The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-11-18
QUIET AT PRESENT IN SoMoA.
NATIVES AWAIT NEWS FROM
TREATY POWERS.
Say That Unless Annexation is the
Solution of the Question War
Will be Inevitable.

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 17.-Advices
to the Associated Press from Apia,
Samoa, dated November Sd, received to-
day per the steamer Alameda, from
Australian ports via Apia and Homo
lulu, state that everything is quiet in
the Samoan group; that the collection
of taxes is progressing smoothly, though
1T is said that the Mataafans will not
pay the taxes over to the Government.
but will only collect the same, and when
trouble comes UP in the future both
parties will then have the necessary
sinews of war.
Both parties are anxiously awaiting
news from the treaty Powers as TO the
future of Samoa, and many state that
unless annexation is the solution of the
Samoan question war will be the newt
able result in these islands,
That the Commissioners did not col
lect the whole of the arms of the Sa-
means is every day becoming more ap-
parent. At Tinsila's funeral his village
alone showed f1fty-two guns in their
possession, and in Savaii the natives of
Saulonga (Mataafa) are constantly seen
with rifles, carrying the same in their
boats openly and without interference.
1t seems to be generally accepted as
true that the Mataafans have a great
many rifles in their possession. espec-
tally in the district of Itu of Fafine in
Sayaii, where hundreds of rifles have
been seen lately. Business has been
brisk and copra plentiful since the war.
This year will be record year for ex-
ports and imports
NO news yet here as to the payment
OF losses sustained by whites at hands
OF natives in the war time, but the Ger
man Consul is paying out to German
sufferers sums of money proportionate
TO their losses. such sums to be re-
turned when compensation is paid. and
II no compensation is granted no re-
turn is asked for.
Last month at the election of Conn
eillor for the East Ward it was a direct
tflai OF strength between Germans and
their friends and Britishers and their
American friends. The British candi-
cate, r. w. Gulr, was returned by a
large majority, the defeated candidate
being Herr Leonard, German, re-
spected alike by British and Germans.
The United States Government wharf
at Pago Page is progressing rapidly.
and about 200 feet of the pier is COM
pleted. Difficulties at first kept the
work back but further out they disap-
peared and progress is the order of the
day.
Naval authorities of the United States
Government. through the Captain OF the
Abarenda, are negotiating for the pur-
chase of lands adjoining the coal sta
ton at Pago Page, and 1 understand
nave arranged for the purchase of a
considerable parcel of land next TO the
Kimberley grant
Healey, Tibbitts & Co., the Page
Pago wharf contractors, are having
trouble with Dr. Solf, the President,
who is suing them in the Supreme
Court of Samoa for duties on goods
landed by them at Page Page.
Mr.. Tibbitts claims that he was
granted express permission to land the
goods free of duty by the ConsuIs in
June last-the Consuls then acting as
President-and cannot see the justice
of being called upon three months lat
er to pay duties when the ConsuIs gave
him permission. The matter is before
the court and Mr.. Tibbitts is contest
ing the matter and also protesting
against Acting Justice Osborn, who
was one of the Consular oBard when
the permission was given, sitting in
Judgment in the case. will send full
particulars next mail.