Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-04-06

IIib Opbu OubDTtthh III IOdl1obs utWS
of which was furnished the Thursday
papers by Associated Press adyices,
was not entirely unexpected. Recent
advices from this island country showed
how rebellion was in progress, and how
the rebelious elements were being en-
couraged by the German representa-
tives there. 1t is not surprising, there
fore, that the British and American
representatives, acting in concert,
should have resorted to the extreme
means of opening fire with the guns of
their warships upon the villages of the
rebels, for the purpose of forcing them
into submission.
The trouble, it is believed, will not
become serious, even though it may
prove to be true that the German con-
sui has encouraged the rebels. The
present outbreak is the result of the
struggle for the kingship between
Mataafa and Malietoa Tanus, rival
native chiefs. The contest was re-
ferred for settlement to Chief Justice
Chambers, an American, in December
last, both contestants agreeing to abide
by his decision. Chief Justice Cham
bers decided in favor Of Malietoa
Tanus. Despite the agreement, Matasfa
continued his fight, and DR.. Rose, the
German consul, announced that he
would not accept the decision of the
Chief Justice. Within two hours
Mataafa's men, several young Germans
being with them, and the German
consul-general actually leading some
natives, moved to the attack against
the men of Malietoa Tanus. Several
of the latter, who were not expecting
hostilities, were killed.
American and English residents were
threatened. Marines were landed from
the British war ship Porpoise, no
American war vessel being nearer than
Honolulu, for the purpose of protect.
ing foreigners. Having lost 300 of
their men the forces of Malietoa Tanus
were compelled to retreat. They re-
ceived protection from the English
sailors.
Mataafa's men, aided, it is said,
by the German, then took possession
of the office of the Supreme Court and
issued a proclamation that it should
not be opened without their consent.
A provisional government was or
ganized, which the American and Eng
fish consuls recognized conditionally.
DR.. Raffel, the German president of
the municipality of Apia, was placed
at the head Of tie provisional govern
meut.
The British and American consuls
then decided to compel the natives
and Germans to surrender possession of
the Supreme Court, and with the aid
of Capt. Sturdee of the Porpoise, and
his men, this was accomplished by
force The women and children of the
American and English residents, in
Guiding the family of Chief Justice
Chambers, Malietoa Tanus and many
of his followers, together with several
high chiefs, were taken on the Por
poise for protection.
e. A. Grevesmuhl, German, threat
ened the Chief Justice with personal
injury and broke the windows of the
Supreme Court building. He was locked
up in Jail, but the Germans broke in
and released him.
When tho news of these events
reached the United States from United
States Consul-General Osborn, the
Philadelphia. with Rear Admiral Kautz
on board, was ordered to sail for Apia
by way of Honolulu. She left Homo
lulu for Apia February 23d. 1t was
understood that Admiral Kautz was
instructed to take no decided steps
unless strong necessity existed.
That Mataafa and his rebellious
followers will have to be subdued, there
can be no doubt. The islands are
governed under protectorate compris-
ing the United States, Great Britain
and Germany, formed in compliance
with formal treaty executed at Berlin,
and to which the three Powers are
equally amenabie. The decision of
Chief Justice Chambers, by which
Mataafa was refused all kingly preroga-
tives, was based on the fifth protocol
to the treaty of Berlin, in which
Prince Bismarck of the German dele
CATION, was quoted as stating that 1.-THE
principle of the election of q king was
acceptable, but he was bound to make
one exception in the person of Mataafa,
because of the outrages committed by
his people and under his authority
upon dead and wounded German sailors
lying on the field of action. ("
This exception was considered fair
and reasonable by the British delegate,
who remarked that his government
would probably have entertained
similar objection had the like outrages
been committed on British sailors. In
view of the attack, therefore. made
ships, it is apparent that Mataafa will
be removed from Apia, and, unless
Germany should uphold him, it is be-
lieved that the kingship question can
be settled without any further trouble.
Under these circumstances, Germany
will be bound to sustain the treaty,
and there need be no fear of war be-
tween that country and the other two
parties TO the agreement over the |
Samoan affair. Mataafa and his fol- |
lowers will have to be forced into SUBJ
to law and order, and there is
no doubt that the task will be speedily
ACCOMPLISHED.