The evening times., 1899-06-10
CHAMBERS WAS TRUTHFUL.
Interesting Points In a Letter From
the Samoan CapftaI,

1
the Samoan Capital.
| New York. June 10.-An interesting let
| ter, containing Information about the con-
| dition of affairs in Apia, has been received
| here from a resident of the Samoan capital.
| who has lived there several years. 1t is
| dated April 81, and in part says:
American and English residents here
| are taking much interest in the row which
| has been raised by Germans and their
by Chief Justice Chambers. Of the Supreme
Court OF Samoa, to his brother DR.. p. F.
Chambers. of New York. The only trouble
with that letter is that 1t cuts to the bone
and lays open to the public gaze the canker
which the Germans have SO long been en-
deavoring to conceal from the world at
large.
Being unable to disprove a single state
ment contained in the latter, the Germans
are making 1t a basis for an attack upon
the chief justice, and, it is supposed, will
demand that President Mckinley will re-
call the chief justice. 1t is the United
opinion of American and English residents
here that If the United States Government
yields to Germanys demand it will be To-
litical blunder of most serious character.
and the world could not help but believe
that 1t is triumph for Germany.
1T Is quite true that Samoa is a small
and insignificant place, and that the COM
mercial interests of the United States here
at present may not be thought to amount TO
very much, but the issue and principles in
volved are as large and momentous as If
Samoa was as large as Australia and the
commerce ten times more valuable.
''The fact is that the principles involv-
ed in Samoa are of more political import
ance than those which led to the war with
Spain. The United States entered into
solid compact with England and Germany
to manage the political affairs Of Samoa SO
as TO stop the interminable wars of this
country. and these powers should most
assuredly carry out their obligations.
THE conduct of Chief Justice Chambers
has been conscientious and honorable
throughout. and his decisions characterize
ed by kindness and impartiality. The
German Consul General has done all in
his power to harass and obstruct the chief
justice in the administration of his dI-
ties, and this fact was made plain in the
letter which the chief justice wrote TO his
brother.
THE contents Of the letter can be prov
ed to be absolutely true by all officials
here except the Germans. and by many
private persons Of high character. The
American people at home had a right to
know the truth and the whole truth about
the situation, and their countrymen here,
as well as English residents. are heartily
glad that the facts were represented in
such a Straightforward and convincing
manner by the chief justice.
"One of the peculiar features OF the war
in Samoa is the manner in which the reb-
els under Mataafa have obtained firearms
and ammunition and are continuing to do
so. There is little doubt that the supply |
is provided by Germans. In fact German |
was found after the engage |
ments that have taken place between the |
rebels and American and English troops |
in the forts and strongholds of Mataafa's |
men.
II. J. Moors. an American, whose |
strong affiliations with the Germans and |
with the rebels for long time has brought |
upon him the execration of his fellow
is still practically a prisoner
in his own house by order of Rear Admiral
Kautz. of the Philadelphia He is not per-
mitted to hold communication with any
person except on his own premises. His
store has been closed and two sentries
watch him continually.
"one OF the discouraging features OF the
4
Of Malietoa, in whose behalf Americans
and Englishmen lost their lives and shed
their blood, are stealing and destroying
the property OF American and English res
idents. Samoans generally look upon a
white man as one from whom they should
get as much as possible without thinking
Df how it may be done.
They have for some time been looting
he houses of Americans and Englishmen.
The contents have been either stolen or
Jthrwise destroyed. The so-called friend
les are occupying themselves in taking
they can lay their hands on
not Immediately under the eyes of the
american and English troops. Besides
stealing household articles they kill the
oigs and chickens Of Americans and Eng
ishmen. cut the tails off the horses. break
iown their fences. destroy outhouses and
ievastate their gardens. Everything but
he bare buildings are destroyed, and own
,rs are practically homeless.
1T is bad enough to have our houses
ooted or destroyed by rebel parties. and
his to great extent has been expected,
out 1t is outrageous that this should be
lone by the very people whom the Amer
cans and British are fighting for. It's
,ase Of save us from our friends
This, if nothing else. should be con-
'incing proof Of the unf1tness OF the Sa-
moan people for autonomous government
rhe only possible hope Of security to for
ign life and property lies IN the annexa-
ion of the country by one of the foreign
'owers. That, in the opinion Of foreign
RS here. will be the only definite settle
nent OF the everlasting Samoan trouble"
saurD uuorxrHr rpo~ nm,