New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-11
THE GERMAN CONSUL'S VIEWS
REPORTS FROM SAMOA SUBMITTED TO
THE GOVERNMENT.
HERR ROSES PLEAS IN JUSTIFICATION OF
HIS ACTIONS-MATAAFA TRIED To
PREVENT WAR. HE SAYS

berlin. March IO-The "Relchsarzelger" to-
DIV publishes a series Of official dispatches from
| Samoa. Herr rose. the German Consul, In MS
report of tie events prior TO January /, dateu
| January %, says the decision OF Chiet justice
Chambers in favor of Malietoa Tanus was
/ bound TO have n sturefylHg effect rasmuch az
I'm 4 written statement. dated october 8, 1eoo
Mr. Chambers declared there was no ground
for contesting Mataafa's assumption Of the SOW
ereignty II lie was legally elected King.
In the course Of the discussion prior to the
! outbreak respecting the measures to I've adopted
| 70 assume public security Mr.. MaXse. the Brit
| ish Consul and Captain Sturdee, Of the British
cruiser Porpo9e are represented as intmating
| their intention to prevent forcbly any advance
OF the Mataafans and actively to protect the
| Tanusites. While the Germans only announced
such military measures were prompted by
the necessity to protect the lives and property
of the whites the British guards stationed at
Mr. Chamberss residence would, owing TO the
locality have been drawn directly into conflict
| with the natives.
Herr Rose then relates how he rode on the
afternoon Of January 1 to the Tivoli Hotel, In
order like many whites to watch events. and
how on his way there he had to traverse
body OF Mataafans, to whom. however. he did
not speak
Shortly after o'clock, the German Consul
continues he rode with Lieutenant Frienghus
Of the German warshp Fake. to songi and
home again. Thus the Consul adds Mr.. Cham
berss accusation that he rode at the head Of
troop of M1taafans at 40 when they attacked
the Tivllol Hotel, IS pure invention" as IS
proved by the written testimony Of Lieutenant
Frielinghus. The Consul says the first two
shots were fired by the Malietoans.
Recounting the establishment OF the Pro-
vislonal Government Herr Rose says DR.. Raffe
Ghe German President Of the Municipal Gov
eminent Of Apia) by his activity soon won uni
versal approval. and quotes the thanks received
from the British Consul and the captain of the
| Porpose
Thus, the Consul continues. the Provisional
| Government already accomplished fact
| on January ).
In regard to the attitude OF the warshIps the
Consul says that DR.. Raffel took measures for
the protection Of the British mission and also
| declares that Mataafa did not take part in the
fighting Moreover. it is pointed out, he was
recognized on the English side by letter pub
shed in the Apia newspapers
| According to Herr Rose Mataafa was not re-
| sponsible for the war; but up to the last en-
deavored to prevent it.
In another report Herr Rose describes the
| events between January and January .. He
| says Dr. Rancl closed the Supreme Court on
January because he thought Mr. Chambers
was precluded by law from exercising the func-
lions Of Chief Justice as long as the Govern
ment was installed contrary to his decision and
| he remained in office.
THE THREAT OF COMMANDMENT.
After opposing Mr.. Maxse's view that DR..
Raners action was an insult to the British
flag Herr Rose describes the forcible opening
of the Supreme Court on January by Mr..
Chambers and Mr.. Maxse. while the latter
threatened the bombardment of Apia and the
Porpoise trained her guns the Supreme
Court. Continuing, Herr Rose says that at the
time OF the compulsory reopeninS of the SUI
preme Court he refrained from applying to the
captain Of the Fake to protect DR.. RaHel be-
cause he did not wish that armed detachmehtS
OF two friendly States should confront one an
other for so Slight a cause"
Herr Rose next discusses Mr.. Chambers's
proclamation of January I declaring the SUI
preme Court to be Independent of the existence
OF any provisional government, and the COM
munication between United States Consul Os-
born and Mr. Maxse declaring Mr. Chambers 10
he the sole lawful Chief Justice, even during
tho exist,nce Of the Provisional Government
Herr Rose continues: when, after consulta-
tIon with the three consuls and Dr. Rafel. the
commanders of the two warships decided 10
establish provisional government, with Dr.
Paffel as the executive Captain Sturdee ana
Mr. Maxse were impressed with the great
services rendered to the English by the guard at
the mission on January ), through the eher-
cetic Intervention of DR.. Raffel, that they over
vhelned him with praise, and were ready TO
meet his views in every way OWING 10 "ise"'
official business upon which DR.. Raffel was en-
70 hp proclamation
ing to the provisional government was post
, no,ed until January 4. When DR.. RafteI on
January 4 in accordance with the arrangement
submitted the draft Mr.. Maxse who admitted
that he had changed his opinion, demanded 'ne
insertion of 4 clause relating to the general act
OF the Berlin Treaty
POWERS RIGHTS UNCHANGED.
A. the suggestion Of Mr.. Osborn. the clause
, was formulated follows:
, Nv no provision Of the proclamation shall the
. | rights and privileges Of the treaty l""e'S
representatives be changed OF susleNueu'
rhereupon Herr Rose remarks: In my opin-
ION II was a distortion Of the sense or these
words T. assert that Mr.. Chamberss position
lv virtue OF the proclamation. remained I'M
affected by the recent upheevaL
rerr Rose then declared In a proclamation
, dated January 8 that he held that the retention
. OF the post Of Chief Justice by Mr. Chambers
during the Provisional Government was pre-
Guided by the law; that he considered there was
, a Temporary vacancy, and that the president
Of the municipality should replace the Chler
Justice
4 third report from Herr Rose. dated Janu-
airy %. refers TO the Grevesmdhl case and de-
scrIbes how on Jan Iary 10 Grevesmtihl Ger
man subject. was Sc ltenced to n fine and I'M
. prisonment by chief Justice Chambers The
E sentence OF impr! 5onment became effective
forthwith. and Or. Raffel "as Representative
5 Chief Justice" and by the advice OF Herr Rose
auashed the imprisonment on the ground OF