Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-22
Subject to Approval of Powers.

AS far as the state of affairs in Samoa
and the program for the future proposed
by the commission are disclosed in Mr.
Trips brief cablegram, 1t may be said
that they are satisfactory to the State De-
partment. II should be understood, how
ever, in the view of the State Department,
that most of this program is not final, but
Is still subject to the approval of the three
governments party to the treaty of Berlin.
That is true of all the recommendations
that involve changes vioIative of the treaty
itself Such, for instance, is the proposed
abolition of the kingship an office specially
provided for In the treaty. The govern
ment of the United States and the govern
ments of Great Britain and of Germany
must each and all sanction the abolition.
There is little doubt that our government
Will consent at once, as soon as it is made
apparent that the governor of Samoa who
Is to succeed to the control of affairs in
Samoa will be selected in such manner as
to insure that he will act impartally and
not discriminate between the residents who
are citizens of different powers.
Vindication of the Chief Justice.
The fact that the commission has. as It
is gathered. unanimously sustained the de-
cision of the chief justice in disqualifylng
Aataafa and seating Maliatoa Tanu on the
throne is particularly gratifying to the au-
thOTities here, as it justifes everything that
has been done since the date of the decision
last February by the American consul and
ton, upon arriving at Apia and looking into
affairs, was to decide that the decision of
Chef Justice Chamabers must be MAIN
tanned. and ne carried it out, notwithstand-
ing strenuous opposition in certain quar-
terS- Now, the commission having found
that the decision was right, of course, it
follows that the admiraIs action was also
correct. and so the talk of preference of
claims against the United States for dam
ages resulting from his action Will come to
nothing. The admiral himself reported his
arrival Z Francisco last evening hN
telegraph to the Navy Department, but
made no report upon Samoan affairs. This
VIII probably be committed to the mails
Judging from the few words he has uttered,
and which have been reported, he VIII seize
the opportunity TO justify his course. but in
their present lights his official SuperiOrS do
not regard that necessary, being fully
satisfied with his conduct while at Apia
The admiral retains his ass ignment as COM
nander-in-chef of the forces On the Pa
ciilc station, and the Philadelphla' Will be
retained in commission, though being SUBJ
Jected TO some necessary repairs ana dock
ing at once.
The Commissions Proclamation.
The British foreign office has forwarded
to Mir. Tower. the British charge here,
statement of the conclusions reached by the
Samoan commission. including in part the
text of the proclamation abohshing the
kingship and establishing the provisional
government. 1t states:
The commission published a prOclama-
tion on June 10, Teciting:
Whereas the declaration of the chief
Justice declaring MalIetoa 10 he king is
considered by the high commission as valid
and blndlng, and
Whereas the said Malietoa has volunta-
riy rendered his resignation as king, and
the same has been duly accepted, and
w hereaS the high commission has de-
cided 10 abolish the Office of king in Samoa
Proclamation is made for the establish
ment of d provisional government during
the stay of the high commission in Samoa"
The foregoing official information dis
closes that Ma-ieIoa'S resignation was vol
unfairly rendered" and was not the result
OF any pressure brought TO bear by the
commission. This voluntary surrender of
the kiEgship is felt TO be helpful TO a solu-
ton. as il promises native support for what
the three powers may determine upon.
While there has been no doubt the three
powers could enforce their decision vet
the officials have been quite desirous of
having the SamOans accept the results
without recourse TO force. That the Ma
taafans also viii accept the decision is evil
Gent from the fact that the commission
was unanimous in sustaining Malietoa, thus
Withdrawing from Mataafa any support he
mlSnt have expected.
Action Regarded as satisfactory.
The German foreign office has been ad-
yised quite fully by Baron Speck Won Stern
burg the German commissioner concerning
the Samoan decision. and the embassy here
mas been kept informed of the essential
points There is a disposition in all diplo-
matte quarters concerned in Samoa to ac-
cept the action of the high commission as
satisfactory, mainly because the commits
sion has been on the ground has heard ALI
the evidence and is presumably best able tn
determine the means of adjusting the rnanv
conflicting interests.