The times., 1899-02-20
THE TROUBLE IN SAMOA.
1t Was the Outcome of the Work of
German PIotters-

New York. Feb. 19.-Interesting news
from Apia Samoa. is contained in a letter
received by a gentleman in this city from
a friend who resides in Apia. The letter.
which is dated January %. is in part as
follows:
An addition to the many outrages com
mitted by the party OF rebels headed by
that migrate Mataafa against the United
States flag is the looting of the residence
oil United States Vice Consul General
Blackjack. Mr.. Blackjack was on his way
home from a brief visit to Auckland, New
Zealand, at the time The Mataafa troops
broke down the doors and smashed in the
windows of his house and stole everything
in sight. Those articles which they could
not carry away they smashed up. Not =
single thing was left on the premis s. beds
and bedding even being sto en-. Evidently
the thieves were anxious to show th. .it ha-
tired for United States officials probably
through desire to obtain revenge 70. he
past, when they were followers of Tamas-
ese during the rebellion OF 1888 and 1889
at which time they fought Mataafa and
were the allies OF the Germans.
They have thrown over young Tama-
sese, the son Of their former leader be-
cause he submitted to the orders OF Chief
Justice Chambers. They have taken up
mans, who want TO make trouble in the
country. in the hope that the whole Sa-
moan question will be opened again. and
that the German interests will fare better
than they did at the Berlin conference.
They think. perhaps. they may gain pos
session OF Upolu. the island on which Apia
is situated. and which is by far the most
valuable and important of all the islands
in the Samoan group.
The Germans have been making them
selves obnoxious in Tonga as well as in
Samoa during the last two months. The
German Vice Consul there went so far
even as to threaten to hoist the German
nag II the natives did not Immediately pay
the debts they owe the German firm. IL
Is the belief of Americans and Englishmen
IN Samoa and in Tonga that the German
government will demand that the entire
South Pacific question be dealt with az the
same time. and that by first forcing their
claims in Tonga and in Samoa, as well as
elsewhere In the South Pacific they can
then seem TO make concessions in exchange
Tor getting stronger hold in Samoa
The Germans have by treaty the right
to establish coaling and naval station at
FaVao, Tonga, under conditions similar to
our rights at Pago Pago. II the United
States Government is awake and wa CHI
ful. We can obtain similar rights in Tonga
for there are other ports there lust as COOL
as Vavao
1T is unfortunate that the officials of
the three powers in Samoa recognized the
provisional government II was a weak
move. Had an American warship been
mere TO assist Captain Sturdee, the English
commander of the Porpoise things would
have been different. Certainly matters
would not have been any worse had the
so-called provisional government not been
recognized. for the rebels who compose the
party of which the so-caIled government
is formed have kept right on fighting and
looting in other parts of Samoa ever sincs
the hshting at Apia. in which Chief ] s.
tlce Chambers, the British Consul, Cen
eral Maxsee. and Captain Sturdee took
such decided and gallant stand
Inc High Chief Tamasese, who was one
OF the aspIrants for the kingship. is per-
sonally in favor of Tanu becoming the
Malietoa, or King. but his followers are in
sympathy with Mataafa. These wretehes.
who have committed such horrible out
RACES, have for years been aching to fight
the Samoans who live near Apia. because
of their friendship for the Americans and
English, as was evidenced in 1883 and
1883
With the assistance OF the Germans they
have at last succeeded in their desires.
They have acted in the most barbarous
manner even toward the native women.
NNtti1t pil lL4eIl HHSeIs III OTQer TO get Dos
session of their rings, tearing earrings
from their ears, carrying pieces Of flesh
with them in so doing, and stripping the
women of clothing. There are other afro
cities OF which these followers OF Mataafa
and friends of the Germans have been
guilty, but which l cannot explain here.
Truly, it is a beautiful alliance which
exists. made up as it is of Mataafas reb-
els, Germans and French priests, who are
either secretly or openly, as may seem best.
working in every way possible against
Americans and Englishmen, but, then.
you are familiar with such Samoan cabaIs.
1t is Just ten years ago since the Ger
mans got very much the worst of the bar
gain by supporting the Tamasese rebels.
and since their warships the Adler and
the Eber, were lost on the reef at Apia
in the hurricane of March. 1883. the Olga
being almost wrecked. History seems to
be repeating itself. l wonder if we shall
have the hurricane? MomentOus events
are surely about TO occur in Samoa
EYTPA cEccT0N rnrv