The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-02-09
SAMOAN AFFAIas.
Particulars Of the Recent TrOu
bIes Just Received

that while chief justice Chambers was
holding the claims of the rival candidates
for the lingship that NIataafa natives.
who were numerically stronger, were op-
enly supported 10y the German officials
and tho entire German population began
to talk Of immediate war In case Tho de-
cision went against him and the life OF
the chief justice was openly threatened
by one of the chiefs The three consns ag-
reed 10 issue a proclamation putting the
chief justice and his residence under the
protection Of the treaty powers For some
reason the German consul broke his word
and declined TO do 50. The British and
American consuls thereupon issued the
proclamation and raised their flags over
the chief Justice residence. The chief
Justice thereupon declared Maleitoa Tanus
was king. The American and British con-
suls Immediately recognized the new
king
The decision was received with omi-
nous by the natives Within an hour
the consuls the president and the Ger
man and British captains held a meeting.
The German consul and president de-
clined to recognize Tanus and went over
to Mataafa who was waiting at Mulinu.
the western portion OF Apla with 5000
men under arms untn he had surrounded
the loyal troops, 200 in number who oc.
cupied the central portion OF the town
The Malietos lacked arms and ammuni-
ton. In a few hours the rebel forces had
surrounded the residence OF the chief
Justice who was guarded by 200 loyal nat
ives and Captain Sturdy OF II. NJ $. Por-
poise. landed twenty-five sailors under
Lieut.. Grant.
The residence was barracaded and the
men stood at arms all night when the
chief Justice and his family was taken
to the beach Fighting was expected 20
commence at any moment and the Brit
ish and American consuls did all they
could to prevent hostilties. a renewal
of fghting is expected soon as both rae
tions Of the natives are dissatisfied.
BY midday on Sunday the rebels had
completely hemmed in the royalties. The
mans had been well laid and the rebels
were headed by an eN-German officer
Won Bulow, who is at the present time
I'm receipt of pension from the German
| government Under his direction, barri-
cades were thrown up in the main streets,
| Won Bulow and the president and the
Germanconsuls were in constant consul
tation and German merchants supplied
cartridges to the rebels.
King Talu and n large number OF white
people sought refuge In the Tivoli hotel
At about 4:20 o'clock Sunday afternoon
500 rebels made rush in the western
side of the town toward the hotel and
the fighting commenced. The German
consul rode at their head and Won Blu
10 wwns In actual command. The Tight.
ing was severe In the main street Hear
ing the firing on the beach the party OF
rebels one thousand strong advanced
driving before them party of loyalists
| IIousandE of shots were fired and for
two hours there was a stubborn defense.
The loyal party, by nlghtfan. had been
driven to within a quarter OF mile OF
the mission station. around which the bal
anee OF the royalsts had been compelled
TO retire.
MIGHT HAVE BEEN SLAUGHTERED.
II rhe two rebel parties had effected a
junction these 1oyalists might have been
slaughtered but daTknss came and the
fighting ceased, During the night Maheta
pjeople sought refuge IN boats and We're
huddled together under the guns OF the
Porpoise After the retreat from the Tri-
voh to the mission It was found that
King Talu had been left at the Trlvoh.
Captain Sturdy and Consul Maxse went
10 the hotel and brought the king safely
back. II was a brave deed and although
the rescuers were fired upon repeatedly
they escaped without damage
The British sailors under Lueit. Grant
behaved splenddly. They held their fire
for direct attack which never came.
The American consul Osborn and family
took refuge in the British consulate
which was closely guarded by the Brit
ish sailors.
A provisional government was approved
by all consuls pending the settlement Of
the whole question by their respective
governments.
The British and American consuls agreed
TO this provisional arrangement with the
understanding that Il was in no wise to
effect the Berlin treaty or any official
powers or any officer under II. The FIRST
act of the provisional government, how
ever, showed the fixed determination OF
the German officials to assume an as
tendency In Samoan affairs. By public no
tice the provisional government abolished
the supreme court and then decided that
the president was the acting chief justice
and that chief justice Chambers no long
er held office. They seized the supreme
court and placed new locks on all the
doors. Chief Justice Chambers and the
British and American consuls issued
proclamation that the court would he op-
ened by him as usual I'm the morning Cap
tain Sturdy OF the Porpoise gave notice
that II any resistance TO the opening Of
the court by Justice Chambe.s was Of
fered the Porpoise would open fire on the
town. Captain Sturdy also Appealed to
the German captain for assistance With
out avail. Mataafa upon rec .ivinr Cap
tain sturdys ultimatum withdrew his
armed guard from the court house and
on January the chief justice with a
guard Of twenty-five men landed. The
chief justice and the two consuis walked
to the court house and after an exciting
colloquy with the German officials Cham
bers ordered the door broK,n IN wita a
sledge hammer. The session cf the court
was held. Three cheers for the justice
and the British and American consuls
were given by the British and Americans
and the crowd dispersed. All is now quiet
and so far as fighung is concerned, is so
up to date. The CHIEF justice has sent his
family to Auckland and he himself is on
the Porpoise. The Germans stan insis,
that DR.. Rafael is chief justice.
ATTACKED SUPREME COURT.
on January 70, the wealthiest German
merchant in Samoa smashed all tho win
dows In he supreme court buildnig lie
was fined 500 and sentenced 10 100 days
Imprisonment IN the court llo insulted
the judge and glortel IN his deed lie was
sent 10 Jail ana late hat nieht, Dr. Rafael
claiming 70 be CHIEF justice, oriered the