Omaha daily bee., 1899-02-09
AWAIT DECISION OF POWERS
DR., Kramer Of Samoan German Legation
Brings Advices for His Government
CHIEF JUSTICE CHAMBERS LIFE IN PERIL
British and American ConsuIs Did All
They Could to Prevent Recent
Hostilitics and Another Out
break Is Expected.

/ full details OF the recent outbreak at Apia TO
! the Associated Press from It's correspondent
! at that place.
DR.. Kramer, prominently connected with
the German legation in Samoa, was a pas,
senger and 1t is believed he brings imror-
| tant advices for his government regarding
the situation in Samoa. DR.. Kramer says
/ the situation Is at a standstill and the de-
| cision OF the powers is all that Is being
| awaited.
The Associated Press correspondent writes
that while Chief Justice Chambers had un-
der advisement the claims OF the rival can
didates for the kingship that Mataafa ma.
ives. who were numerically stronger, we're
| openly supported by the German officials,
and the entire German population began 10
| talk of immediate war in case the decision
went against him, and the life of lie chieT
| Justice was openly threltened by one Of the
chiefs.
The three cousuls agreed to issue a proc
| lamation, putting the cbiet justice and $
residence Under the protection OF the treaty
| powers. For some reason the German con-
sui broke his word and declined to do so.
| The British and American consuls there
upon issued a proclamation and hosted
! their national flags over the residence of the
chief justice. December 81 the chief justice
decided Mataafa was ineligible for election
and that Malietoa Tanus was king. The
| American and British consuls Immediately
recognized tie new king.
| The decision was received with omiuous
silence by the natives. Within an hour the
consuls, the president and the German ana
| British captains held a meeting. The Ger
man consul and president declined to recog-
nize Tanus aud went over to Mataafa. who
/ was waiting at Mulinu, the western portion
! OF Apia, with 5000 men under arms, unt til
| he had surrounded the loyal troops, 1900 in
/ number. who occupied the central portion
| of the town.
The Maletoans lacked arms and ammu-
milton. In a few hours the rebel forces
had surrounded the resdeoce of the chief
justice, who was guarded by 200 loyal na-
tives. and Captain Sturdy of II. NJ. S. Por-
poise landed twenty five sailors under Lieu
tenant Gaunt.
The residence was barricaded and the men
stood TO arms all night, when the chief JUS
tice and family were taken to the beach.
Fighting was expected to commence at any
minute and the British and American con-
suls did all they could to prevent hostiities.
A renewal of the fighting is expected.
If the two rebel PARTIES hal affected a
junction these loyalists might have been
slaughtered, but darkness came and the
fighting ceased. During the night Malietoa
people sought refuge in boats and were hud-
(, dled together Unuer the guns OF the Tor-
| poise. After the retreat from the Tivoli to
the mission II was found that King Tall haa
! been left at the Tivoli. Captain Sturdy and
/ Consul Maxse went TO the hotel and brought
the king safely back. It was a brave deed
and, although the rescuers were fred upon
repeatedly, they escaped without damage.
The British sailors under Lieutenant
Gaunt behaved splendidly. They held their
fire for a direct attack. which never -am,.
The American consul Mr. Osborne and fam
lily took refuge in the British consulate
which was closely guarded by British sail
ors. BY the fight OF Maletoa men to the
Porpoise the rebels were left in absolute
possession of the town. All Samoan houses
were looted and burned. White mems
houses were invaded and searched for
Samoan property. Trees were cut down
crops were spoiled, dogs and horses taken
away and boats either stolen or destroyed
In the extremity the consuls, the presiden,
and the leading Mataafaian chiefs came &c
an agreement 10 preserve life and property
and to keep order.
Germans Try to Gain Ascendancy.
The British and American consuls agreed
TO the provisional government arrangement
with the understanding that ii was in no.
wise TO affect the Berlin treaty or any Off
cial OF the powers, or any officer under IL
and that the Malietoa people who had beer
taken Oh board the Porpose should be al
lowed to 60 to their homes their arms be-
ing retained on the Porpoise.
The first act of the provisional govern
ment, however, showed the fixed determi
nation of the German officials to assume al
ascendancy in Samoa affairs. By pubic
notice the Samoan government abolished
me supreme court and then decided thai
the president was the acting chief justice
and that Chief Justice Chambers no Longer
held Office. They seized the supreme cour
and placed new locks on all the doors.
Captain Sturdy OF the Porpoise gave no
tice that II any resistance to the opening o
the court by Justice Chambers was Offered
the Porpoise would open fire on the town.
Mataafa, upon receiving Sturdy's ultima
tum withdrew his armed guard from th
court house and on January I the chic
Justice, with guard Of twenty-five men
landed.
The chief justice and the two consul
walked 10 the court house and after an ex
citing colloquy with the German oficia'
Chambers ordered the door broken in witt
sledgehammer. The session of the cour
was then held. Three cheers for the iustic
and the British and American consuls wer
given by the British and Americans and III
crowd dispersed.
All is now quiet and far as hghtin
is concerned is so up to date The chic
Justice has sent his family to Auckland AM
he himsef is on the Porpoise. The German
:. still insist that DR. Rafael is chief Justice
The action of the provisional governmen
in deporting the Maleoa chiefs is elaine
to be in direct opposition to the agreemer
made with the consuls.
e Sixty chiefs were sent to Mauua, but OWN
to bad weather could not reach that island
They were taken to Tutuila by the Page
Pago people. who have declared their ale
g glance TO Maietoa. They tried to captur
" the guard at the prison, but the schoone
'e got under way too quickly. Everythin
= points to another fight among the native
= at no distant time. Part OF the Mataaf
u people are dissatisfied with the looting an
'e deportation Of the chiefs and are now talk
+ ing OF uniting with the Malietoa faction.
re During the fighting between the native
5 Mataafas party lost thirteen killed an
i fourteen wounded aud the kings party los
four killed aud eight wounded.
Decision on kinKship.
e The decision OF Chief Justice Chamber
A awarding the kiugship OF the Samoan island
IT, II Il IL