Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-11
THE SAMOAN MUDDLE
Series Of Reports from the
German Consul,
CHIEF JUSTICES DECISION,
Ii Was Bound, Herr Rose Says, 10 Have
a Supplying Effect.
CLOSING OF THE SUPREME COURT.
Reasons for This. fvOm the German
Point Of View-Chambers's Reten-
Hon Of Omce Regarded as Pre-
cIuded by Law.

from Samoa. Herr Rose, the German
Consul. i'm his report on the events prior
to January 4th, dated January 23d, says
the decision of Chef-Justce Chambers
in favor of Maiietoa Tanus was bound to
have a stupefying effect. inasinuch as in
q written statement. dated October g.
1875, Mr.. Chambers declared that there
was no ground Of contesting Mataafa's
assumption if he were legally elected
King.
During the course OF the discussion
prior 70 the outbreak respecting the mea-
sures to be adopted to assure public Sc
curity. Mr.. Maxse. the British Consul, and
Captain Sturdee, of the British cruiser
Porpoise, are represented as intmating
their intention of forcibly preventing any
advance of the Mataafans, and OF active
ly protecting the Tanusites. While the
Germans only announced such military
measures as were prompted by the ne
cessty of protecting the lives and pro-
perty of the whites. the British guards
stationed at Mr. Chamberss residence
drawn directly into conflict with the
natives.
ATTACK ON TIVOGI HOTEL.
Herr Rose then relates how he rode
on the afternoon of January lst to the
Tivol Hotel i'm order, like many whites,
TO watch events and how. on his way
there, he had to pass a body of Ma
taafans, to whom, however, he did not
speak. Shortly after 4 the German Con-
sui -ode with Lieutenant Frielinghaus,
of the German warship Fake, TO Songi
and home again. Thus, the Consul con-
cludes. Mr. Chambers's accusation that
he rode at the head Of a troop of Ma
taafans at i.30, when they attacked the
TivoH Hotel, is purely invention, as
proved by the written testimony of Lieu
tenant Frielinghaus. The Consul adds
that the first two shots were fired by
MalietOans.
Recounting the establishment Of the
provisional government. Herr Rose says
Or. Raffel Ohe German president OF the
municipal government at Apia, by MS ac-
tivity. soon won universal approval, ana
quotes the thanks received from the Brit
9oise. Thus. the Consul continues, the
provisional government was already an
accomplished fact on January 3D.
ATTITUDE OF WARSHlPS
Relating to the attitude of the war
ships. the Consul says DR.. Ranel took
measures for the protection OF the British
mission. and he concludes by declaring
that Mataafa did not take part I'm the
a no no
recognized as on the English side by
letter published i'm the Apia newspapers.
According to Consul Rose, Mataafa was
not responsible for the war. but up To
the last endeayored to prevent IL.
CLOSING OF SUPREME COURT
In another report Herr Rose describes
the events between January ith and Jan
uary 9th He says Or. Rafrel closed The
Supreme Court on January 9Th, because
he thought Mr.. Chambers was precluGed
by law from exercising the functions of
chief Justice as long as the government
was installed contrary to his decision, aud
ne remained in Office After opposing Mr..
Maxse's view that Raners action Was an
insult Ia the British flag. Herr Rose de-
scribes the forcble opening Of the Su-
preme Court on January 10y Mr.. Cham
hers. and MIR. Maxse. while the latter
threatened the bombardment of Apia and
the Porpoise trained her guns on the Su-
preme Court.
Continuing. Herr Rose says that at the
time OF the compulsory reopenlng or the
Supreme Court. he refrained from re-
questing the captain Of the Fake to pro-
tect Dr. Raffel. because he mad no idea
that armed detachments Of two friendly
States should confront one another for
so slight cause.
RAFFEL PRAISED BY BRITISH.
Mr. Rose continues: "When. after con
sultation with the three consuls and DR..
Ranel. the commanders Of the two war
ships declined to establish a provisional
government with DR.. Raffel as the head
executive Captain Sturdee and MIR HaNse
were so impressed with the great services
rendered 10 the English by the guard at
the mission. on January 81. through the
energetic Intervention OF DR.. Raffel, that
they overwhelmed him with praise, and
were ready TO meet his views in every
way. Owing to urgent social business
upOn which Or. Ranel was engaged. his
signature TO the presentment relating to
the provisional government was post
poned until January 9TH. When Dr. Raffel,
ON January 4th. i'm accordance with the
arrangements, submitted the draft. Mr.
Haxse. who admitted that he had changed
his opinion. demanded the insertion OF a
clause relating 10 the general act OF the
Berlin treaty.
"At the suggestion OF Mr.. Osborne, the
clause was formulated as follows: by
no provision OF the presentment shall the
rights ana privileges Of the treaty powers
be changed or suspended.
Thereupon. Herr Rose remarks: In
sny opinion. it was distortion OF the
sense OF these words To assert that Mr.
Chambers's position. by virtue OF the pro-
CIamation remained unaffected.
CHAMBERSS ACTION ILLEGAL.
Herr Rose then declared i'm a prociama-
tion dated January 9Th t>-i he held that
the retention Of the post Of chief Justice
by Mr.. Chambers during the PROVISIONAL
government was precuded by the law;
that he considered there was tempo
rary vacancy. and that the President OF
the municipality should replace the Chief
Justice.
GREVESMUHL ''ASE.
4 third report from Herr Rose. dated
January 18th. refers TO the Grevesmuhl
case. and describes how, on January 18th.
Grevesmuhl. 4 German subject. was sem
fenced TO IA fine and imprisonment by
rhief-Justice Chambers. The sentence 0f
,nprisonmeut became effective forthwith.
and DIR. Raffel. ''as representative CHIEF
Justice' and by the advice OF Herr Rose,
onashed the imprisonment on the ground
of irregulariiy. and brought Greyesmuhl
to thc German consulate. as the sole
competent legal authority
The German Consul opened the proceed
,,gs against Grevesmuhl on January 10Th
and on the same day, considering the
Chief Justices interference with the ju-
risdiction OF a consul to be a noteworthy