SEMI-OFFICIAL ADVICES FROM WASHINGTON.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 24, 16 March 1878, Page 2

SEMI-OFFICIAL ADVICES FROM WASHINGTON.

(From the " San Francisco Chronicle") SfiMl-OFFIOIAL ailviccs from Washington have reached this city, announcing the intelligence that United States ViceConsul Coluiesnil, now in that city, accompanied by the high chief Mamea, will not be able to reach hear in time to take passage for Samoa by the schooner Ada May, Captain Petersen, now ready to sail for Apia. Both of the gentlemen mentioned will arrive in San Francisco some time next month, and a United States man-of-war will be placed at their disposal to convey them to Apia, capital of Samoa. The Ada May, however, carries official dispatches from the authorities at Washington to the Samoan Government in regard to the treaty of commerce and friendship lately entered into between both parties, and form what has leaked out it is believed that the ti-eaty is in substance a protectorate, and that the document was so worded as to be thus construed, at the repeated requests of the Samoan Chief, now in Washington and who Ls the legitimate Secretary of State of the native Government. Colmesnil and Mamea have been treated with distinguished courtesy by our national authorities and the planing of a man-of-war at their disposal when ready to return to their island homes is strong evidence of the high estimation in which they ore held. Without doubt, when the news of the treaty reaches Samoa, there will be great rejoicing among the American party there, composed of natives and Americans and there sympathizers. The somewhat notorious ox-Preminr of Samoa is in Washington, and if private advices arc correct, ho is living there like a " big chief." It is stated upon good authority that ho has succeeded in obtaining payment of his claims against Groat Britain. The public will remember that while Mr. Stetnborgcr was playing the part at Premier at Samoa, the British man-of-war Barracouta entered the pott of Apia. Captain Slovens, her 1 commander, was informed of the alleged high-handed proceedings of Stoinbcrgcr, and by request of the various Or/moll representing foreign nations at Apia, the ox-Premier was summarily arretted and imprisoned on board tfio Biirracouta. II" was afterward conveyed to Fiji and Australia as a primmer. The gentleman

tinallV succeeded in rWeaiing him-elf, an.l made his Tvay to Londou, where ho in tit atc-vl proceeding! agaiustthe British iljvernuient for false imprisonment. The facts in the ease were investigoted, and the tirst result was the dismissal of Captain Steveus for his action as i commander uf the Barrcouta. The iallen : ex-Premier followed up his demands with pertinacity, securing a verdict of SI 1.">,000 against the English GoVeruinent. A current report in posted circles savs that the damages were only 8100,000" hut the fact that Mr. Steinhorger is living like a lord at Washinton is sufficient proof that ho has made his pile out of bja prosecution','as he calls it. It is also asserted that ho will again attempt to gain the reins of government at Samoa, hut it is not at all likely that he will succeed should lie make thu attempt. The American clement there is strongly opposed to him, from the fact that when he was Premier he entered into a contract with the German house of (lodefl'roy, and Co., wlueh gavo that firm a complete monopoly of the trade of Samoa, and consequently of all the adjacent groups, extending north and south of the equator. The particulars of this contract have already heen published in the "Chronicle." In every particular it was unfair and unjust. There is no malice between the German and the American colony of Apia. In fact both the Americans and Germans are friends, but Steinberger, in his mercenary and foolish ambition, for the moment estranged them. If the ex-Premier had acted sensibly, like a man, he might have been at Apia to-day, enacting in reality the role of a great chief. He first went to Samoa through American influence ; he went there finally in high-toned style on board of an American man-of-war, with a yacht and presents, but as soon as he thought himself secure ho played the "autocrat" aud insulted the American uame and character. He met his just reward. The damages which he is reported to havo procured against the English Government havo nothing to do with his unwise policy in regard to American interests at Samoa. Had he allowed the legitimate laws of trade and commerce to work out their own destiny, all would have been well. The English, Americans and Germans would not have complained, and the merehauts of the nationalities named would have simply conducted their business as rival merchants usually do. But the contract of the ex-Premier with the German element to the disadvantage of all other foreigners scaled his doom. Now as a figure-head, he is only interesting because of the international complications which have followed the course of the Sumoan imbroglio. His return to the islands would, without a shadow o!' doubt, result in a civil war. He has followers there who, for their own selfish ends, would not hesitate for a moment to engage in a frut rieidal conflict. Such adventurers have everything to gain and nothing to lose by such an outbreak. The natives at latest accounts were butchering each other, and surely Americans have no desire to see the bloody work continued by the advent of any adventurer or adventurers.