STATEMENT BY CHIEF JUSTICE CHAMBERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6457, 11 April 1899, Page 1

STATEMENT BY CHIEF JUSTICE CHAMBERS.

A long letter, published in New York, .from Mr Chambers, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Samoa, givea a full and »clear statement of the recent troubles in the .islands, Mr Chambers/ though .an American^ was the appointee of .the three Powers who have authority in Samoa—^ England;, Germany and the United States.., It became . his duty to determine judicially between the ■ conflicting claims of the rival kings, Mataafa .and Malietoa. After an eleven dajs* hearing he decided that Malietoa was duly elected king. . But the German Consul backed . Mataafa, and refused to abide by the judicinl decision, albeit his Government' stood pledged to accept that decision. He took up arms on behalf of Mataafa. The German President of tho municipality used all his influence for the some object. The German population, -as a whole, and the German warship, took Mataafa's side. By the help of violence, treachery, German .arms, and German leadership, Mataafa won. A British man-of-war rescued 1200 natives. .Pillage followed for three days. No .American Bhip was present. The British captain avoided a conflict with the Germans, except so far as it was necessary to protect British and American lives and property. The victorious rebels closed the- Court, the Germans usurped the power, and President Jtaffel declared himself Chief Justice. Mr Cb ambers protested, and called offtufc Consuls to act. The British captain promised to prevent force by force, meantime! receiving all British and American women and children on board. An armed cutter, landed 28 British bluejackets. They made their way through the German lanes, .expelled the usurping German judge, and seftstated Mr, ■ Chambers. The British and Americans acted 'together throughout. Mr Chambers . «ays : — " Here was a mixture of English and. American feeling •which, though developed in this far-away little island in the Pacific, means more than. a Faneuil Hall or Cooper Union oratorical discussion — an. American citizen occupying an! official position under a treaty between England, Germany and the' United States flagrantly brokeni .by Ger-. roany's representatives and defended by the two Anglo-Saxon peoples ; the British and the United States Consuls acting in perfect iaccord ; American and British, subjects on shore ready to mingle their blood in de- 1 fence of their rights;. a British, -man-o'vvrar • protecting Americans as thoroughly as Britishers, guarding the women and children of both nationalities with its guna, ready .to do service, as well and as sincerely in behalf of the American as the British flag.'" The British ship was the Porpoise, Captain Sturdee. When Mr Chanlbers's 'letter left, the situation was still uncertain, and the Germans were still defying the lawful .authorities. Mr Chambers adds: — "The farce cannot be continued much longer. Either America or England must ■. annex these islands. As an American ex•pansionist, I would naturally Iflie to see the Stars and Stripes run up over these -isfarids, but I am not certain that it would' be best. The English outnumber us here 'by nearly ten to one. Their commerce with these islands is rastly greater than -ourg. "I believe the majority of Americans would 'be just as content with British annexation as American. Oor Pagopago interests should. in any case be insisted upon, and, in any arrangement that America and "England might arrive at, there is no qriesfion •tliat England would fully guarantee nil we -wish."