The San Francisco call., 1901-11-26
CAPTAIN TILLEY
GAINS A POINT
Accused Officer Faces
Court Martial in
Tutuila.
Charges of Mal-Administra-
ton Are Eliminated by
Admiral Casey.

TUTUILA, Nov. 25.-On the morning Of
November 5 the U. s. s. Wisconsin ar
rived in the harbor. It was announced
that Admiral Casey had been ordered to
Pagopago to convene a cOurt-martial to
try Captain B. F. Tilley, the commandant
of the station. The news was received
with great surprise by the Samoan peo-
pie. They had been making extensive
preparations during the past month to
welcome Captain T1ley on his return.
On November the Sonoma arrived with
Captain Tilley and Mrs. T1lley on board.
The Samonans of Pagopago had built a
huge catamaran of native trees, upon
which was bower. decorated with ever
green's and flowers. Flags and streamers
were flying from the masts. They ap-
preached the steamer with this immense
raft and Captain and Mrs. TiIley de-
scended to it and were pulled ashore, while
songs of welcome were sung. Upon land
ing at the Custom house there was a
was loudly cheered by whites and ma
tives
The United States steamer solace ar
rived on November with Admiral Evans
and the other officers of the coUrt-mar-
tial. The Aberanda, which had been dis
patched to Apia to bring witnesses for
the prosecution, returned the same day.
Shortly after the arrival of the SOlace
| 1t was definitely announced that the
charges against Captain Tilley, which had
been prepared in Washington, would be
served on him at once. AT O'Clock Of
the same day Captain Tilley was formal
ly served with copy of the charges and
specifications and was ordered to deliver
up his sword.
Fhe trial of Captain TiIley began on
Saturday, November g. The most i'm
portant witness was DIR. Blackwell. He
testified that about 1880 o'clock one
night, and on toward midnight, he saw
Captain Tilley lying down outside his
sage treatment This treatment is very
common here with whites as well as ma
tive chiefs. The prosecution closed it's
| case on Monday, November II, rather
the defense began, the chief witness being
Lieutenant Richardson of the Abarenda
and Judge Gurr. The trial is expected to
close tomorrow. From late information
it appears that Admiral Casey, after due
investigation dropped the charge Of
mal-administration against Captain Til
ley.
On November 8 representatives from all
Tutuila gathered in PagOpago to well
come Admiral Casey and give him the
highest tribute a Samoan can offer to a
distinguished visitor. 1t was a large
'taalolo," symboHcal of allegiance to
United States Government. The tribes
passed by the admiral, who was accom-
panied by all the leading officers of the
ships, and presented their offerings Of
submission. Native Governor Manga,
made the speech of welcome 1t told Of
the contented condition of the people IN
der the present government and spoke in
the highest terms of Commandant Tilley.
Upon receipt of the official information
of the death of President Mckinley, a
memorial service was held at Pagopago.
Lieutenant Jayne, U. S. N, commanding
the station, sent invitations to all the rep
resentative heads of the missionary So
cieties in Tutuila and most sympathetic
response was made. At the special SER
vice the Rev. Mr.. Hawker of the London
Mission Society preached an impressive
sermon and Judge Gurr read the les
sons. The service was attended by the
officers of the U. s. s. Abarenda in full
dress and by many men from the same
vessel.