The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1899-08-04
SAMOA AGAIN IN TURMOIL.
Prospect Is Good for More Serious
Trouble There Soon.
JUSTICE CHAMBER HAS QUIT.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 30. Samoan
advices, under date of July IA, re
ceived yesterday by steamer Moana
say that the situation in Samoa is one
of great uneasiness, and that the at
titude of the natives is far from reas-
surfing. Several fights have occurred
in different parts of the islands be-
tween supporters of the rivals for the
kingship and natives have been
killed. Nothing seems to have been
accomplished by the high commission
since arms to the number of 400
were surrendered by the contending
factions. Chief Justice Cham bers, dis
satisfied with the support extended to
his court by the commissioners, will
leave to-day for Washington. Their
action 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
supreme court in the kingship case.
The commissioners have been well
received on all the islands they have
visited. At Tuluila the natives were
prepared to accept proposed abolition
of the royal Office and the substitu-
ton of an executive appointed by the
three powers AT Sapotulifia, the
Headquarters of Lanatia. the chief
in
dicating future trouble. At Safune,
the only place where the ma
tives took prominent part in
the proceedings, there was 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 mass meet
ing to-day at Mulinum point, where
the leading men of both sides are dis
cussing the future government OF the
islands.
Last week the chief justice issued
orders to certain towns in Sanali to APP
pear before the supreme court in GER
tain civil cases, where the judgment
of the court had not been complied
with. Chief Lanati ordered them
not to obey, telling the towns
to pay no attention to the
orders of the court, which were
only words on paper. Some
towns did not appear, while from the
remaining ones only ltalietoa men APP
peared. The Mstaafa men openly de-
fed the court. The chief justice then
asked the commissioners to support
his authority with war ships if neces-
sary, and on their refusal he decided
to leave Samoa.
The commissioners expect to sail for
the United States upon the Badger on
July is.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 90. Chief jas
tice w. L. Chambers of Samoa arrived
here upon the steamer Moana,
accompanied by his family. He is on
a four months leave of absence, but
says that his business in the United
States is of such nature that he will
probably not return to Apia.
In an interview the chief justice
said: "All is now quiet in Samoa, but
cannot answer for the future. Both
Mataafa and Malietoa affect to be sat
isfied with the present arrangement,
L: L ~ ha IF lii
vests the responsibility of govern
ment in the consuls of the three
powers. l feel Malietoa is sim
ccre in this. Though fairly
elected, and after election accept
ing the kingship, he never had
ambitions in that direction. AS soon
as the commission arrived he pro-
posed to resign, spirit which later
proved to be within accordance with
the plans of the commissioners, and
have every reason to believe that ne
will live up to his bargain.
'Mataafa is ambitious For many
years he has thirsted for power, and
will not be so easily satisfied. At the
same time he is man of exceptional
ability, is shrewd and l have never
thought the interests of the natives
would especially suffer in his hands.
Eyes, my decision has been sustain
ed by the commission, and it has pub
lished the fact in proclamation.
"With respect to the future 1 can
say little. There is the problem. In
it's work the commission has eudeav-
ored to eliminate from the original
arrangement all features that have
appeared faulty or weak. Those Sec
tions have simply been struck out,
leaving nothing in their places That
will rob the whole document of
proper effectiveness in the tripartite
treaty under which it will have to OPP
crate. l am sure that no government
in Samoa will succeed under such an
arrange ment The sooner the powers
see this and formulate some correc-
ton, the better for all concerned"
All Anthracite Prices to Be RaIscd
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