The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-04-20
THE SAMOAN DIFFICULTY.
How It Arose And What It Is All
About-Opposing Factions And The
Animus Off

The recent trouble at Samoa re-
sulting in the Smelling of Apia by
English and American gunboats, has
caused people to think more about
that part of the world concerning
which it looked as il this country
was likely to become involved in
another war. The following gives a
clear pretty idea of the situation:
The squabbles that preceded the
negotiation of the treaty of Berlin in
June, 1889. by the terms of which
Samoa is held jointly by the United
States, Germany and England, still
continue. The three powers have in
terests in the Islands, those Of Ger
many preponderating. BY reason Of
their possession of large plantations
the Germans entertained for time
the idea that Germany should be re-
garded as the dominant power
should be recognized as the exclusive
owner. As the United States has a
lien on harbor in one of the islands
and England did most of their carry
ing trades, these powers declined to
admit Geamany's claim to exclusive
possession. The sovereignty was &C
cordingly divided and rattle-trap
Government, entirely too cumber-
some and expensive for 10000 naked
savages, was set up.
But nothing was settled. The ma
tives were discontinued and continu-
ed to make war on each other. The
consuls Of the three powers continued
to suspect each other of schemes for
acquiring exclusive control. As the
German consul had rather the upper
hand the English and American con-
suls naturally acted against him.
Two parties were formed among the
natives, the larger faction led by
Mataafa being supported by the Ger
man consul. the smaller by the other
two consuls. The mayor Of Apia,
the chief town, is German and ex-
ercises much influence. The chief
potentate. however, apart from the
nominal king" is the chief justice,
who at present happens to be an
American.
The occasion of the present trouble
is the disputed succession to the
kingship. The king is elective and
the chief justice decides who is
elected. At the present election
Mataafa, the German Protve, who
has 1000 warriors, was set aside by
the. chief justice as ineligible, and
Malietoa, the Anglo-American pro-
tege, who has but 1000 warriors.
was declared elected. War ensued,
with the result that Mataafa acquired
predominance and was for time
recognized as provisional king.
But his position was illegal and the
commanders of the English and
American warships called upon
Mataafa to retire in Malietoa's favor.
He refused and proceeded to violence,
whereupon his towns were lombard
ed by the American and English YES
sells and he was ousted from Apia by
force. 1t is said that he was melted
by the German consul to resist,
which fact, if it be fact, adds
gravity to the situation. Several
English and American sailors were
killed in the fighting that followed.
1t was at first feared that this
difficulty might cause international
complications, but there seems to be
no ground for such apprehension
now. The three powers concerned
have virtually agreed to leave the
settlement Of the difficulty to '.Joint
High Commission" and the settle
ment will be peaceful one. How
ever much Germany may be dissatis-
fed the Kaiser would hardly under
take to fight both England and the
| United States.
This Samoan difficulty brings
afresh to mind the fact that we have
become world power. Formerly
we could look on complacently al
these squabbles in foreign countries
and leave the settlement of them to
the Governments of Europe. Not sc
now. With the beginning of the
Spanish-American war year ago we
became involved in these matters and
we are so deep into them now thai
extrication seems hopeless. Our in
terest in Cuba, Porto Rico, Hawaii
Philippines and Samoa have brought
a great increase of responsibility and
fresh crop of trosble that will con
stantly give us concern in one part o
the world or another.