The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-25

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should endeavor to secure political domin-
| ion OF, the islands. The ink on the treaty
| was hardly dry, however, before the sub
! jects of the Kaiser began TO plot the an
Iexation of the islands. By threats the
German Consul compelled Malietoa to
| sign. on November 10. 1884. a treaty ere
ating State Council, consisting of the
Consul, two Germans, and two Samoans
| This council was to be the chief legisla-
tive authority of the islands, and there
were other provisions, the effect of which
was to make Samoa practically a Ger
man colony. The King signed the treaty,
/ bt immediately wrote to the Queen Of
England protesting against it and claim
ing that ii had been secured by force
and fraud. Meanwhile the Germans had
proceeded to carry out their plans. and
their Consul, declaring the Islands annex
ed to Germany, had hoisted the flag.
News of this action coming to England.
a protest was made to Bismarck, and the
German flag was hauled down.
a second attempt was made by the Ger
mans in 1885, when the Consul found a
that the rights OF the German citizens had
not been respected by the king. Sailors
and marines were landed from a German
warship and their flag was hoisted and
that OF Samoa taken down. The United
States Consul protested and appealed to
Washington, wdereupon Bismarck disa-
vowed the act, and the German flag
came down a second time.
To
their most determined effort to annex the
islands Some of the German traders at
Apia persuaded Tamasese TO claim the
throne and begin war against Malietoa.
had no right TO the throne, and had had
no idea of questioning the title of Malie-
tOa. The latter was the direct descend
ant Of dynasty that had ruled the is
lands for 500 years. during which period
their right had never been seriously ques-
toned. Tamasese had few supporters but
Malietoa was afraid 70 punish him, as he
been informed by the Germans that any
attempt to enforce his authority against
the pretender would be regarded as a
casus belH. While the native rebellion
was in progress Admiral Knorr arrived
at Apia with a formidable squadron. He
after staying three or four days at the
pert, during which he gave no recognition
Of Malietoa's sovereignty, but treated
him with open disdsin, he went to Ease
tootia. where Tamasese was encamped
Landing party of marines as an escort,
and TO the music Of band, he proceeded
IN state to the camp of the rebel and paid
him royal honors, salut ting the nag which
had been given to Tamasese by the Ger
man consul.
Every indication promised that Germany
would use force to remove Malietoa and
place Tamasese on the throne and then
assume a protectorate. II was then that
Malietoa appealed to Consul Greenbaum. |
the United States diplomatic agent in the |
Islands. An article in the treaty made by |
Samoa, Great Britain and the United |
States provided that 'tin the event of the |
government of Samoa being at any time in |
difficulties with powers that were in amity |!
With the United States the Samoan gov |
eminent then reserves the right to claim |
the protection of the United States flag" |
Malietoa asked Green baum to give him |
the protection of the American govern |
ment and Greenbaum assented, and on /
May H. 1885, he hoisted the United States !
flag over that of Samoa, to signify that |
henceforth Samoa should be under the |
protection of the United States At this |
Admiral Knorr ceased to give open en-
couragement to Tamasese, and apparently
waited for instructions. At this juncture
an English warship entered the harbor
and the Germans sailed away, as the Eng
lish consul had supported Greenbaum in
all of his acts.
The departure OF the German fleet ended
Tamasese's rebellion temporarily. The
claimant was called upon to lay down his
arms, and upon his REFUSAL he was or
dered to meet the consuls on board the
United States ship Mohican. which had
arrived at Apia, At rst Tamasese posi-
lively declined to yield claiming that he
had received assurances of German sup
port. but when the German consul as well
as the others signed a document declaring
Malietoa the rightful king, and denying
that any nation had recognized Tamasese's
sovereignty, he yielded.
When Consul Greenbaum was winning
this diplomatic victory he was surprised 70
receive a recall from Washington. Presi-
dent Cleveland had removed him on the
ground that he had exceeded his authority
IN placing the islam D under the protection
Of the American flag. The Germans were
elated at Greenbaums recall, and. believ-
ng that they would not meet with oppo-
sition in their schemes for securing con-
troll of the islands sent a fleet to Apia
n August, 1857. They demanded an In
1emnity from Malietoa and. he refusing
t, they declared him no longer king Ma
-ines to the number of 900 were landed ana
-hese overran the town, committing depre-
iations against the property of American
md British citizens. They declared war
against Mslietoa and hoisted the German