The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-25
UPHOLDS KAUTz.
The Samoan Joint Commission
Has Reached Apia
And Begun the Settlement of
Island Affairs.
MATAAFA's WELCOME
Is Conveyed to the Commission
erS In Letter.
He Is Ready to Submit to Their
DictatiOn.

Apia, Samoa, May II, via Auckland.
N. T., May 25-The Samoan commits
sion consisting of Bartlett Tripp, for
mer U. S. S.minister to Austria Hungary;
Baron Speck Won Sternbu burg, represent
ing Germany, and c. H. Eliot, c. B., of
the British embassy at Washington,
representing Great Britain, arrived here
on May 13. Its first sitting took place
May 16. The commissioners were en-
gagged all that morning in comforting
with the chief justice, William L.Cham-
bers. Nothing was disclosed regarding
the deliberations, but it is reported that
they will uphold the action of Admiral
Kautz. the American naval comman-
der.
Mataafa 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, but it is doubtful whether he will
order his followers to disarm, unless
the Maliatoans are first disarmed. The
Mataafans will probably disperse to
their homes if ordered to do so, but
they will never recognize Maliatoa as
king and doubtless there will be furth-
er trouble in the future if the kingship
is maintained.
Only one or two cases are known of
the wounding of natives by the shell
uTG Ol the WdESnIpS anu as IH6y nave
not realized the strength of the Euro
peans they may go to greater extremes
if 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 num-
ber of lOyaliStS have been brought by
the war ships from other islands.
Half the male adults of Samoa are
awaiting action upon the part of the
commission in order to support Malta
toa.
The Germans are preparing compen-
sation claims. 1t is understood one Ger
man firm claims 100000 and that other
German subjects claim $4,000. The
British consul, E. 3. S. Maxse invited
them to put in their claims and it is
understood the commission will adjudi
cate them.
him by a correspondent of the AssOci-
ated Press, Mataafa said it was the
head chiefs and not himself, who began
the war, adding that they did so be-
cause they were angered at power be-
ing taken from them by violence and
also because they We're made angry by
the chief Justices unjust decision"
Mataafa claimed he had upheld the
treaty and said his orders through
out were not to fire upon the Euro
peans and but for this order, the whole
party of blue Jackets could several
times have been shot down by large
bodies of natives concealed in the
bush.
TO DISBAND FORCES.
Berlin May 25.-A dispatch received
here from Apia, Samoa, says the arnis-
tice 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.
MAY SOON RETURN.
Washington, May 25-The following
cablegram has been received at the
navy department, dated Ap1a, May 16
via AnnlSl9n6
Secretary Navy, Washington: Badger
arrived on May IS. The Philadelphia
will leave so as to reach San Francisco
about June 25. Commission may de-
- '.KAUTz."
KAUTZ TO COME HOME.
Washington, May 25.-Admiral Kautz
will return to the United States with
the Philadelphia. The flagship will be
replaced at Apia by the cruiser Newark
which is as formidable in every respect
as the Philadelphia and having recently
been renovated is in shape for long SER
vice. She was started for Apia about
six weeks ago from New York, making
her way around South America. She
sailed on the 18th instant from Uruguay,
for Valparaiso, Chile and at the latter
port will receive her instructions to put
straight across the Pacific to Apia.
The New York is due at Valparaiso
about the end of this week and taking
a few days to coal should make the pas
sage across the Pacific by the middle
of July. When the commission sailed
from San Francisco it was not settled
whether or not the Badger was to re-
main at Apia awaiting the convenience
of the commission. 1t was supposed that
the commission would decide that mat
ter for themselves; If their mission
could be soon executed, then the Badger
would wait. The intimation contained
in Admiral Kautz'S cablegram that the
commission may desire to return on the
Badger is therefore construed at the
state department into an indication that
it expects to make short work of the
adjustment of the Samoan imbroglio
OF course the desire of the commission
will be respected by the navy depart
ment and instructions will at once be
forwarded to Captain Miller of the
Badger to remain at Apia.
Plan of Cavite.