The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-02-22

nothing of law but q good deal of the
Samoan customs. Instead of confinlng
the discussion to the circumstance OF the
election and thereby trying to discover
which was the stronger party. the law
yers were allowed the widest Latitude
and undertook to search back through
was Ineligible and in fact no chief at
ALL Several times the court was nearly
broken up by the principal chiefs. who
were provoked by the statements OF very
common people which they believed to be
untrue.
One night. during this eventful trial
rounded by armed men of the Tanu-
Tamasese party, who stated that they
had come to protect him, as they hau
ened to take his life. An investigation
showed that there was no foundation for
this story, and the affair was probably
arranged to give the court the idea that
the Tanu-Tamasese party was bound to
protect the Chief Justice, and to abide
by his decision in any event. The Ma
had heard this particular chief make
any threats, and did not believe that he
had done SO. The chief himself was not
questioned, nor was any -, witness aesf sum- sum-,
ordered to heavily punish him at once The
trial dragged on from day to day; wan
a fair one, and was Mataafa chosen ac-
cording to the laws and customs OF ga
moa ?"
Both parties prepared for war. s
On the morning of the 18th the Chiet
Asi, man generally known as dis
turber, removed from his village of Ma
ee up R 70 had Ap an aS
and here his people commenced line OF
Qualifications. On the following day,
large force Of Mataafa people PIE, occupied p, "a
strong position on the hills back oil
Apia. No collision took place.
The decision was not rendered until
the morning Of the S1st. No Mataafa
to it. The decision was to the erect
that the Chief Justice was satisfied that
Mataafa had with him the largest TO- ho,5
taken place In Berlin during the con,
ference, and it was there shown that
Germany was not friendly tsa disposed ,, H.
from Samoa to Berlin he would have
made inquiries direct from that Govern
ment as to- to its Tee INES no
cable, and the Chief Justice notwith--
standing his letters to Mr.. Moors and
the assurances the German Consul Cen
eral had given him, declared that it was
Incompatible with the honor of Ger
many that Mataafa should be King Of
Tanu being the only other candidate in
the field. was declared King of Samoa.
The missionaries and the attorneys
were full of glee but almost the whole
cast down.
But this situation did not endure long.
slst of December, the Tanu-Ta: lasese
party commenced the erection of breast
works in the west end Of Apia, across
the road while about three e n, nandi s ed
works. At ?. M twenty-eight Very
lara n n9ass cr esns the part harbor ana .s land
ed just beyond Mataute point. Being eX-
postulated with by the British, Consul
and Captain OF the Porpolse, they pro,
landed at Ash a deserted village This
party was about loo strong, and many
length One, probably the largeset boat
of its kind in the world, was 1872 feet long
and Is feet beam. This strong party scri-
ously threatened the Tanu- Tamasese left
stronger than their entire army. which
was Undertaking to defend about one
The night passed without firing. and
until p. m. the next day, january 1st,
both sides maneuvered for. the advan-
tage The Tanu-Tamasese forces aban-
erected an earth-work on the left bank
of the Mulivai. near the .sathoiic Cattle
dral, Mataafa's party following them
closely. The. extreme weakness Of Tanu's
party was becoming apparent to every
one. AT a. m the right wing OF Ma
f burning army it before eu leavnr and diving
the Tanu forces out OF AIotaa up to
vaiala. close to the Unite1 States Con-
ns 50 D. far asfs faa aa
preached within 120 yards of the works
of Tanus army and Calmly commenced
building a fort of very considerable
strength.
AT $50 p. m. the petty chief Tangalea
of the Tanu-Tamasese party, stationed
Consul for help. saying that he had only
100 men to oppose to a very laT:.e force
approaching against him. It WAS his idea
that the American and British ronsuls
could get him assistance from the war
ships in the harbor. this dea it Is said.
having been put into the heads of these
Consul Osborn inquired where were the
1000 men that they had sworn in court
that they had re,dy az moment notice.
had them. Osborn informed him that
he was not in the business of lighting
other peoples battles; that they had de-
as being, very strong and able to take
! care of themselves; if that were true all
was well, if not then they had better
surrender or fight, just as they chose to
At D. m. news was received that all
the Mataafa forces were in position. COM
that a forward movement was to be
made. From the tower of the Tivoli
Hotel which occupied about the center
of the field of operation. the position of
the advancing Mataafa forces could read
lily be determined by the columns of
smoke which arose from the different
houses which were burned as they came
on. the Tanu forces slowly retreating
before them Near the Cathedral both
parties We're within hail. and each side
appeared anxious that the other should
commence the firing. Now a stalwart
Mataafaite would waltz out from behind
his fort. run some distance toward the
foe. caper about with his long two
handed knife, and challenge them to send
a champion to meet him in single COM
| bat Then Tanu man, arrayed in all
| his savage finery with an immense red
| turban. would caper in front of his fort
and make some offensive gestures not
| peculiar to savages alone, and dare the
other side to charge to their sure death.
In the meanwhile the few whites in the
neighborhood had placed their families