NEWS FROM SAMOA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 242, 12 October 1893, Page 5

NEWS FROM SAMOA.

THE TUTUILA TROUBLE,

News from Samoa up to dato of tho 6th inst. camo to hand today by tho mailsteamer Alameda from San Francisco, via Apia.

The Samoa " Herald " of the 30bh ultimo aays:—"lt may he remembered that the threo men-of-war, Katoomba, Buasard and Sperber.left harbour on Friday lastostonsibly for a Bhort cruise, the iormer to visit Pagopago (Tutufia, and the two latter to try crseir engines and manceuvro the vessels for the instruction of tho new crews and for gun practice. The Katoomba and Bussard went to Tutuila togother, with the ulterior object of compelling tho belligerents thero to appear beforo the Malo at Mulinuu, tc ansvvor for the deaths that had been occasioned by their coming to blows of lato, ana for the purpose of inveatigatiug tho question of tho right to tho name of Mauga which has been in dispute between them, being as suggested tho cause of the disturbance. The Bussard (German warship) wenb to the island of Aunuu. At the island of Tutuila, the captain of the Katoomba road the King's authority to the Governmunb representatives notifying them that in ordor to hav6 tho matters in dispute thoroughly investigated it was necessary to have the chiefs ef both parties prosent in Mulinuu, also tho order of the King to the chiefs of Fago Pago to immediately proceed to Apia by the men-of-war, so that the investigation might bi proceeded with. Thoy were informed thab the Aunuu chiefs had already goue to Apia in tho Bussard, and that it they refused to go peaceably suffici-nt force would be sent to compel them to obey tho commands of tho King, Leiato then replied on behalf of tho Pago Pago chiefs, stating thab bhere was no intenbion on thoir parb of violating the promise made to Captain Bickford on his previous visit, and that bhey were ready to go on board the man-of-war when required. The captain then informod them thab bhey were to come on board before sundown on that day. Thoy requested permission to bo allowed to bring a servant each with them to attend to their food and perform other necessary services during their stay at Mulinuu, which permission was granted. They were then cautioned to inform their people that they must be careful nob to provoke quarrels nor commit depredations, otherwise stops would be taken to punish the offenders. The chiefs then in presence of Captain Bickford and

Mr Maben ndmonishod bheir followers to keep quieb and be on their best behaviour. The chiefs came on board and remained all night. On tho following morning they wore transferred tothe Sporber, which with them and tbo Governmenb representatives on board left for Leone. In the mean bime a policeman had beed senb to the chiofa at Loone with the King's order thab they were to go on board the war-ship on arrival thore. Two came on board, and it was ascertained thab the third had gone to Upolu. The Sperber then left tor Apia, and tho prisoners wero landed on Wednesday and taken to Mulinuu whore they now await the investigation."

In this connection, one of the Samoan papers says : —" We are glad to hear that the Tutuila natives who have been brought up to the scab of Governmenb as prisoners, are to bo tried (in relation to tho trouble existing for some time paat in thab Island) us disturbers of the peace of the realm Tho righb, which they may claim, to fight out their own private, or oven political, quarrels will not be in any way recognised, and they will be taught that the Govornmenb of Samoa is the legitimate and only tribunal before which grievances can bo determined. Ib will not be permitted to any native to tako the law into his own band for the future, nor can tribal factions be fonghb oub in the old faa Samoa stylo. This, we say most emphatically, is as it should be, and a step that no matter how it may create astonishment and perplexity, musb be taken somewhere if tho country is to boast of a civilised Government. It is a bold move on the part of bho King's advisers to recommend, and one that will be a severe blow to nativo customs and habits."

A rosidenb of Pago Psgo (Tutuila) recently stated at Apia that tho Leiato party (who wero taken to Apia by the man-of-war) where undoubtedly to blnmo for all that had occurred. Thoy once drove the Aunuu women, who were fishing, ashore and, aftw. stripping them naked, marched uiom for aboub tbr«o miles along the beach, after which thoy gave them two cocoanuts each and drove them into the sea, compelling them to swim to Aunuu— a distance of about a milo. Had a trader there nob put off wibh his boab somo of them would euvely have boen drowned,