The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-06-05
THE SITUATION SAMOA
Contendins Factions Have Not Laid Down
Their Arms.
KING MATAAfA IS PREPARING TO FIGHT
oRnize Tnnu Even III the Powers
Are Unanimous.

Apia, Samoa. May 10. via San Francisco
When Admiral Kants issued his proclamation
on April %. directing Matsafa and his follow
ipg 10 keep beyond certain prescribed limits
around Apia the prescribed district covering
an area twelve miles long and six miles
broad. followed by a notification to Mataafa
that unless the rebels were not outside the
prescribed limits within twenty-four hours
fire would be opened on them wherever they
could be reached, the ultimatum brought
about an immediate and unconditional com
Piiouce witn the admrals directions.
From that time up to date there has been
no conflict with the rebels. Captain Sturdee
of II. NJ s. Porpoise, accompanied by VIII
liam Fl. Hunkett Of the London Mission So
clety as interpreter, paid the rebel camp at
talena visit the day following, and, III order
TO avoid mistakes In the future, went over
the boundary lue with several Mataafa chiefs
who promised TO keep the peace until the
commission hnu had time to act.
The district whcn the rebels have evaCu-
ated is quite large enough TO supply food 10
the Malietoans in Apia, aud thus one OF the
great difficulties OF the naval authorities mas
been overcome
Since the rebels went to Falens strong
patrol of 100 or 500 men daily makes the round
seeing that all is quiet and no lootns or dam
age is being done by the Malletol followers
Several cases Of looting have been reported
and where it has been possible to md ont
ished. The damage caused by the trtendlies
has however. been very small in comparison
with that caused by the Mataatans--not QUE
twentieth part The large fort at Lotopia has
been destroyed by the Malietoans, and 1t IS
reported that Malaria is highly eutaged at
this, claiming that in the event OF his wish
lug 10 return to the same after the commits
sion has made known its decision he ought To
have been allowed to do so In the mean
time, he is building forts inland tor the town
OF Falena, and his followers stoutiy declare
that II the commission is unanimous against
him be will never acknowledge Tanu as king.
aud will fight it out to the bitter cad
These assertions may be only tax, but as
far as We can Judge here the question OF the
kingship does not seem 70 lie within the
scope Of the commission. Tauu has been pup.
.cly crowned by the American and british
authorities here. aud has been sauted with
royal hopors by both the Philadelphia and
Tauranga on the occasion Of his coronation
and OF his formal visit to the warships since
the armistice has been In force, His chiefs
and Tamasese, the vice king, are carrying on
the government in way thqt performs all
the functions Of a good and stable govern
ment and they are IN possession. Tanu Is
king de facto. and In addition there are now
In Apia $500 male adults carrying 2700 rifles
10 aid in supporting him. This means tnat
absolutely half Of Apia is at present support
Ing the King OF Ap!a. Mataata is likely TO he
a disappointed man, and although a personal
friend OF his who had an interview with him
few days ago says that Mataafa is preparing
20 accept The Inevitable az the hands OF a
unanimous commission, he will never submit
10 a minority, even though that minority be
the two greatest nations on earth Farcical
no doubt to most people but serious indeed
10 the few white residents OF these Islands.
In the meantime the rebels are strengthen
ing their positions sending out messengers fol
their sympathizers to come and join them
Deserters from the Matsafa camp say that OF
the occasion OF the Fake last visiting Salu
alta some rebel chiefs went OFF to the ship ant
asked for a supply OF ammunition. and tina
the same was refused them, to their great dis
gust. The loyalists. on the other hand. arr
certifying their intiSnehmeuts around Ari
and ara being daily drilled and instructed b,
officers from the different ships 4-inch gu
has been taken from VI. NJ s. Torch and
now mounted at Mulum in such position a
to command the whole Of the western portlo
Of the municipality. The great question q
will the commission order the disarmament
OF the natives? II they do not, II is the opin
ion OF almost every white resident that thes
Islands will no longer be safe to live IN, an
many declare thar Il the natives are 70 re
tain their rifles never mind what other solu
ton OF the Samoan question is made. they ca
not and will not live here with their wives
families and property at the mercy 1T tn
next lot OF rebels
Thanks TO magnihcent ARRANGEMENTS,
splendid supply OF water and fresh meats tn
troops are all in good condition and health