The evening times., 1899-04-13
THURSDAY. APRIL 1S. 1899.
Thc Snmoau Rebellion.


II the killing of American and Engnsn
marines near Apia were an isolated INCL
dent we might regard it, as some OF the
oyer-oautious English journals do, as
side issue and without an important bear
ing on the general question OF samoan
government. 1t is not merely part Oh
the situation. as it has appeared TO DE-
but related to and revelation OF the
causes Of all the trouble. That is, If the
report is accurate as to the part played
by the German planter on whose property
the tragedy was enacted there is no
more reason to doubt the truth of the
statement that he urged the savages on
than any other part OF the report, ana
there is no ground for assuming that he
acted simply on his own account. II the
German government can disprove any or
all of this, then the killing becomes oliy
an incident in the rebellion and of no spe-
cial significance. 1t falls to that govern
ment to disprove it or stand convicted OF
having through its agents and subjects,
incited the followers of Mataafa to cause
less insurrection.
II may be well to note the essential
lin agreement the power TO decide the
election of king was vested in Chief Jus
rice Chambers. Mataafa received ma
icrity of the votes, but the Chief Justice
decided that he was ineligible. The con-
suls were bound TO accept this, right or
wrong, until they should receive other in
structionS from their respective home gov
ernments. Instead, Herr Rose, the German
Consul, and Dr. Raffel, the German Presi-
dent of the Municipal Council took forci-
BILE possession of the courthouse, the latter
declaring the Chief Justice deposed. 1t is
charged. bat denied. that Consul Rose per-
sonaIly led the Mataafans against the par
tisans of Malietoa. the candidate in whose
favor the Chief Justice had decided. At
any rate il is not denied that the Germans
were in active sympathy with and advised
the rebels.
At the instance of the Germans provis-
ional government was instituted. with the
understanding that it would serve until
instructions were received from the home
governments; but the rebels, who had done
some killing, remained under arms near
Apia. When Admiral Kautz arrived with
the American cruiser Philadelphia, Chief
Justice Chambers explained the situation.
stating that he was forciby kept from ex-
crcising his official functions which had
been usurped by provisional government
for the creation of which there was no war
rant in the Berlin agreement. After two
days inquiry. Admiral Kautz issued a
proclamation, in which he rected the facts
of Malietoa, who was subsequently crown
ed as king. He ordered the rebels to dis
perse They thereupon- broke camp
and started for their homes, when
they were recalled by proclamation
of Consul Rose denying that he had agreed
10 the abolition of the provisional govern
ment and the restoration of the Chief JUS
tice, and affirming his support of Mataafa.
While his denial was true he knew that
his proclamation would mean an outbreak
of hostilities. Admiral Kautz finding his
orders ignored. began his threatened bonn
bardment OF the rebels. 1t is charged that
Consul Rose instructed the latter to fight
and it is believed that ammunition was
supplied to them from the German vessel
Fake There has been no doubt about
German sympathy with the rebels and no
attempt has been made to conceal the
fact. The only question was whether, af-
ter the proclamation of Admiral Kautz
the Germans had led or assisted Mataafa's
followers in their violence. Nobody
doubts it, but was there proof? That is
answered by the active part taken by the
German planter in the killing Of the Amer
lean and British marines. He cannot be
considered as an individual He holds his
place under the German government and
could have no interest in the rebel cause
as person.
II is undeniable that the Samoan people |
are mild and tractable, and under no prov
ocation would they rebel against white
authority without white leadership This
is the testimony of everybody who knows |
them. The fact of rebellion is proof OF !!
white leadership. In this case it is proof |
of the leadership of Herr Rose. Whatever
may be said of the right of the German
Consul to issue proclamation denying
the erroneous statement of Admiral |
Kautz. the refusal Of himself and Dr. Raj |
fel to submit to the election decision of |
the Chief Justice was a violation of the |
Berlin agreement and the sole cause OF l
the rebellion. The action of the American
Admiral was intended to restore the su-
premacy of the law under which Samoa |
was to be governed. Consul Rose had his |
remedy for Misrepresentation In an appeal |