Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-07-15

w AOI11NdI YIN, July II. -SOAouA
General Rose, the German, official who
has been one of the foremost figures in
the recent exents in Samoa, called at the
White House to-day and was introduce
ed by Secretary Hay to the President.
A brief talk on Samoan affairs occur
red, and hopes were expressed on both
sides that the causes of recent friction
had disappeared. Herr Rose after
wards saw a reprcs entatve of the Asso-
ciated Press and gave an interesting
outline of the conditions up to the time
he left Samoa.
Prior to the arrival of the Samoan
commission said he, AN armistice
had been arranged with the native
forces. Mataafa and his men were
back of a line sweeping around the
city of Apia and extending from the
town of Falenla to Lantii. The Ma
taafa forces numbered about $500 men.
Tanu and his men occupied the PENN
sula jutting out from the mainland near
Apia. They numbered about 1000
men. Both forces were fairly well
armed but the Tanu men had in addi-
ton to their old arms about 700 mod
ern rifles furnished by the British ships
at the time of the conflict.
THE commissioners first turned
their attention to disarming the native
forces. AS soon as they arrived Ma
taafa sent a Letter of greeting and said
he would abide by any decision they
might make The commission then
gave hearing on board the Badger to
each of the claimants for the kingship,
Mataafa being heard one day and Tanu
another. They were addressed not as
kings, but simply as Sir AS senior
member of the body the American COM
missioner, Mr.. Trip, asked some very
direct questions of Mataafa and Tanu.
He wanted to know if they were ready
to give their support to the commits
sion even if it determined to deny the
right of one or the other of them to the
kingship, or to abolish the kingship
entirely Serious as these questions
were to the two claimants for the
throne, they promised to support the
commission in whatever action was
taken.
Some days later the Badger went along
the coast to Male, where Mataafa head
quarters We're located. The native chiefs
came alongside, and a formal surrender
of 1875 guns was made TO the commission.
Mataafa and his chiefs came aboard the
ship and were entertained at dinner. The
Tanu party followed with the surrender of
their arms a few days later. for while
the decision of the commissioners had up
held Tanu yet it was felt to be in the in
terest of all concerned that the native
kingship should be brought to an end,
and that an administration by white men,
at least over those localities where white
interests are greatest, should be brought
about. Tanu yielded 10 this decision. but
for time there was some prospect of
trouble as the royal flags were kept fly
ing over the Tanu headquarters. despite
the fact that he had surrendered the
kngship. This was source of irritation
to the Mataafa people, who considered it
contrary to the understanding arrived at
Since arriving in this country, how
ever / understand that this source Of diff
ficuty has been removed and that the
Tanu flag is Withdrawn and the Tanu
forces dispersed The Mataafa people
have also gone back 10 the interior. With
the natives disarmed and both factors
back 10 their homes. there is every reason
to believe that no further trouble will
arise and that the commission will be free
to work out a satisfactory plan for t.e
future government of the islands,"