The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-13
GERMANS HELD IN CHECK
SCHEME FOR COUP IN SAMOA DE-
FEATED BY ENGLISHMEN.
Prompt Action Taken by the Captain
of a British War Ship-American
Vessel Needed.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan PA letter
dated Apia, Dec. Is. has been received by
the Associated Press from its Samoan cor
respondent, which shows how alarming was
the situation when the steamer Mariposa
left Apia for this city. The correspondent
says the contest between the followers of
Maiietoa and Mataafa for the throne has
developed into a bitter fractional fight and
that civil war has been barely averted.
Lives of white citizens were imperiled.
1.-The trouble began" the letter continues,
Immediately upon Mataafa's return from
Jaluit. Though he was nominally held a
prisoner, the consuls, actuated by kindly
motives, gave him permission to reside on
the royal demesne, at Mulinuu, and to
take such of his adherents as he chose with
him. Mataafa's people began crowding by
thousands into the limited space of the
Mulinuu peninsula, driving out the followers
of Maiietoa- Fortunately, Malietoas people
preserved friendly attitude and obeyed the
proclamation of the consuls demanding that
peace should be maintained at all hazards.
But still the usurpers of Mulinuu were ag
gressive and issued proclamation declaring
Mataafa King of Samoa. Further, they as
sumed to themselves royal powers, and, Sc
cretly encouraged by the Germans, pro-
ceeded to deport public officers and appoint
their own nominees. The climax was
reached when Mataafa and his chiefs
tuauy discharged the chief justice, VINO IS
appointed under the Berlin treaty by the
three powers. OF course, such action was
purely farcical and the chief justice speed
lily notified Mataata that he must wait for
the decision OF the court before he could
legally declare himself King.
The most serious element in the whole
affair is the disagreement between the con-
suls. The German consul has been playing
double with his colleagues, and the English
and American officials are naturally indig-
nant 1t was understood that there was To
be no foreign interference in the royal eiec
tons, yet throughout it all an undermining
current of intrigue has been at work with
the Mataafa people until they have been
reused to aggressive action, have openly de-
ciared against all white control and an
nounced their intention of diregardlng en-
tirely the Berlin treaty. 10 show the eX-
tent of the feeling aroused, Suatele, a re-
ligious fanatic who is one of Mataafa's
most prominent adherents, is quoted as say
ing:
" Samoans, you must fight strong; when
you fight xiii. When you meet white man
cut him up; when you meet a missionary cut
him up; when you meet a deacon cut him
up; when you meet a Samoan CUT him up.
We Will break through the bonds OF the
treaty; we will leave no municipality
Chief Justice Chambers commenced his
examination into the merits of the rival
candidates on Dec. 10. in the presence of a
great crowd of natives. and, under the Ber-
lin treaty, the chief justice is the final ref
cree III ltllS matter. MdIadla people en-
tered vigorous protest against the en-
ployment of attorneys in the case The
next day the Germans brought forward d
lawyer named Won BuloW and asked that
he be sworn in as a solicitor of the court
This was done, but in half an hour the chief
justice had to rebuke Won Bulow for his dis
respectful conduct toward the court and
threatened him with disqualification
On the following day ii was reported that
Suateie and other fanatical adherents of
Mataata had formed plot to murder the
chief justice, Mr. Gurr and other whites
CONCERNED in the case The chief justice i'm
medlately called meeting of cOnSulS and
both English and American representatives
agreed to hoist their flags over the threat
ened house. The German consul, however
demuTfed, claiming that he would have first
10 consult the captain of the war ship Buzz
Yard. Fortunately, the captain of the Eng
fish war ship Porpoise was man of vigor
ana dash: through his influence clash
was avoided. He promptly cleared his ship
far action and declared in favor of the
English-speaking consuls. Meanwhile ma
tive guards patrolled the roads and the
threatened attack of Mataafa's fanaticaI
adherents was averted.
The most sensational scene in the drama
occurred, however. on Dec %, when all the
evidence in the case had been heard and
Gurr, as consul for Malietoa. was summing
II up. 1t was discovered that Mataafa came
from a race of princes which had been cut
on by an ancestral curse from the line of
succession. An exciting scene ensued Ma
promptly elected Outside the crowd of
Sanoans raised a great tumult and their
them from coming TO blows.
THE captains of both the German and
English men-of-war were in court. When
the row at its height the German cap
tain invited the Emglishman outside. War
is certain, he said. But the Englishman
did not see it IN that light He told the Ger
man that he would stand by with his ship
and would be ready to rub il into any one
who talked fight There is a general feeling
here that the whole scene was prearranged
in order to lead TO tumult and thus give Ger
man officials an excuse for an armed inter-
ference. The prompt action of the cap
tain OF the Porpoise, however, defeated the
plot
The trial is expected to close about the
end Of December and there may be more
trouble. Mataafa's people threaten that If
the decision is against them they will attack
the town. No alarm is felt, however because
MataaIa has only about 100 armed ad-
herents. while Maietoa, who is quite ready
TO meet them, has over 1900 resolved fol-
lowers.
American citizens greatly regret that no
American man-Of-war has arrived. The dis
play of the stars and stripes at this juncture
would have added immensely TO the national
prestige and al the same time would have
strengthened the hands OF the American
consul Al present Mr. Osborn is powerless
10 effect anything 1T violence is threatened.
IL American life or property is endangered
he can only appeal for aid TO the British
man-of-war."