Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-19
Chief Mataafe Makes War on
Newly Elected King.
AND GERMANY INTERFERES
DIR. Rafael and German Consu, CIesa
Supreme Court nnd Prncticnlfy
Declare Themselves DictAtors
American ana English Cnnsuia Re.
store Chief Justice TO His Seat mud
Hoist American and British Flags.
tRy Telegraph to virr,nlan-Puo,.,

NpS leieSEdpu 10 NlTElDlan-A'llOt)
Auckland, n. a.. Jan. 1S.-Samoan adj
vices just received here say that CHIEF
Justice Chambers, on December 3lst,
declared Malietoa Tanus to have been
elected King, in succession of the late
King Malietoa. The Chief Justice also
announced that Tamasese had been
elected vice-king. Chief Mataafe was
disqualified.
The consuls of the United States and
Great Britain and the captains of the
German warship Filke and the British
warship Porpoise met the German con-
SUI who refused to recognize Malietoa
Tanus and declined to cooperate in the
disposal OF the Samoans, who. there-
upon. assembled in large numbers at
Mulinu, armed themselves and sur
rounded the municipality. Malietoa-
Ianus and Tamasese mustered about
1000 men. we'll armed, but supplied with
defective ammunition.
The British and American consuIs
endeavored to avert hostilities. but
'hey commenced on January LIST. Ma
lletoa lanus and Tamasese fought
pravely but 500 of their followers were
captured. Then. disheartened and OUT
numbered. the two chiefs sought re-
luge on the British warship. and their
followers sought protection under the
guns OF the Porpoise.
MAJ aate 5 loss was 81 men killed md
wounded. ana Malietoa Tanus lost -
men Killed and wounded
me foreign residents were placed un,
uer the protection of a detachment of
men belonging IA No ,rtr
Chiei Justice Chambers and his family
went on board of her
me followers of Mataafe looted and
burned Apia. destroyed the plantations
try. 'e Gull
;, III me consnls later decided to recog-
HiHe Mataafe and his chiefs as nro
VlSiohai government. pending the re-.
'e'pt OIL instructions from the powers.
GERMAN INTERFERENcr
Afterward DR.. Rafael and The Co.
H il'o,' J"ilsul closed the Supreme Court.
them. The British ana Auerica-n con ~
SuIs then appealed To the captaIn of TIC
hrlush warship Porpcise. who lon6aS
Il i0rcc OF bluejackets and Chief Justica
Nhaii9oer' under their guard. took his
selt. me British and American flags
We're hoisted over Chambers house anI
The courthouse A
Manafe held aloof from these devel-
orments
The provisional government wrote IL
Hturdee, ON the 18th. that they would
Se'|e Maiieeoa and take Tamasese off
the Porpo!se by force IL necessary. de-
rrive them of their titles and desert
thcm Chambers is residing on the
forpo!se. The British and American
conSuls have protested against amy
iinlrlngement OF the Berlin treaty Brit
iSh residents nave taken refuge in
their consulate and the American res
idents have taken refuge In the Mis-
sion.
An American warship Is urgently
needed here.
THE SITUATION GRAVE.
Washington. Jan. 1S.-The situation
IN tile Samoan islands is regarded here
to be full OF gravity. For some time
past there has been an exchange of cor
reSpohdence between the three govern
ments party to the treaty OF Berlin
respecting the choice OF Il successor. TO
the late King Maliatoa. and some fric-
ton developed owing To the strict adj
herence OF the United States govern
ment to the terms of the treaty. The
statements in the dispatches from Sa-
moa are not regarded here as conclu-
s!Nc for the reason that they are in
conflict with the provisions of the
treaty.
GERMANS AS DICTATORS.
If, as reported, Rafael. the president
OF the municipal council at Apia, and
the German consul Rose have seized the
Supreme Court and pronounced them
selves practically dictators. II is said
here that they have violated the treaty.
absolutely. The functions % the Pres
ident OF the Municipal Council are
clearly defined by the treaty. and thad
last advices received were to the eff
feet that President Rafael had been
granted leave of absence and intended
u visit New leland. 1t was also UNI
ders TODD that his successor had been
selected, and L was thought wes on his
way 10 his post.
The Chief Justice. under the treaty.
is made the court OF last resort under 4
any circumstances, and, moreover the
treaty in terms provides distinctly that
in case any dispute between the natives
themselves or between the foreigners n, &
Samoa. that dispute shall be referred
Continued on Sixth Page)