Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-08
NEW RULE IN SAMOA
Bartlett Trip Discusses the Work
of the Commission.
SATISFACTORY RESULTS ATTAINED
How Rival Kings Came to Sur
render Their Arms.
NICE PIECE OF DIPLOMACY

Bartlett Trip and Baron Sternberg. the
American and German members of the
Samoan commission. arrived in San Fran
cisco Sunday on the T. s S Badger
On board the Badger are $500 rifles which
the commissioners took from the followers
of Mataafa and Malietoa Tanu. In speaking
about these arms Mr.. Tripp said:
The commissioners on their arrival AT
Apia May Ii last saw at once that the ma
tves would have to be disarmed IL peace
was TO be restored and the commission
placed in position to accomplish anything
definite. All the white people on the island.
including the naval officials and the mis-
sionaries. thought disarmament was impos-
sibie- The commissioners made up their
minds to have it done. Mataafa and his
chiefs We're sounded on the subject They
We're told that the Malietoa Tanu people
would be compelled to give up their arms
II they did so. Negotiations We're carried
on quietly. but in a determined manner.
The Mataafa people wanted 10 know IL
they would receive pay for their guns We
had no power to reimburse them We pron-
lsed, however, that after peace was estab-
nshed ana we returned home that they
shoulu De compensated for their arms or
the latter would be restored TO them
Mataafans Give Up First.
"On May 81 last the Mataafa people sur
rendered to us 200 guns General surprise
was expressed at their action. The Ma!ietoa
Tanu faction a day later surrendered their
arms. the latter including 200 rifles from
the English man-of-war at Apia The Ma
taafa people soon came in with the re-
mainder of their weapons. The commits
sioners will recommend that the natives be
paid for the guns
Now, as to the form of government the
n < I.,1g
Samoan Islands. We think we have accom-
plshed something definite. | cannot talk
ABOUT what We have agreed upon. Only
three copies of the proposed form of gov
eminent are in existence. These are in the
possession of the three commissioners and
are intended for their respective govern
ments. While in a general way some of the
features of this proposed form of govern
ment are known. it is not true that the doc
ument has been given out for publication
here or anywhere else.
The proposed government provides for a
white man as administrator of the island
the governor general, in other words. He
will take the place of a Samoan king
Much of the trouble in the islands has been
due to the fact that the natives have al
ways had an elective instead of an heredi-
tary king The natives realize that fact
themselves. Malietoa having resigned As
king. that troublesome proposition is now
at an end. BY having a white administra-
tor in supreme control Ii is the hope of the
commission that peace will be permanent
in the islands. There will also be consular
representatives. but their authority will be
more curtailed than al present. The natives
will be allowed local seif-government. The
idea of the commissioners is to let the
tives govern themselves as far possible
Plan Approved by Natives.
1--WE believe that the government we have
recommended meets with general approval
on the part of the natives. The three drafts
or copies we have are signed by thirteen
Mataafa chiefs and-a like number Of Malie-
toa head men. Before drafting the scheme
we visited every district and island save
Manua- Some chiefs from the latter island
were seen. In all the districts meetings
were held, where We exchanged views with
the natives. Many good suggestions were
obtained in this way. Finally big coun-
ell was held. On that occasion $50 chiefs
met us. There was equal number from
the Mataafa and Malietoa factions. II
a unique and picturesque gathering.
''Lauti, a Mataafa chief. read a lengthy
comment. embodying his views as to a
form of government. II contained many
points had already decided upon. This
coincidence was not strange, because Of
the fact that we had previously exchanged
views with the natives as to what was
best for them. 1t was the day following
this meeting that twenty-six chiefs, thir-
teen from each faction, signed our three
drafts of the proposed government. The
plan will have to be ratified by the three
governments before it is enforced
Chief Lauti is a fine orator. He would
rank as an orator in any country. Chief
Fati of the Malietoa following is also
able speaker. Chiefs Lemanu and Won can
also be placed in the same category. When
Chief Lemanu babe goodbye he re-
marked:
Promised to Keep His Word.
You are not going back home to make
fools of yourselves He explained this
somewhat singular remark by saying: You
will tell your people that you made peace
at Samoa. We do not want TO disappoint
you. We will keep our word with you. We
will keep peace
Chief Jemanu belongs to the Mataafa
following
Mr.. Trip admitted that Chief Justice
Chambers had returned to this country
with the intention of resigning. He denied
that there had been any friction between
Justice Chambers and the commission. and
insisted that all along there has been the
utmost good feeling. He did not know at
what time Chambers would resign, nor did
he know what effect the resignation would
have.