The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-08-10
TRIP EXPLAINS
American Commission to Settle
the Samoan Difficulty Talks
Reservedly,
But Gives an Idea of the Future
Government of the Samoan
Islands.
White Man to Be Governor Gen
eral in Place of a Samoan
King.

Tribune from San Francisco says:
Bartlett Trip and Baron Sternburg,
the American and German members of
the Samoan commission, who arrived in
this city Sunday on the United States
steamer Badger, have left for Wash,
ington.
On board the Badger are $500 rifles
which the commissioners took from the
followers Of Mataafa and Malietoa
Tanu. In speaking about the new form
Of government. Mr.. Trip said:
/ "Now a. to the form of government
the commissioners have decided upon
for the Samoan islands, we think we
have accomplished something definite.
I cannot talk about what we have
agreed 'upon. Only three copies Of the
proposed form Of government are in OK.
istence. These are in the possession of
the three commissioners and are in-
tended for their respective governments.
While in general way some Of the
features Of this proposed form Of gov
eminent are known, it is not true that
the document has been given out for
publication here, or anywhere else.
Some Of the Features.
"The proposed government provides
for white man as administrator Of the
island-the governor general, in other
words. He will take the place of a
Samoan king. Much of the trouble in
the islands has been due to the fact that
the natives have always had an elective
king instead of a hereditary king. The
natives realize that fact themselves.
Malietoa having resigned as king, that
troublesome proposition is now at an
end. By ha' ing white administrator
in supreme control, it Is the hope of the
commission that peace will be perma-
nent in the islands. There will also be
consular representatives, but their au-
thority will be more curtailed than at
present. The natives will be allowed
local self-goveInment. The idea of the
commissioners is to let the natives gov
ern themselves as far as possible.
1--WE believe that the government we
have recommended meets with general
approval on the part of the natives.
The three drafts OF copies we have are
signed by 10 Mataafa chiefs and like
number of Malietoa headmen. Before
drafting the scheme, we visited every
district and island save Manua. Some
chiefs from the latter island were seen.
In all the districts meetings were held
where we exchanged views with the
natives. Many good suggestions were
obtained in this way. Finally big
council was held. On that occasion,
$50 chiefs met as. There was an equal
number from the Mataafa and Malietoa
factions. It was an unique and pictur-
esque gathering"
Mr.. Trip admitted that Chief JUS
tice Chambers had returned to this
country with the intention of resigning.
He denied that there had been any
friction between Justice Chambers and
the commission and insisted that all
along there has been the utmost good
feeling. He did not know at what time
Chambers would resign, nor did he
know what effect the resignation would
have.
YES" Commissioner Trip went on,
1--WE prepared confidential report re-
garding the fight at Samoa last spring.
/ cannot discuss the character of mine,
nor even intimate whom I think re-