The Indianapolis journal., 1899-07-15
ROSE AT WHITE HOUSE
FORMER GERMAN CONSUL TO SAMOA
TALKS WITH M'KINLEY.
Later He Discusses Happenings in the
Islands and the Work of
the Commission.

WASHINGTON, July 14.-Consul General
Rose, the German official, who has been one
of the foremost figures In the recent events
in Samoa, called at the White House to-day
and was introduced by Secretary Hay to
the President. A brief talk on Samoan af-
fairs occurred, and hopes were expressed
on both sides that the cause of recent fric-
ton had disappeared. Herr Rose after
wards saw representative of the Asso-
ciated Press and gave an interesting outline
of the conditions up to the time he left
Samoa
Prior to the arrival of the Samoan COM
mission" said he, IAN armistice had been
arranged with the native forces. Mataafa
and his men were back of line sweeping
around the city of Apia and extending from
the town Of Falenla to Lantii. The Ma
taafa forces numbered about $500 men.
Tanu and his men occupied the peninsula
jutting out from the mainland near Apia.
They numbered about 1000 men. Both
forces were fairly we'll armed. but the Tanu
men had, in addition. to their old arms,
about 200 modern rifles furnished by the
British ships at the time of the conflict.
1.-The commissioners first turned their at
tention to disarming the native forces. AS
soon as they arrived Mataafa sent letter
of greeting and said he would abide by any
decision they might make. The commission
then gave a hearing on board the Badger
to each of the claimants for the kingship,
Mataafa being heard one day and Tanu an
other. They were addressed not as kings,
but simply as Sir. AS senior member of
the body, the American commissioner, Mr..
Trip, asked some very direct questions of
Mataafa and Tanu. He wanted to know If
they were ready to give their support to
the commission, even If it determined to
deny the right Of one or the other of them
10 the kingship or to abolish the kingship
entirely. Serious as these questions were
to the two claimants to the throne, they
promised to support the commission In
whatever action was taken.
Some days later the Badger went along
the coast to Malie. where Mataafa's head
quarters were located The native chiefs
came alongside and formal surrender OF
1875 guns was made to the commission.
Mataafa and his chiefs came abroad the ship
party followed with the surrender of their
arms few days later, for while the deci-
sion Of the commissioners had upheld Tanu,
concerned that the native kingship should
be brought to an end. and that an admins
tration by white men. at least over those
localities where white interests are greatest
should be brought about. Tanu yielded to
this decision. but for time there was some
prospect of trouble as the royal flags were
kept flying over the Tanu headquarters, de-
spite the fact he had surrendered the king
ship. This was a source If irritation TO the
Mataafa people. who considered 1t contrary
to the understanding arrived at.
'Since arriving in this country. however
/ understand that this source of difficulty
has been removed. and that the Tanu fla &
is withdrawn and the Tanu forces dispersed
The Mataafa people have also gone back
to the interior With natives disarmed and
both factors back to their homes, there is
every reason to believe that no further
trouble will arise and that the committee
Will be free to work out a satisfactory plan
for the future government of the islands.
In determining upon the abolition of the
kingship the committee examined the ques-
ton with great care. The opinion of all the
leading business interests in Samoa was Sc
cured and this was almost unanimous in
favor Of abolishing the kingship. The man.
ager OF the German company, which Is the
most extensive business concern on the
islands, strongly approves the plan of having
white administration. The two large Amer
ests and the smaller German concerns also
approved the pan."
Herr Rose did not wish to discuss the flI-
ture government of the islands. as this Nigh
anticipate the report of the committee. He
has no doubt, however, that the essential
principle will be the white mans admins
tratioD in place of the native kingship, GER
tainly for those parts where foreign interests
predomirate, while at the same time the
natives will be given proper consideration
in the direction of affairs In the interior of
the island Herr Rose expressed hope that
his visit here would help disarm any feeling
which had arisen. He will remain here some
and other points of interest before sailing
for Berlin.