were unable to capture Malis-
toa- The Germans declared martial law.
put sentries al the British and American
stores and trading stations. and stopped
all trading BETWEEN the British and Amer
ieans and the natives. accusing the natives
VI being In debt 10 the Germans. They
also levied war tax on the natives for
the support Of the ships lying in the har.
Dor at Apia and for the cost Of the at
tack on Mailetoa and his followers. Their
prisons were fun OF friendly natives.
The German consulate Isx,.ed a premise tn
Maletua inviting hm 10 appear a, the
consulate ou thu following day. stating
that they wished Ia make inquiries %
ham. and plsastng him that IL he would
GENE he should he permitted 10 return
In safety TO hts o.n people. That night
Malietoa called on she British ard Anlsrt-
can e1nsala. They advised hisg 10 go
down 10 the German consulate, but under
no consideration To sign any papers.
rreachery To Malictea.
t'Aimoss immediately upen his appear
snee at the consulate he was set upon by
German marines and pat aboard Gets
man warshp and taken away prisoner
TIE ship leaving the narpor the sane day
"As Malietoa was being dragged srGsa
tie wharf 10 the shsp he called out 10
soase sc his people. ~Teey are ge4ng %
hang me- al the same time calling upaa
Maiaasa IL protect has people and In no
wise 10 s;&n any papers against british
and American interests.
"A day OF twa aftsrwaysi she natives
surposins taeir kiag WAS dead pasated
their taGss. 81 tein clothe. black a. q
token os GourQ lnx. Dispatches we're at
once seas So Asss8tA ey Malsssaa~ sup.
poFtsrss HE immediately so@S command
ef all the natives, Up 20 this ssrne &;
should he understood that Mafaaf& had
t~en secSna in command - AAlsstaA be
sux What shs natives called MSNetaas
hsxs vhtet Ia the aae&n llsae SE.e ss.zgrnans
ses~cte-s eAin<. xsnssSss, promising afss.
ire support og tie whole German nassssa
upon hs$ agreeing 90 certain concessions
waieh gave shr Germans exclusive trade
rights ID tss Islands l'FeslsTss s,a0Sss we're
.ssGea hs the 9.esalag prtHts minister - 10
had hfee agpoiHsed by shs aSFssaa gSs-
srnFaeNt 10 take charge 90 the asVa. gov.
sTnasens under the so-salle& ksag TaHsz-