New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-21
THE TROUBLES IN SAMOA.
REPORT OF BARTLETT TRIP SEM III
THE SENATE.

Washington Dec. 20-In accordance Win
request from the Senate the President To-Day
transmitted to that body the personal report
Of Bartlett Trip. the United States member Oh
the Samoan Commission. to the Secretary Oh
State Mr. Trips report is apart from the
Joint report OF the Commission. and goes more
into the details of the exciting occurrences IN
Samoa which the Commission dealt with
He says that when the Commission arrived
seven warshps were anchored in the quiet lit
tie harbor OF Apia, but not single vessel or
commerce was TO be seen about those beautiful
islands. on land soldiers. white and native,
were patrolling everywhere. a thousand natives
armed with British rifles paraded past. Outside
the town thousands Of natives were under arms.
The commanders OF the war vessels believed
Mr. Trip said. that except for the enforced
armistice under orders from the great Powers
the troops OF Maetoa, with the assistance or
British and American marines. would have cas-
fly conquered the forces OF Mataafa, ended
the contest and established Maletoa firmly
upon his throne
He then recounts the disarming Of the natives
and the upholding by the Commission OF the
validity of Chief Justice Chambers's decision
favorable to Malietoa Mr.. Trip says that the
Judgment is necessarily conclusive, though the
reasons OF the Court by which II reaches such
conclusions he ever so fallacious. Elsewhere
Mr. Trip refers to Judge Chambers as good
lawyer and an honest man." He says the In
dividuaI Commissioners were free to express In
their separate reports their Views OF the conduct
of individuals growing out of the controversy
over Judge Chamberss decision but he does
not go at length into the matter He says both
the Germans Marquarett and Hufnagel who
were under arrest were Immediately discharged
by the Commission there being no competent
evidence against them
II might have been in bad taste. he points
out for white men to have espoused the cause
Of either candidate for native King, but no
rule OF law or ethics made II wrong. Mataafa
WAS the choice of an overwhelming majority OF
the Samoans. but In Samoa, Mr.. Trip says
"the select few and not the people determine
the election Of chiefs and kings.
AS 10 the course Of Admiral kautZ' ~ IL
maintained that the general instructions of the
naval commanders suffced to authorize the put
ting down OF an armed rebellion against the
lawful government. and Mr. Trip Is or opinion
that the instructions were not violated by obeS :
ing the orders OF a majority Of the three con-
suls
Mr. Tripp then explains In detail the abolition
of the kingshp and the new form or tripartlte
government proposed by the Commission. WHICH
however. is no longer pertinent since the p aI-
titlon Of Samoa He thoroughly urges the as
solving OF this partnership OF nations. which
has no precedent for It's creation nor reason
for it's continuance"
The chief importance OF the Samoan Islands,
Mr.. Trip points out lies In their location In
the great future pathway OF commerce. In
particular he details the strength and general
availability OF Page Page Harbor, and says tho
United States should not look with favor on any
foreign effort 10 share these advantages Lists
OF the claims filed and much documentary evil
dcnce taken are also submitted by Mr.. Trip