The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-29
A PROBLEMATIC FUTURE
Chief Justice Chambers Arrived and Re.
viewed the Samoan Situation.
THE FUTURE CAN NOT Be FORETOLD
No Government in samoa Can Sue
coed Under the Existing Ar
rangcmcnts.

San Francisco, Cal, July 2s. Chief Jus
tice w. L. Chambers OF Samoa arrived
here today on the steamer Moana, accom-
panied by his family. He is on four
months leave OF absence. but says that
his business In the United States is of
such nature that he will probably not
return to Apia.
In an Interview the chief justice said:
"All is now quiet in Samoa, but l can
not answer for the future. Both Mataafa
and Malctoa affect TO be satisfied with
the present arrangement, which abolishes
the Office of king and vests the respon-
sibiiity of government in the consuls of
the three powers. l feel sure Malietoa Is
sincere in this. Though fairly elected,
and after election accepting the kingsnip,
he has never had ambitions in that d.
rection. AS soon as the commission ar
rived ne proposed to resign, spirit wnicn
later proved to be in accordance with the
plans OF the commissioners and l have
every reason to believe that he will live
up to his bargain
"Mataaia is ambitious. For many years
he has thirsted for power and will not
be- SO easy satisfied. AT the same time
he is a man OF exceptional ability Is
shrewd and | have never thought the In
terests OF the natives would materially
suiIer IN ais hdnas.
Yes, my decision has been sustained
by the commission and 1t has published the
I fact in a proclamation.
with respect to the future. | can say
little This is the problem. In its work
the commission has endeavored to ellmi-
| nate from the original arrangement all the
features that nave appeared faulty or weak.
| Those features have been substituted by
others which experience has demonstrated
10 be more desirable and workable ii IS
difficult to frame any government under
/ trirartite control that Will be paramount,
4 but this is not due so much 10 the faull-
ness OF the theory as to the local dissen-
/ stems and the want of harmony among the
treaty powers. The success OF the com
mission demonstrated conclusively that
| The natives can be controlled peace main
| taired and laws enforced when the foreign
! governments work in accord Perfect har-
mony exists between the commission and
the chief justice.
"Apropos OF tho reported difficulties
and of which so much is in correspond
ence published here, permit me to say that
these were nothing more than little VII
lage difficulties which have passed en-
tirely unnuticed except that all eyes We're
turned on Samoan villages Just now and
that the island capital Is being swept by Il
telescope to perceive troubles not discerni-
Bile to the NAKED eye"
Justice Chambers said he had finished
up all of the cases to come before the
court this summer. The commission Is
empowered to appoint "A chief justice ad
interim to act in case anything arises
before permanent appointment is made.
Up 10 the time Chambers left the COM
mission had not decided who the new man
would be.
San Francisco. Cal, July 2s-The Sa-
moan advices under date of July IA were
received today by the steamer Moana, as
follows:
THE situation in Samoa is one OF great
uneasiness. The attitude OF the natives
is far from reassurIng. Several fgh $
have occurred in different portions of the
islands between supporters of the rivals
for the kingshIp and several natives have
been killed. Sjlhing much seems to have
been accomplished by the high commits
sion, since arms to the number of 400 were
surrendered by the contending factions
Chief Justice Chambers being dissatisfied
with the support extended to his court by
/ the commissioners viii leave today for
| Washington. Their action in refusing the
| aid asked for to sustain the courts au-
thority Is said to have been prompted
| by dispatches received by the German
commissioner from his home government,
which, 1t is claimed, is greatly displeased
with his recognition of the decision OF the
supreme court in the kingship case.
The commissioners have been we'll re-
ceived on all the islands they have visited.
At Tuluila the natives were prepared to
accept the proposed abolition of the royal
office ald the substitution of an executive
appointed by the three powers. AT Sa-
pcleulilia. the headquarters of Lanat, that
chieftain was defiant in manner, lndeat-
ing further troubles At Safune. the only
place where the natives took a promi-
neat part in the proceedings. there was a
fight with axes. knives and stones in the
presence OF the commissioners, one man
being severely wounded. The trouble was
caused by the meeting OF parties of Ma
taafa and Malietoa men. who were bearing
food offerings TO the commissioners. The
outcome of all these conferences is a meet
ing being held today at Mulimun point.
where the leading men of both sides are
discussing the future government of the
island. At Safta on July Z. some Mataafa
men attacked the home OF an opposing
chief named Taamai, who, with two others.
were badly wounded Her majesty's
steamer Torch went to the scene, but
quiet had been restored.
Last week the chief justice issued or
ders to certain towns in Sanaal to appear
before the supreme court In certain civil
cases where the judgment OF the court
had not been complied with. CHIEF La
natl ordered them not to obey. telling the
towns to pay no attention to the orders
OF the court, which was only words on
paper. Some towns did not appear. while
from the remaining ones only Maiietoans
appeared.
The Mataafa men openly dehed the court.
The chief Justice then asked the commits
sioners to support his authority with war
ships II necessary. and on their refusal he
decided to leave Samoa
The commissioners expect TO SAL Tor
the United States on the Badger jury TO-
London. July 2o.--The Times this morn
ing publishes a dispatch from It's Apia
correspondent under date OF July H. In
which he says: Malietoa Tanu and num-
Der OF his close adherents assembled to-
day at the departure OF the steamer to bid
fareweIl 10 Chief Justice Chambers.
IL is expected that Mr.. bartiett Trip
and Baron Speck Won Steinpere, respect
lively tho American and German members
~ the samoan commission, Will leave on
next Wednesday,,
The British commissioners, Mr., Elliott,
will remain to conduct inquiries on be-
half OF his government respecting the
origin and progress from the recent frou-
bles.