The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-01
SAMOA WITHOUT A KING. |
HIGH COMMISSIONS ORDER ABOLISH
ING THE MONARCHY

Chief Justice Chambers Asked to Remain
at Least Six Months-Cierman Commits
sioner Said to Blame the German
Consul for the Recent Outbreak.
AP1A. Samoa. June 10. via San Francisco. June
30.-The abolition ofthe monarchy and the res
ignatlon OF the young King. Malietoa Tanu. are
the important events since the last mail. Tho
Joint High Commission is now at work franz
ing form OF government to take the place OF
the monarchy. To this end the commission
has issued an invitation to all citizens and
residents OF Samoa to appear before 1t and
give their views on the present condition OF
affairs and the form OF permanent government
best suited to Samoa and the Samoans.
Chief Justice Chambers has been fully sua-
tanned in his decision giving the throne TO
Malietoa Tanu. and he has been asked by the
commission to remain as Chief Justice for at
least six months. though he has received as
surances from President Mckinley that II he
wishes to return to the United States he shall
have as good an office as the Chief Justiceship OF
Samoa He has practically decided to remain
where he Is.
Immediately upon the declaration OF the
commission that he was the lawful King. NAL
ietoa Tanu resigned his kingship on condition
that the monarchy should be abolished. His
resignation was accepted and the monarchy
was declared at an end Following IL the proc
lamation covering these points:
Whereas. the great powers Of Germany.
Great Britain and the United States OF America
for the purpose OF restoring tranquility in the
islands Of Samoa and establishing provisional
Government therein. have invested the High
Commission with supreme power and author
ity and. whereas. the decision Of the Chief
Justice declaring Malietoa Tanu Matlle to bs
the King Is considered by the High COMMITS
said Nialiet"a Tanu Manic has voTntary ten en-
dered to the High Commisso his resignation
and. whereas. the High Commission has de-
cded to abolish the office OF King in Samoa
.Notice Is hereby given that during the stay
Of the High Commission in Samoa unless or;
ders to the contrary are, issued al the official
performed by the three Consus OF the great
powers; a majority OF whom are authorized to
unanimity Of action Is not required The
Chief Justice Will continue to exercise the du-
OF the Municipal Council Of Gpla, and ali other
officers Of said municipality will continue to
perform the duties oil theF resPectlysr ofises
High Commissioner # tSe En1tsd States
Her Britannia Majesty'e High Com missioner.
.,.,, IA, High Commissioner OF Germany.
The natives have been disarmed as far as
the commiss!on, about hafby Mataafa's forces
and half by Malietoas men. 1t il believed that
there are still many arms among the natives.
The feeling is that majority OF the Samoans
will accept the decision OF the commission. but
1t is feared that some OF the chiefs may try to
make trouble. The attitude Of Mataaia had not
been well defined at the time the Mariposa
sailed. 1t is said that Baron Won Sternberg. the
German missioner. is convinced that the
responsibility for the late outbreak rests upon
the German Consul
ID. G. Cham bers. son Of Chief Justice Cham
bers and lately Registrar OF the Supreme
Court is returning to Sheffield Ala. His place
has been flgd BY the app3intment OF an Eng;
ltshman. J. r. Denves Dr. Solf has assumed
his duties as President OF the Municipal
Council.
For several days warships OF all three nations
have been engaged in returning refugees to
their homes The British cruiser Porpolse has
left Samoa after a stay Of more than a year.
leaving tho cruisers Tauranga and Torch. The
German cruiser Cormorant has arrived and re-
placed the Fake. which will leave in a day or
two. The United States collier Brutus will sail
for Honolulu within a few days. work at Pago-
Page having been well begun. Lieut.. Stafford.
executive officer OF the Brutus. received by the
Moana his commission from President Mckin-
ley as Deputy Governor OF Guam