The San Francisco call., 1899-04-15
MOORS CONFINED TO
HIS BEACH HOUSE

A remarkable feature about the recent
troubles In Samoa was the unanimity
with which the English and American
citizens of Apia joined hands TO oppose
the Germans. It was d clearly defined
rational struggle-Chief Justice Cham
bers, with the American and English Con-
suIs behind him, battling for the young
King Maliet0a Tanu. while Herr Rose and
the German officials and citizens brought
all their influence to bear in support Of
the ferocious chleftain Mataafa, Steven
son s old pet.
The only exception 70 this International
demarcauon was II. J. Moors, one of the
largest American storekeepers on the
beach. MOOTs Is well known in san Fran
cisco. He has visited this coast on sew
eral occasions, and once. about four years
ago, during the Tamasese trouble, went
on a political mission to Washington with
the view Of setting the United states au-
thorities straight on Samoan affairs.
MOors indirectly had d good deal TO do
with the framing Of the Berlin treaty and
hence his present attitude is all the more
ineXpicable. He is man OF great ability
and large experience IN island affairs.
Born in Detroit, ne early made his way
Pacific There ne became engaged
in the blackbirding trade on behalf Of
the Goddefroy firm, which then held the
German plantations in Samoa. After sew
eral voyages MOors made enough money
10 set up in business on his own account
on the beach, and for many years has
managed large store. In adduon ne
owns the lovely coral rock Spina Islands,
some 600 miles from Samoa, where he has
started large cocoanut plantation. Dur
ing the last few years MOOrS has also
cleared and cultivated a large tract Of
land al Papasoa, some three miles froU
Apia. There, at considerable expense he
established a fOurishing cocoa planta-
ton and II looked as if his new venture
was likely to prove great success. Co
Goa thTiVes exceedingly well IN the -four
ishing climate Of Samoa, and the last
shipment which Moors sent to San Fran
cisco was pronounced by the manufac-
turers here to be the best In the market
However as the entire district has now
been raVaged by Mataafa's warriors,
Moors has probably lost the whole fruits
Of his labors. His house and plantation
have been destroyed and all that is left
10 him is his store on the beach where,
when the last mail left, he was confined,
practically prisoner, by the American
sentries.
this affair in letter to James r. Wat
son, his agent in this city Writing on
March % Moors says:
Three days after the arrival of the Phil
adelphia / called on Admiral Kautz and
Captain Whitley. being nicely received by
both The admiral told me that l was in
a painful minority on this question, ana
unless | was careful l might get into seri-
GUS trouble. l told the admiral that on
the contrary ! was on the side OF the ma
jority and that depressed the sentiments
of three-fourths Of the foreign and 80 per
cent Of the native population.
Later on the admiral sent me a copy
of the proclamation issued by the English
and American COnsuls in favor of Malie-
toa. l thought well Of it and sent word
TO Mataafa to obey. But when Mataafa
was addressing his people and advising
them TO respect the proclamation word
came that Maxse. the British Consul had
commenced 10 arm the returned Malietoa
prisoners Just brought back from TutUila.
This news caused great Indignation among
the fighting men, the meeting broke up
in anger and Mataafas people al once
commenced hostilities
II have not heard yet Of a single native
who has deserted Mataafa for Malietoa.
Most Of the whites and Malietoa's native
adherents are confined on the Mulinuu
up the little food close to the beach in
Apia they will be I'm a serious fix On
Mulinuu there is neither food, water nor
frewood. No one told me to stay at home,
but ! concluded TO do so when the trouble
began. II was just as well, for I learned
that the guards placed in front Of my
house had orders to stop me at once If I
obey. l have been now ten days in my
house. having very little communication
with the outside world. | understand that
the Germans are likewise confined and
are no better off than ! am. The guards
are civil and obliging.
LAS to the native war. it will require at
least 10000 troops with all equipments and
accessories to subjugate the Samoans
Even then a great loss must be counted
The Samoans are not towards: they are
fighting in a good cause. and God knows
] hope their sterling qualities will soon be
recognized and appreciated"