The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-14

Written for the Sunday Standard.
Any one who supposes for a moment
that interest in Samoa has abated is not
alive to the Importance of events in
that quarter. News comes through
slowly, owing to the want of a means
of telegraphc communication, and on
this account the gravity of the outbreak
is overlooked. But Germany considers
the state of affairs serious enough to
Grefion from her Chinese squadron. The
commission, upon whose presence the
peace lovers count so much, is on the
way to Samoa, and the present situa-
ton, from all points of view, is full of
interest.
For such small portion of the globe,
Samoa has proved herself capable of
causing considerable dissension and
jealousy among the big nations who
guard or break the peace of the world
The intrigues of the representatives of
the various people interested in the
islands led to the necessity for some
sort of an understanding as far back
as 1884, when Germany and Great Bri-
tam agreed to respect the independence
of the islands, andin 1890 an agreement
between the United States, Great Bri-
tain and Germany was ratified at Ber-
lin, by which it was believed all con-
tentions would be settled for good
through the recognition of a native
chief who was agreeable to all parties
and the establishment of an interna-
tional court to be presided over by a
judge appointed by the king of Sweden,
to which disputes between resident for
eigners We're to be referred
Under these new conditions Samoa
seemed to be so peaceful and safe a
spot that the famous author, Steven
son, when consumption had placed a
close limit on his life, chose the island
as a quiet place in which to wait for
death. But somehow the natives Of the
volcanic island seemed to have a dis
like for a quiet life, and We're always
either on the edge of an outbreak or in
actual conflict The cause Of the pres
ent trouble will be interpreted different
~ according to the nationality of the
interpreter, but from correspondent
who recently passed through Samoa on
his way home. the true and unpreju-
diced account of the origin of the trou-
BILE arises from the Germans having il
legally deposed the late King Malietoa
Iaupepa in 1887. When he returned
from exile in 1889 he found that Mataa-
ia, the high chief, had defeated Tama-
sese. the German nominee. and was in
authority The Berlin negotiations end
ed, however, in the reinstatement of
Malietoa, who had displayed no eager
ness to resume the reign of power, and
the exclusion of Mataafa. The chief.
in high dudgeon, thereupon retired to
Male, and. becoming menace to the
peace of the islands, was declared a
rebel, and, after some fighting, surren-
dared with his chiefs on board the Ka-
toofnba in 1893 From that time forward
there was peace. but the Germans had
taken Mataafa into favor and. when
MalietOa Laupepa died, in August,
1898, they supported him in his resolve
to contest the authority of Malietoa
Tanu, the nominee of Great Britain and
the United States.
The Germans in the municipality
were eXaspeTated at the dismissal of
Mataafa, whose accession to power
they knew would give them valuable
concessions The situation rapidly grew
dangerous, and the parties We're landed
from the Porpoise to protect the houses
of the British consul and Chief Justice
Chambers, an American subject, who,
in virtue of his authority, had given
judgment in favor Of Malietoa Tanu.
HOstilities broke out in January, and
many were killed. the king-elect and
his chiefs being compelled 10 take re-
fugc on board the Porpoise.
Our correspondent on arriving at
Samoa sought an interview with old
Mataafa, in his temporary triumph, to
learn his views upon the situation.
The chief was sleeping at the time.
but one of the very stout ladies of his
court. attired mostly in tampa hat,
introduced the visitor. Mataafa was
all smiles and greatly relished a cigar,
and the interview was conducted, smil-
ing and in dumb show. for a quarter
of an hour. An interpreter then ap-
peared and the visitor explained that
he had arrived from Ceylon, having
taken part in great battle in the
Soudan, and was on his way around
the world, and wished to learn which
power his highness considered would
best protect the interests of Samoa.
Mataafa, who had tasted the bitter
ness of the frowns and smiles of Ger
many, shook his head considered for a
time, and having ascertained that his
visitor was an Englishman, exclaimed
in the best English he could command.
"All same-like one-like ALL" Beyond
this safe utterance the chief would not
so, and our correspondent left, having