The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-04-13
GERMANY AND SAMOA.
The Situation In the Pacific Islands
as II Stands up to Datc-The Action

Washington Post: In order to put
the Samoan question fairly before our
selves, 1t is necessary TO make a brief
review of the past. As regards the
events OF twelve years ago. we are. al
ready fully advised Of their nature and
significance. The trouble then arose
from German aggression. and from the
resistance offered BY the representa-
tlves OF Great Britain and the United
States. Even Germany will hardly
venture to question that. since Prince
Bismarck rebuked and recalled the
German consul. and discrcdited the
whole course the latter had pursued.
The greatest misfortune OF. that time
was the hurricane. which undoubtedly
prevented hostil!lies. But for that ma
llgn accident the issue would have been
made and the controversy settled in
1855. n $50 Ils.i L. ,,t .;' &, lat y, Il
Then followed the trcatyEof Berlin,
the arrangement OF n new dlspensatlon,
and ever since things haveN been going
from bad to worse upon tle;same old
lines and with the same affay OF con-
lElsllUIl. L Gttllle eUlIlc
weeks ago, when the Gcrman'consul I'M
dertook to,overrule the decision OF the
chief Justice. and to set up agains.
the concurrence of the two other powers
and the plaiRintent and purpose OF the
Berlin treaty the single antagonsm Of
Gcrmany's arrogant pretensions. Herr
Rose refused 10 recognize Malleota Ia
MI as King, although his election had
been certified by the chief! justice-a
final decision under the terms OF the
treaty-and thereupon he ordained what
Is called the provisional N government,
explaining the necessity for that on the
ground that the consuls had to act
unanimously in order to assure le-
Ultimate government. In this way
Germany, by the simple and Ingenious
expedient Of refusing to agree with the
United States and England. paralyzcd,
the regular and lawful functions OF au-
thorlty. and created an excuse for set
ting up the "provislonaH concern-a
purely German establishment. Surely
which suspended the provisions OF the
trl- partite compact and put all power
In the hands OF q minority. i'
1t Is with the results of this extra
ordinary and tatuous proceeding, how
ever, that we have to deal. Naturally,
neither the United States nor England
could consistently aSSent'to situation
which e4tinguished the Berlin treaty,
excluded them both from any particlpa-
ton in the government of Samoa, and
practically usurped. In the interests OF
Germany, all authority over The entire
group of islands. Then followed, as
might have been expected. naval re-
endorsements for both the ousted pow,
ers. and. colncidently came Admiral
Kautz with Instructions which enabled
him to deal with the emergency. Thus
it happened thai KautZ. with the sup
port and assent OF both British and,
American authorities. issued his now
famous prociamation:
ITO his highless Mataafa end the thir-
teen chiefs associated with him in
particular. and to 1ll the people OF
Samoa, both foreign and native, In
general:
y. Whereas. at meeting held this
day on board the United States flagship
Philadelphia at anchor at Apia, at which
were Present the consular representa-
lives OF the siGHa,ory powers OF the
Berlin treat! OF 1885 and the three SEN
ior naval officers of the game powers,
Il was agreed that the aO-celled pro-
r!stdnal government under High Chief
NCtaafa and thirteen other chiefs. can
have no legal status under the Berlin
treaty. and ear therefore not b.. recog-
niZel ny the consular and naval repre-
seE;Gtives. Il Is hereby ordered that
the high chief and the thirteen other
Chiefs 80 quietly to theis horles, and
Tn-; t.t Jaws OF samoa ana respect me
Berl!n treaty.
IL Is luFther oracrea tnat al the
e!'!s:S aEd thel peop" VINO nave peen
bsvc bocn ..nt - d;frn-sr, ,.a,r,s WV ~,
Inc samoan1iaI,nds return ny;a.iy ~
,he,r n rorcs,id I,o,,sa withnr, r,I,I.s,o
t,nn go 800 : $50
~ Tho r,,,r,rteoior nro,.ctI,r ., f,r
&c lie. II ,ha ,,,,,.,,,. ~ a.. ,,a,sni roraa,
now in this harho,, is given to ali who
quietly obey this order: on the other
hand. IL Will be used AGAINST all who
disregard 1t Or the rights OF quiet anu
nelceab!y disposed people.
y. The treaty of Berlin recognizes
the chief justice OF Samoa MS the high
est officer under the existing govern
ment, and as long as he holds his office
his authority must be respected and the
decree Of the court must be carried
out.
Is. Trusting that all residents of Sa-
moa Will have the good sense to observe
the requirements OF this proclamation.
which Is issued In the interests of peace.
with an earnest regard for the rights
OF all. both foreign and native. and
that there may be no occasion to use
power 70 enforce II: am reSpecltnlly'
,, Rot5sRr NAuIZ.
lar admlrai United states Navy.
Soiiiniahder-ln-Chief United States
: Haval FORCE on Pacific station.
Mafch II, 1879.
This would have had the desired eff
feet. 1t Is matter of history that
Mataafa and his followers had begun to
Withdraw. when the German Consul
Rose promptly issued q counter procla-
nation. as follows: - 81