The National tribune., 1908-04-02

hot-headed Consul, who brought mat
ters to such a condition that war be-
came possible between the Germans OF
one side and the Americans and British
on the other. A conference was called
to avert this, and an agreement entered.
into at Berlin, June IA, 1889, proclaim
ing the independence and neutrality of
the islands, and guaranteed to the ma
tives full liberty in the election of their
King. A Supreme Court was created
to take care of the interests of foreign
ers, with the Chief Justice nominated
and appointed by the three poWers.---
King Matnafa.
In 1898 King Malietoa Laupepa died,
and Mataafa, who had been deposed by
the agreement, was elected his success
sor. He now had the support of Ger
many, and again a crisis was brought
about by the turbulence and aggressive
ness of the German Consul.
Chief Justice Chambers, an American,
declared in favor of Malietoa Tanu, a
nephew of the former King. civil
war ensued, in which Mataafa was VIC
torious and was recognized as Provi-
sional King of the islands, but this gave
the Germans a preponderance which
would not be endured, and the United
States and Great Britain began sending
warships thither.
our ueel was Iflt COIIlIf1dHu oI
Rear-Admiral KautZ, who arrived at
Apia in March, 1899, and took an atti-
tude of hostility to Mataafa. The Brit
ish Admiral also did the same, but the
German Consul issued a proclamation
in favor of Mataafa, who was encour-
aged to resist.
The British and Americans actively
supported Tanu, and sent landing par
ties from their ships to his assistance
mo w. thA f,i1 Il lnT, st,;o
ambushed, and eight or 10 Killed, the
rest only escaping massacre by a gre
treat to the cover of the guns. of the
fleet, which then bombarded the vii
lagos around Apia. Again the @three
Nations seemed on the point of war
but High Commission was appointed
to proceed to Samoa and adjust the
difficulty there.
The Commission consisted of a mem
Der from each Nation, who met at Apia
July 25, 1899, and agreed upon treaty
which abolished the Kingship, and es-
tablished a Government composed of
an Administrator. to be chosen by
disinterested power, who would be as
sisted by Council of Delegates, to be
chosen by the three signatory.
The Group Divided.
While this agreement was under con-
sideration by the different Governments
they arrived at another agreement to
partition the territory. The islands of
Upolu, Savaii and the small adjacent
islands went to Germany absolutely and
the United States received the island of
Tutuila and it's subsidiary islands in
the same absolute way. Great Britain
gave up all claims, in consideration for
which Germany resigned her claims to
the Tonga Islands, Savage Island and to
Choiseul and San Isabel. the two east
erly islands of the Solomon group.
which were conceded to Great Britain
The question of damages on account of
the troubles was submitted to a Court
of Arbitration, with King Oscar, of
Sweden and Norway, as the arbitrator.
In this settlement the United States
Government received the harbor of
Pago-Pago, far the largest and best in
the southern hemisphere. Mr. Coward.
the agent of the United States, in maxi
Ing the treaty, said of this harbor:
The capacity of this harbor is suffi-
cient for the accommodation of large
fleets. Landlocked, it is safe from hur-
rlcanes and storms. and could easily be
defended from land or sea attack at a
small expense. In a naval point of view
1T is the key position to the Samoan
group, and likewise to central POLYNESIA
and Is especially located for protection
or American commerce. The Samoan
archipelago Is, by reason of its geo.
graphical position in central Polynesia.
lying In the course of vessels from San
francisco to Auckland, from Panama
to Sydney, and from Valparaiso to
China and Japan, and from being out
side the hurricane track, the most val
liable group in the South Pacific. Sit
uated half way between Honolulu and
Auckland, Pago-Pago would be a most
convenient stopping place or coaling