The Indianapolis journal., 1899-06-03
CONFERRlNG IN SECRET
SAMOAN COMMISSIONERS NOT GIVING
OUT THEIR PROCEEDINGS.
Talk with the Chief Justice-Dr. SeIf's
Dilemma When He Arrived at Apia
No Place for Him.

SAN FRANCISCO, June 1.-The steamer
Alameda, from Australian ports via Apia,
Samoa, and Honolulu, arrived here to-day
and brings the following from the Associated
Press correspondent at Apia, dated May 19:
The United States steamer Badger, bear
ing the commissioners of the United States,
Great Britain and Germany. arrived at Apia
May Is. The commissioners have elected
Mr.. Trip, the American representative,
chairman. On their arrival they received let
ters of welcome from King Malietoa Tanu
and from Mataafa. Both letters were ac-
knowledged. The commissioners are reticent
as TO their proceedings. Ii does not seem
to be their purpose to hold any public ses-
sions Up to date they have been busiy en-
gagged in preliminaries and a careful study
of the situation They have had interviews
with three consuls, the admiral and captains
Of the British war ships, the chief of police
and representatives of the London Mission
Society and the Roman Catholic mission
Their inquiries seemed directed to a thor
ough and exhaustive examination of all con-
cerned in connection with the trial and pro-
ceedfngs In the kingship matter. This after
noon they are to have an interview with
Kink TaDu and tomorrow with Mataafa.
Mataafa and five of his chiefs are coming
to Apia at the request of the commissioners
and they have guaranteed him safe passage
to and from Apia.
In connection with the kingship proceed
iDgs the commissioners wrote asking the
chief justice If he would forward them a
copy of the docket file in the Supreme
Court. This the chief justice did, at the
same time he in writing informed the COM
missioners that ne did so in order to aid
them in their investigation; that he claimed
for himself and his court, notwithstanding
the presence of the commission in Apia, the
full power and functions of the court as ex-
ercsed in the past and that his action must
in no way be regarded as abrogating those
powers or privileges. The Supreme Court
decision in the kingship matter was final and
was not subject to revision at the hands of
the commissioners. The commissioners, in
reply, were noncommittal and simply ac-
knowledged the receipt Of the chief justice s
letter.
The chief justice has been informed by the
chairman of the commission that the COM
missioners while in Apia do not intend to in
any way interfere with the powers or juris-
diction of the Supreme Court and that the
court will pursue the even tenor of its way.
DR.: Solf, who was nominated as president
OF the municipality, arrived by the last
steamer from San francisco. He is on the
horns of a dilemma. A president sent out
by the three treaty powers, yet he is no
president for the reason that he was un-
able to get into Office and assume his duties
before the arrival of the commissioners
Before he came to Apia he was informed
that as there was only one provisional gov
ernment in Samoa he had better apply on
his arrival to the consuls TO be put into
office. The Berlin treaty requires that the
president shall be appointed by the Samoan
government. When he got to Apia he found
Tanu installed as King and recognized by
the United States and Great Britain, but
not by his own government.
DIR. Solf is an official the foreign serv-
Ice list of the German government. He
could not and would not be allowed to act
until he had obtained his appointment but
he could not in the face of his CONSUL $
and the governments attitude, apply to and
thereby recognize Tanu and his government
He waited the arrival of the commissioners
They have superseded all hitherto existing
authority in Samoa and as such do not see
the necessity at the present for a president
DR.. Solf applied for the secretaryship of the
high commission, but this will be conferred
on Mr. Morgan, who came out as Commits
sioner Trips private secretary.