RECENT EVENTS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8420, 20 January 1899, Page 4

RECENT EVENTS.

THE BEGINNING OF THE TROUBLE.

AN ALARMING MANIFESTO,

King Malictoa died in April of last year and in Octoher Mal:utfa was brought back fiom exile. .Mataafa was b\ a piece of bundling placed on ijnlinui jimonsst the Government people, whom the Consuls exhorlel to treat the pri'uucr kindly and also hi- family and friend-, who would be allowed t'i viMt him Alw.ns ready to iMiry out the wishes i.f the representatives of the fcreal. power.-, the Government people did all they could in entertain the visitors and piisonei-, who cum; in such numbers that the "idinary tenants of the hoii-e«. in delcienci 1 lo i lie \l-Itois, sbiheil lo the smaller houses connected with the ],u;;erones. But more r.uiii 1 , and at last the Government people, finding that there was no way of stopping the invasion except by main force, and after repeated appeals to the consuls, who had uncoiiscloi^lv I encouraged tins rush by the position they' had put Mataafa in. lesolveil, rathci than ] run the risk of olleniling the Croat Powci.s by being the first to commence hostilities, to lemove fmther into t]ie town, leaving] Muliui'iii, wheie .M.il.mf.i and the otliei ; l-M-unui were bound tv remain, to them.

These visitors shortly proclaimed Malaaf.t as King of Kunna, and assumed Government control. The old Government party continued to curry out their duties, but were interfered with by the Mataafa people who opposed them. At that time it was thought that Tamasesc would be ; he only opponent against. Mataafa. But Tanw'-ese, who was made a king by Germany, ha Q now throw n in bW lot with Malietoa T.uiii. AVlicn by prorlamatinn it was announced that Malietoa Taiui would be the only one to oppose Mataafa, the followers of Mataafa considered their position shaken. Piior to this they " rode high,'' and felt certain of having their own way. They alwaj s expressed a w illingnes.s to carry out all the desires of the Great Powers', listen to advice of Consuls, and to rely entirely upon tho Chief Justice of Samoa for his decision. The morning after the proclamation was issued they changed front, began to intimidate those who were desirous of joining the ranks of Malietoa, and they now defy the Supreme Court of Samoa, and they show great disrespect to the .Judge : they threaten lo break up the Berlin Treaty, and to slaughter all who oppose them in their endeavors to make Mataafa king. Violent and fiery speeches have been made by his people, urging the Samoans to rise up aud mas- 1 xicre all the whites, including the English missionaries and all Samoans who are members of the English Church. They are to spare no one. The French priests alone are supposed to be exempt from this all-round fate. Mataafa himself, still a prisoner, has deliberately violated the agreement lie made with the Consuls upon his return from Jaluit. He was not to take part in politics. He now in correspondence styles himself " King of Samoa." The Chief Justice warned him not to sign letters in tli.it way, and also warned him and his people from taking part in any of the functions of the Government. They defy tho Court, and have already made Government appointments, and dismissed other oHiccrs. Amongst those who are to be dismissed is the Chief Justice of Samoa, appointed liy the three Powers under Die treaty, and the judge who is to settle this question of kingship. The Samoan officials declined to accept their dismissal. Then the supporters of Mataafa requested the President and Treasurer not to pay them their regular salary.

Not content with compelling the Government people, owing to the proclamation of the Consuls and Samoan custom and hospitality, to keep them, the Mataafa people tried' to billet squads of fighting men in the towns commanding the highways leading intothe municipality; hut were successfully resisted by the inhabitants, who are Malietoa people, fortunately without force of arms.

The most serious element in the whole affair is a disagreement amongst the Consuls. Throughout there has been an undermining current of foreign influence with the Mataafa people, who have lately threatened to upset all treaty arrangements and to clear Samoa of white population and foreigners generally. The German Consul compiled a communication to his colleagues, informing them that if bloodshed should ensue owing to this election, he desired to detach himself from any blame, and, in defence of himself, he cast all blame upon, in his opinion, the unnecessary delay of the Chief Justice in bringing the matter to an end. The Chief Justice, upon being informed, wrote a dignified letter in reply, in which he showed clearly that the delay, if any, was caused to a large extent by the German Consul himself and the adherents of Mataafa. The English and United States Consuls strongly supported the Chief Justice ; so there had been no delay. Tamasese has been cast aside by his supposed friends, the Germans, who favor one, a prisoner of the German Government as well as of the other Powers, and who up till lately was denounced by all Germans as only worthy of hanging. The British Consul sent notices to Savaii thai. Great Britain would support the Chief Justice, and that Samoans must not believe statements that he had approved of the election of Mataafa. These are now being distributed around the country. Several hundreds were sent specially to Mataafa and his supporters, who were disturbed and annoyed at receiving this repulse to their false schemes. They then resorted to intimidation again, sayins that if the Chief Justice gave an adverse decision to them they would immediately descend upon the municipality and attack both whites and natives. All natives who do not support Mataafa's candidature were threatened with deportation if he should be successful in the election.

The Malietoa side have issued a proclamation, exhorting their people to use only peaceful measures in the election, aud informing them that they are free to cast their votes as they like. They must on no account resort to threats or intimidation. Since this proclamation many signified their intention of joining the ranks of Malietoa Tanu. But even yet the country was not out of tho fire. This is a translation of a speech made by one of Mataafa's prominent chiefs, Suatele, who is a religious fanatic: — "Samoans! You must fight strong ; when you fight, kill. When you meet a white man, cut him up ; when you meet a missionary (London), cut him up ; when you meet a deacon, cut him up ; when you meet a Samoan, cut him up ; we will break through the bonds of the treaty ; we will have no municipality." This chief, like his high chief, is a staunch Roman Catholic, and tho war, if it takes place, will assume to a large extent that religious phase long feared. A little more of such speeches will incite the people to arms, in which case the municipality and the foreign quarter will be the centre of attack.

Mataafa was one who approved of the Treaty of Berlin and a few months after broke out in rebellion. The question now 13 whether he, who is still a prisoner on parole, bound by an agreement to deliver himself up to the three Powers in case any trouble should be caused in Samoa on account of him, is eligiMe for election as king. If he is, Samoans in future will not look upon foreign punishment with any degree of fear, and will not respect foreign judgment in the future.

Mataafa has nearly always been in rebellion against authority, and even now shows a disposition to despise authority. In the opinion of some, Germany intends to repeat the history of ten years ago, when they were supporting Tamasese. Mataafa has received from the French mission several old cannon, which it is said are to be used for saluting purposes. It will be necessary to call in the prompt aid of the three Powers, and if Germany obstructs a settlement as against the provisions of the Treaty, there is a serious time coming for Samoa, the property of foreigners will be in extreme danger, and the stability of foreign agreements with Samoans will be shaken entirely.