SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11229, 27 September 1898, Page 6

SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

DEATH OF THE KING. AUCKLAND, August 30. Malietoa, King of Samoa, died from typhoid on August 22. Three consuls, with the Chief Justice as president, form a Board of Control pending the election of a successor. Malietoa Laup'epa was between 60 and 70 years of age at the time of his death. He was a quiet, unassuming man, and in his last years avoided publicity. When Malietoa was brought back from his lonely exile he greeted his native country in an affecting manner. As he landed on the beach at Apia from the German man-of-war he prostrated himself on the beach and kissed the •soil and wept in token of his great joy in seeing his land and people again. There are several opposing sections amongst the. Samoan1 natives, one of the largest being headed by Tamasese, and it is said that each party has a nominee for the kingship. In view of these conflicting opinions it will be' seen that the position of affairs in Samoa may again become very serious, and that a civil war may as likely as not result between the rival parties. The deceased Malietoa ler.ves a daughter, an attractive girl, named Famoa, who is 17 or 18 years of age, and who was educated at the London Missionary Society's School. He also leaves. a brother, an elderly chief, who lives at Apia. According to a report current on the R.M.S. Mariposa when she reached here today, it was believed at Samoa that if H.M.S. Ringdove had not been at Apia the Germans would have hoisted the German' flag there on Malietoa's death, and have' proclaimed the annexation of Samoa. Mr Walton, purser of the Mariposa, believes the United States intends sending a warship to Samoa shortly.