ON BOARD H.M.S. PORPOISE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8423, 23 January 1899, Page 4

ON BOARD H.M.S. PORPOISE.

Apia, Jan. 7th, 1599. The Supreme Court now under protection of the United States and Great Britain, vide proclamation December 22nd. having been illegally closed by the Provisional Government, and the orders of the Chief Justice posted at the Court. House torn down by armed troops of that Government. The Chief Justice supported by the U.S. Consul General and H.B.M. Consul under the protection of the armed forces of H.M.S. Porpoise will hold a court to-dny at noon. If resistance i* met, which is hoped will not be, fire will be opened Id support the rights of these two great Powers. In view of the possibilities British and American subjects are therefore requested to take shelter on board Porpoise if they so desire. P. 0. D. Sturdek, Commander. Senior Officer N.E. Division. The following notice was issued by the German authorities on shore : — According to official notice received from H.B.M. Consul Mnxse, it may he expected that Apia will be shelled by H.8.M.8. Porpoise at 11.30 to-day. Rosk, Imperial German Consul (!-iicral. Early on Saturday morning the street 1 ; were almost deserted by S.unoans, ami at about 9 o'clock the Sanioan warriors, who had been stationed in ponions of the town to prevent looting, received from chiefs of the government- strict orders to withdraw to Mulinuu, and on no account to interfoie with the action about to be t ikon by i lieBritish man-of-war. Mataaf.i, it appears, refused to mix himself up with the i|iiarrcl over the Supreme Court. Mr Miiniuaidt, under instructions from ])r Kallol, had new locks placed onthedoois of the .jointhouse, and he and the Marshal, Mr Denvers, each claiming possession, iemaincri about, the building awaiting events. Short ly befnie tlio tini 1 : iiulir.u.'c! in tliv police issued by CijiUuu .Sturckc, liw. 1.-

--were seen to leave the British man-o'-war. The United States Consul's bout, manned by British bluejackets, led the way, followed by Her Britannic Majesty's Consul's boat and a nutter c.irryine; an armed party from H.M.S. Porpoise, under the command of Lieutenant Parker, escorting Chief Justice Chambers to the shore. The British and American Consuls accompanied the Chief Justice to the Supremo Court door, where they were met by the German Consul-General and l)r Ranel. Uis Honor Ihe Chief Justice stated that he had come to hold a court, and directed the Marshall to open the doors. Dr Mallei stated that he held the keys, but that the matter could be settled in a few minutes. The Chief Justice stated that lie desired that l>r Uaffel should speak to him as Chief Justice or not all. Dr Rafl'cl then stated that Mr Chambers (sic) was no longer Chief Justice ; that he had accepted odicc from a Samoan Government which no longer existed, and the Provisional Government bad closed the Court. MrMaxse, H.B.M. Consul, then slated officially that proclamations had been issued on the 22nd December declaring that the Supreme Court and the person of the Chief Justice were under the protection of the British and American Consuls, and that any interference with the Supreme Court would be taken as an insult to the British ilag. The German officials persisted in arguing the matter, and did so somewhat insolently. Dr Raffel contended that he had succeeded to the ollice of the Chief Justice, and behaved in a very theatrical manner, when without further ado a detachment of bluejackets was marched up to the building, and stood with fixed bayonets whilst the door was burst open with a sledge hammer. H.I.G. Consul -General Rose stated that on behalf of his sovereign he protested also against the opening of the Supreme Court. Consul Maxse : "I receive your protest with respect, and will transmit it to Her Majesty's Government." A door having been broken open by the Marshal (Mr Denvers), the Chief Justice entered the Court. Consul-General Osborn then said : "I have this to say, that I — " H.I.G.M. Consul-General Ro3e and Dr RafJel addressed Consul-General Osborn, both speaking loudly. Consul-General Osborn : " Excuse me. In my countly one gentleman speaks at a time." Three resounding cheers were given by the Britishers, Americans, and persons of other nationalities from the Supreme Court for Chief Justice Chambers, and counter cheers were given from the road by the German subjects present for Dr Raffel, as Acting-Chief Justice. H.I.G.M. ConsulGeneral Rose: "Hero is the Supreme Court." President Raffel (beating his breast and raising his arm) : "I am the Supreme Court." Chief Jnstice Chambers having taken his seat issued a proclamation declaring the authority of his Court. THE AMERICAN CONSUL'S ADDRESS. The following address was issued by the American Consul (Mr L. W. Osborne) :— "To American citizens in Samo,— Living so many thousand miles away from our native land, the opportunity rarely comes when we can serve our country and preserve its honor. The Berlin Treaty is just as much a law of the United States as if it had been passed by Congress. We helped to make it. Our President signed it ; our Senate ratified it. One of the most important features of that treaty is the Supreme Court of Samoa, established by our Government, together with the other treaty Powers, for your protection. Every piece of property you own and every right you enjoy in Samoa is protected by that Court. The title of the home in which you live is Bigned by the Chief Justice of 1 that Court, Except for his signature to your deed, and the seal of that Court ■ stamped upon it, you would have no more i right, to your land than a stranger. Look ■ at your deed, and you will see that it is ' not only signed by the Chief Justice, but ' by one of your own countrymen. An insult 1 to that. Court and to the Chief Justice ' should be the same to every American as 1 if the insult was given to our Supreme 1 Court at Washington and to the Chief 1 Justice of the United States. There is not 1 a nation on earth who would dare to insult ! the Supreme Court of the United States. ' Every man in America, from the Atlantic [ to the Pacific, from the gulf to the lakes, ' would fly to arms if such a thing was done. Think calmly and act like patriots. Stand ; by Hie flag !" i