The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-02-03
THE NEW ORDER IN SAMOA
ACoUIEsCED IN CHEERFULLY BY
ALL CLASSES.
Pubic Jpinion as Shown by Speeches,
Editorials and Communications in the
MISUNDERSTANDING Public Meeting.


NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Public Meeting.
The report published in America and
Europe that the German flag was raised
over the court house i'm Apia on the
arrival of the news there of the treaty
giving the island to Germany, does not
seem to have yet reached Samoa. There
is no intimation in the Samoan papers
that any such thing was done. The re-
port has been denied in the United
States Senate.
The new, arrangement in regard to
the Samoan group seems to have been
received there with acquiescence, and
at least as a settlement of political
difficulties and unsettled conditions.
At the opening of the meeting of the
Apia Municipal Council December 4,
President SOlf said: Before entering
on the order of the day I think it pro-
per to allude to a communication re-
ceived from the Imperial German Con-
sulate about the contemplated change
In the administration of the Samoan
islands. AS you have all no doubt heard
through the Colonial papers the three
joint powers came to a final agree
ment to settle Samoan affairs. AS far
as the official telegram from Count Won
Bulow, Imperial Minister of Foreign
her rights in these islands in favor
Of Germany and America; the latter
getting the islands of Tutuila and Ma
nu'a, and Germany the remaining part
of the group; in exchange Germany
withdraws her rights in the Tongan
group of islands, and arranges with
England in other places. AS this ar
rangement cannot come into operation
before all the contracting bodies have
ratified 1t no change in the conduct of
affairs will probably take place before
! the expiration of a couple of months.
l am unable ~ say how the administra-
ton of the Municipality will be affected
/ by the future government but I may
confidently state already that the I'm
perial German Government will I'M
doubtedly act fairly towards all par
ties"
The Samoan Herald says editorially
concerning the change of government:
/ "As this change of Government will
| necessitate a number of changes in Off
Gals here, we were pleased to hear the
President express himself that he ha6
no doubt the German Government
would deal literally with them. As
very little is known as to what
changes will be made, it would be use
less to make comment until such time
as we have had further information
From the Colonial papers we gather
that England and America have secur.
ed equal trade rights to their citizens
in accordance with the Convention OF
1886"
A farewell dinner was given Decem.
Der ~ to William Blackjack who has
recently left Apia after a residence
there of eighteen years, and who
| for much of that time was United
| States vice consul, there were present
representatives of all natlonalities. Ir
responding to the good wishes of the
guests Mr.. Blackjack among other
| things said: "a settlement of the LONG
vexatious Samoan difficulty has beer
arrived at and although not just what
we all wanted 1t to be, still I am GER
tain that it will be a great improve.
ment on the past.
mo person in Samoa has Tough
harder against German rule in these
| Islands than l have. I have Away:
ways knew it and I don't think they
have any poorer opinion of me for it
But gentlemen the fight is now over
| and the Germans have won it; and
were I to remain in Samoa they would
/ find me a good loyal staunch supporter
of their government, and it is the duty
of every one who remains here to dc
all in his power towards the mainte-
nance of peace and good order"
A correspondent of the Samoan
/ Weekly says:
whatever may be the feeling and
opinion of the different parties about
| the at last secured settlement of the
Samoa question, everyone residing or
these islands will agree that the separ.
alton of the small island CT Tutuila
from the main group and to have this
island governed by a separate admins
tration of an other great power mus
lead sooner or later to serious conse
nuences. To fence in the whole islanC
by a Gordon of custom house officer
will not only be hard and unjust, bu
also very difficult to carry out and a
the least a very expensive experiment
From the first beginning a specla
treaty of extraction must be conclud
ed by the two administrn lions as nat
urally every Samoan of tn" main isl
ands having reason to avade the auth
critics will take up his 1Omlcile in Tu
tuila and vice versa"
AS to the attitude Of the Samoans til,
Samoans Herald says:
"As we had been informed that ther'
was a movement made by the natives
to take matters in their own hands
as to the Government of Samoa,-w,
made enquiries and were Informed
that a public meeting had been held a
Leulumoega during the week at which
Mataafa and his chiefs were present
also that several chiefs from the Tam
side were there and made representa-
ton to the Mataafa party, who exhort
ed them to remain peaceable and ODE!
the law, and not be led away with an!
Tightly talk might be going on"