The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-06-10
SELLING ARMS
OF THE SAMOANS
Five Thousand Stands to Be Dis
posed of-Isnorins
MaIietoa.

WASHINGTON, May 31.--One of the
final steps toward CLOSING up the Sa-
moan question was taken by Secretary
Hay today when he requested the Navy
Department to sell at public auction
the 5000 stands of arms surrendered
to the high joint Samoan commission
by adherents of the Samoan chiefs,
MaIietoa and Mataafa, and brought to
the United States in the auxiliary
cruiser Badger.
These arms have been stored at Mare
Island, and have been a source of
some negotiations by the three inter-
ested powers-Great Britain, Germany
and the United States. Great Britain
and Germany finally decided that it
would be wise to dispose of the arms,
and they requested this Government to
sell them The proceeds of the sale
will be turned over to the State De-
partment, which will consult with the
other powers regarding the disburse-
ment of the money to the natives who
delivered the arms to the commission.
The only question remaining to be
disposed of in connection with Samoa
is that of claims arising out of the
military operations that occurred on
the island of Upolu. These claims have
been submitted to the King of Norway
and Sweden for arbitration.
IGNORING OF MALIETOA.
SAMOA, May S.-Malietoa is still in
Fiji, and the Samoans want him to
come back. 1t is stated that he will
not return until Great Britain, Ger
many and the United States have car
ried out the promises given to Malietoa
when he was induced to abdicate the
throne in ordersto give the high COM
mission a clean field to work upon. He
was to receive an annuity and an edu-
cation. The promise does not appear to
be expressed in writing, and the high
commissioners may deny the promise.
Malietoa is positive that when docu-
ment was handed to him by person
representing the commission, and
which he was then induced to sign, he
was promised the powers would assist
him in his desire for a higher educa-
ton, and would make provision for his
future Malietoa has written to the
three powers, but so far has not reee1v-
ed any satisfactory reply. Dr. Solp.
the German Governor, states that he
has reserved a high position in the
for Malietoa.
In Tutuila, on April 18th, the Ameri-
can Samoans held great celebration.
1t was the anniversary of the hosting
of the United States flag in Tutuila.
and the Samoans came from all parts
to take part in the functions arranged
for the celebration. Governor b. F. TIL
ley has paid a visit to the outlying ISL
and of Manua and had a most loyal
welcome from King Tuimanua and his
chiefs.
The German court of Apia convicted
two of the accused Samoans of the
murder of a Chinese last year. The
principal, Pupu, was sentenced to be
hanged. and his accomplice to serve
fifteen years of hard labor. Pupu suf-
ferred the penalty last week. The night
before his conviction he endeavored to
commit suicide.
There will be new line of steamers
to connect Apia with San Francisco.
Mr.. Kunst, who bought the land In
German Samoa known as the American
lands. has now bought two steamers
from the Union Steamship Company of
New Zealand. The first, called the
Rangoroona, is daily expected at Apia,
and thence she will proceed to Honolu-
lu and San Francisco. Since the
Oceanic Company stopped calling at
Apia settlers and traders have been
Respondent, but now. in Mr.. Knusts
venture. their hopes are being revived,
and they make no secret of their en-
deavor to cripple the trade of Page
Page, which place is the great envy OF
the residents of Samoa.
The balance of the lands held by
Eellman, Neylan & Hobbs Of San Fran
cisco, in trust for the Polynesian Land
Company, has been sold to G. Knust,
who several years ago bought vailima,