Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-06-01

Apla, Samoa, via Auckland, May IS.
The Samoan commission, consisting of
Bartlett Trip, former United States
minister to Austria Hungary, Baron
Speck Won Sternberger, representing
Germany and c. N. Eliot, c. B., of the
British embassy at Washington, repre-
senting Great Britain, arrived here on
May Is. Its first sitting took place
May 16. The commissioners were en-
gagged all that morning in comforting
with the chief justice, William l..
Chambers. Nothing was disclosed re-
garding the deliberations, but it is re-
ported that they have practically de-
termined to uphold the action of Ad-
miral Kautz, the American naval COM
mander
Maatafa sent the commissioners a
letter of welcome and expressed hope
that they would satisfactorily end the
troubles in Samoa
1t is understood Mataafa will obey
the unanimous order OF the commits
sion, though it is doubtful whether he
will order his followers to disarm, I'M
less the Malietoans are first disarmed.
The Mataafans will probably dispense
to their homes if ordered to do so, but
they will never recognize Malietoa as
king, and doubtless there will be fur
Their trouble in the future if the king
ship is maintained.
Only one or two cases are known of
the wounding of natives by the shell
fire of the warships and as they have
not realized the strength of the Euro
peans they may go to greater ex-
tremes il war arises again.
The rebels remain outside the lines
indicated by the admiral and have
strongly fortified new position, while
the loyalists are being drilled and have
fortified Mulinuu. A considerable
number of loyalists have been brought
by the warships from other islands.
Half the male adults of Samoa are
awaiting action upon the part of the
commission in order to support Malie-
toa.
The Germans are preparing compen-
satiOn claims. 1t is understood one
German firm claims 100000, and that
other German subjects claim $4,000.
The British consul, E. B. S. Maxse,
invited them to put in their claims
and it is understood the commission
will adjudicate them
Replying to questions submitted to
him by a correspondent of the Associ-
ated Press, Mataafa said it was the
head chiefs and not himself who began
tho oAdinu hat ~
cause they were angered at power be-
ing taken from them by violence and
also because they were made angry by
the chief Justices unjust decision"
Mataafa claimed he had upheld the
treaty and said his orders throughout
were not to fire upon the Europeans
and that but for this order the whole
party of bluejackets could several times
have been shot down by large bodies
of natives concealed in the bush.
Armistice Not Disturbed.
Berlin, May pa dispatch received
here from Apia, Samoa, says the arm
istice was not disturbed on the arrival
there of the Samoan commission, and
that letters were being exchanged with
the view of disbanding the rival forces.
Kautz Coming Home
Washington, May 26.-The following
cablegram has been received at the
navy department dated Apia, May 16,
1899, via Auckland:
Secretary Navy, Washington
Badger arrived on May 10. The Phil
adelphia will leave so as to reach San
Francisco about June g. Commission
may desire to return on the Badger.
-"KaYtz.'