The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-07-17
.MAIAAFA AND The KAISER
IDEA OF SAMOAN KINGSHIP
PERSISTS
Natives Try to Turn a Sam IAN Custom
Into An Acknowledgment and An
nouncement of This Idea.

nouncement of This Idea.
APTA, Samoa, June 22.-The natives
are not entirely reconciled to the new
order of Things, or rather apparently
are determined to msconstrue them
and to make themselves believe that by
some process native supremacy will
again be restored. The SamoanisChe
Ieltung publishes the following regard
ing the latest political incident:
THE Governor who shortly after the
time of the flag hosting was urgently
requested nearly every day by the
thirteen chiefs. so-called, tthen in exist
ence, now extinct to grant permission
to hold TIE Toga feast did not assent
and found it advisable to treat the mat
ter dtatorily; he knew very well that
behind the whole affair the Tumua and
Pule We're trying to override the min
ority which had supported Tanu. 1t
was also evident that the idea of a Sa-
moan kingship under German protec-
ton was regarded as possible by the
friendly majority, commonly called the
Mataafa party.
AS well known. the Governor made
IT point not to grant the title of Tupu
TO Mataafa and originated the title of
AN sill which seemed to be also ac-
ceptable to those persons who at the
beginning of the new rule called them
serves dunelentS of MalietOa.
1t was the desire of the Tumua and
Pule to have the mat distribution made
as soon as possible; they wished TO
snow by this ceremony that Mataafa to
whom the mats are presented i'm the
frst place and who, as an acknowledge
ment of the title "Tupu" which the Tu-
mua and Pule had bestowed upon him
was to return those mats TO the 'rTupu
makers, is the real "Tupu" viz, King
over all Samoa
This of course was entirely unac-
ceptable to the Governor whose endea-
Vor has constantly been to bring about
the reconciliation and union of the two
hostile parties.
Being on the horns of a dilemma
ne by not granting altogether the mat
distribution would have offended the
majority to please the minority: and
he adopted the following course: that
the mat distribution should take place
IN honor of Mataafa's high position as
Ali Sill. As this title has been given to
Mataafa by the Emperor through his
representative here, the Governor, all
the mats are considered to be given to
the Emperor and by him to he returned
through his highest native official. the
Ali Sill.
I'm order to demonstrate this the
Governor appointed certain day on
which the mats should be shown pub
llcly to him, in the presence of all the
Government officials, of the Govern
ment Council and the leading citizens.
including the representatives of foreign
powers. This ceremony took place on
saturday the Sth instant. In Mulnuu
at the Malae a platform was erected
on which Governor with his staff and
the ABOVE mentioned gentlemen assem-
bled Mataafa also was on the plat
form.
The proceedings began with the pre-
10 fisNNN Of
RED by SamOans in a formal manner
before the Governor: after this was
ended the Governor delivered the fol-
lowing address of which we give an
English translation:
long live Mataafa and the Malo
and all the chiefs of cur islands as
yourselves the 'aigas.'
In order that you should fully realize
the meaning of this day. | will read
out TO you the Talaiga issued by the
Sul-kovana and the Ali Sill on the 29th
March 1901
BY this you will readily understand
mat the method of the distribution of
these mats is entirely different from
previous distributions, and there is
nothing in it which has a tendency to
cause any displeasure 'faa Samoa in
diVidually, which might arise through
the lealousies of the great historical
families of our islands All such lea
son of the fact that the honorable chief
VINO is mostly interested in it, has been
installed Ali Sill by His Majesty the
Kaiser. In witness whereof Mataafa
carries this day his precious 'fue'
which is a 'fue' Kaisalika. signifying
that Mataafa is the channel through
which the fine mats go to and come
from the Kaiser.
And to further show that the I'M
peflal Government has agreed to this
mat-distribution, / myself, the Kovana.
personally appear before you accom-
panied by the officers of the ImDerial
members of my council.
i now again draw your attention to
the latest Talaiga re the distribution OF
these mats
And now I open the proceedings OF
this festival day and order the said dis
trlbution of these mats to be com
menced on Monday the 10th quietly and
peacably.
| do not wish to hear any com-
plants concerning petty difficulties
arising out of the said distribution. But
snail forcibly interfere should tran
guilty and peace be disturbed.
Il now ask my friend the Ali Sill
TO address you. May ALI this assem-
blage be happy"
"Mataafa in short address directed
the people to be obedient and carry out
the Governors" wishes and show by so
doing that Samoa is worthy of the pro
lection of the Kaiser.
THE distribution of mats, which be-
gan on Monday last, is closely watch
ed by the authorities and we feel con-
hdent that nothing will happen Gas was
the case in former times) TO make the
distribution a danger to the COM
munity."