THE SAMOAN TROUBLE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 5, 2 February 1899, Page 24

THE SAMOAN TROUBLE.

THE OTHER SIDE OV THE STORY. A SPECIAL ACCOUNT. A big slice of the New Zealand daily and weekly Pres9 has for some time pant been taken up with details of the kingship dispute in Samoa. Those who were acquainted with the past history of the struggle naturally felt that the accounts which nave recently come over the wires originated in sources which were tinted with racial or religious or political We have to thank his Grace the Archbi-h'vp of Wellington for the following special account of the affair, which comes from one on whose veracity and impartiality our readers can rely. Unfortunately, there is only one journal at Apia, which has given a woful travesty of the real facts of the case. For reasons which our readers m-y easily divine, the religious motive has been dragged into the present struggle, whereas the question is purely and simply national and political. The special account furnished us by his Grace runs as follows : MATAAFA. Shortly after the return of the great chief Mataafa, the struggle for the vacant kingship began, quite a number of candidates being in the field. But it was soon very apparent that Mataafa was far in the lead, he having the support of all the principal high chiefs and of the better part of the white population. Upon his return from Jaluit to Samoa it had been deemed necessary to somewhat restrict his movements, and for this reason he was made to give his word of honour that he would not remove from Mulinuu (a suburb of Apia) until such time as the Consuls were willing to cancel his parole. About the beginning of October one of this chief's friends, who was duly authorised, applied to the different authorities here that Mataafa be granted still more liberty, and in replying the Chief Justice closed his letter wnh the following remarks : ' In fact I am much occupied in telling people that I have nothing to do with the Chief Mataafa, he having the same right to aspire to the kingship as any other Bomoan, and if the people elect him as Malietoa's successor in a rightful manner and according to the laws and customs of Samoa, why shouldn't he have the office ? As to his movements I can say nothing, that is a matter absolutely with the Consuls.' Young Tamasese came up to Apia and engaged a prominent lawyer here to support his pretentions, and as the gentleman he had engaged controlled temporarily the only newspaper published, this meant more than it would seem to a casual observer. The ifamily of the late Malietoa finally brought forward the former king's young son, Tanu, who is only some 18 years of age, and who, according to Samoan custom, could not aspire even to his father's titles until he was a grown man. Tamasese and Tanu (who had also a sort of a lawyer named Gurr) finally concluded to join forces, so that they might make a better show against the ever growing strength of Mataafa. The scheme was to proclaim Tanu king and Tamasese regent.

Finding' themselves far away in the minority, the TamaaeseTanu party withdrew from Mulinuu, and on the 14th of November Mataafa was duly and properly chosen according to Samoan custom. A NEW TBOUBLK. 'ew days later the Tanu-ramasese party filed an objeotion at the Supreme Court contesting this election on several grounds. A. number of persons who were well posted in Samoan affairs, and whose characters for truth and honesty ought to have had weight, endeavoured to point out to the Chief Justice the folly of listening to such puerile complaints. On the other hand, other persons, bent on deceiving him, and among those some of the members of the London Missiou Sooiety, worked with might and main to complicate matters. Ac one time the Chief Justice suggested that both parties count their forces under supervision of his Court, the Consuls and captains of warships present. To this proposition the Mataafa party gave their ready assent, but the lawyers for the Tanuramasese section offered so many objections that no agreement was arrived at. At this stage in the proceedings the Chief Justice declared that both sides must sign a formal agreement to recognise his decision before he would undertake to try the case. Believing that this gentleman was thoroughly under missionary influence, and that the lawyers would trick them, the Mataafa side declined to sign the agreement, and asked the Chief Justice what warrant he had for demanding it. They further deolined to appear if lawyers were to be introduced. Still the Chief Justice kept demanding this agreement and insisting on the introduction of the lawyers. The trial was eet for the 19 ,h of December and was to close and a judgment be rendered on the 29th. On opening the Court the Judge still, without success, insisted upon the agreement so often refused, and when again unable to work his purpose he became very angry. Notwithstanding the continued objections of the natives, lawyers were introduced, and they were compelled to accept the services of Mr. Von Bulow, who knew very little law, but a great deal about native customs. On the one side stood all the high chiefs of Samoa, on the other a few chiefs of lesser note, mostly from the vicinity of Apia. Both sides examined an equal number of witnesses, but those on the one side were men of importance, while those on the other side had no standing at all in the native community and no following to speak of. Having no confidence in all the Court, the Mataafa party mustered near Apia about 6000 troops and the Tanu-Tamasese party assiduously got together every follower of theirs that could be discovered, both parties anxiously awaiting the result of the trial. Two days before the expected decision was rendered, some people under Asi (an unimportant chief who had hitherto been known as a disturber) commenced to abandon their village and erect earthworks closer up to Apia. To counter-balance this a number of Mataafa people were sent the following day to occupy a strong position in the rear of Apia. Owing to several delays the decision was not rendered until the morning of the 31st when, as expected, Tanu was declared king, and all good Samoans ordered to obey him. In rendering the decision, the Chief Justice declared that he had no doubt, but that Mataafa waB the choice of the people, but that he was ineligible because in 1881) he had defeated the Germans at Vailele, and in framing the Berlin General Act, they wished him for ever barred, i hough this wish of theirs was not embodied in ihe treaty that was ultimately made, the Chief Justice considered that his election would gravely complicate matters with Germany, though the German representative here declared such would not be the case, and that he certainly preferred Mataafa to any other candidate in the field. Very few of the Mataafa chiefs were present when the decision was rendered, as they were making ready to overthrow it and the Court which could proclaim it. On the Ist of January, before daylight, THE TANU-TAMASESE PARTY retreated and abandoned their works in Matafele (one of the suburbs), takiny up a new line at the Mulivai river close to the Catholic Cathedral, the Mataafa, party following them closely. At 2 p.m. the advanced guard from the west had approached the TanuTamasese works within 120 yards, and they were allowid to build there a work of even superior strength. At 3 p.m. news was received at this point that all the Mataata forces were in position, and that a forward movement was in order. From the towers of the Tivoli Hotel the position of tha advancing Mataafaites could readily be determined by the columns of smoke ascending from the houses they burnt as they came on. Near the Catholic Cathedral both parties were within hail, and each side appeared to desire the other to begin firing first. Now a stalwart Mataafaite would waltz out from behind hia fort, cut seine capers with his long two- hand knife and challenge the Tanu men to meet him in single cam bat. Then a Tanu man arrayed in all his savage finery, with an immense red turban, would caper in front of his fort and demand that the other side charge to their death. In the meantime the few whites in the neighbourhood who generally had their families in the cellars were cautiously and curiously watching the whole proceedings from their verandahs, ready to get back into a safe place as Boon as a shot was fired. The excitement grew in intensity, when out from the Mataafa side stepped four or five old men in flowing white garments, each carrying a stick abont 6 feet long of the thickness of an ordinary cane. When a talk is desired an orator advances, leans on his stick and commands attention. These old fellows boldly advanced to the bridge over the little brook which separated the combatants, and then declared that ttose who wished to live should come over to their side and surrender their arms, or they would all soon be headless men. While their talk continued the Mataafaites oime out from their fort and commenced a slow advance against the thin line of Tanuites who proposed to defend their entrenchments. Finally one red turbaned man, then another, was seen to run across the bridge and surrender himself and gun to his white tur-

baned foe, who kept advancing while the old men kept declaring that life was safe only for those who now surrendered to their rightful king, the great Chief M t aif a, the pride of their race, who would forgive their crookedness and receive them again as erring children. Suddenly with a rush the Tanu works were carried and several hundreds of Mataafaites marched up the main street, not a shot having yet been fired. All the prioo >er» were disarmed and ordered to proceed at once to Mulinuu. Several whose perjuries in the Court had given great offence came very near losing their heads on this eventful journey of theirs. At the Tivoli road the Mataituites turned inland to meet their own friends advancing from tho south and lire they captured Tuisamoa, a chief of some considerable note, who gave up his arms and surrendered. Suddenly A SHOT WAS I'IHKO close at hand and with a rush the main boly of the Tanu party emerged from amon^r the bread-fruit trees ami native houses just at the back of the TivoJi Hotel, and though they were less in numbers than the Mataafa people they boldly commenced their atlack with a rush which sent the Mataafaites back to the first entrenchment they could find. Several persons were killed and wounded in this encounter and immediately thp battle become general, volley firing beiDg heard in Matautu and Motootua. A num ber of whites who thought that a general surrender was about to take place were mixed up with the natives before the skirmish began and they were very fortunate in getting behind the Tivoli Hotel without injury. By this time it was nearly dark, and the line of burning dwellings was getting painfully close to the Tanu people, whose wounded were being carried into the London Mission House to be guarded by marines from the Porpoise and attended by the surgeon of that vessel. During the retreat of the Mataafaites two of their number, braver perhaps than the rest, entrenched themselves behind some stones on the beach in front of the hotel and there gave battle to many of the red turbaned men who were better sheltered. Seeing themselves about to be taken both dropped their guns and put for the sea, swimming with all their strength with perhaps 20 men firing at them. Soon one of the poor fellows was hit before he got beyond the shallows of the inshore reefs. The other managed to get out of range and back to his comrades near the Cathedral. Without more ado the wounded or dead man on the reef v^as beheaded and the ghastl}' trophy carried ashore in triumph. At dark, little firing was being done. The Tanuites were withdrawing and concentrating towards their boats and the Mataafaites were following them blowly up. During the night it rained heavily with thunder and lightning. Only a few shots were fired. At 2 a.m. the Tanuites launched most of their boats and fled to the British warship for protection. Some 00 of their principal men slipped into the London Mission House behind the line of British sailors, there to lie concealed during the following day. At daylight a general rush was made by the Mataafa forces and had the Tanuites remained a i;eni:ral massacre would have occurred. As it was, some 20 lar^e boat loads of people were lying alongside the Porpoise begging for protection, for there was no place in all the islands to which they might safely j*o, even if they could avoid the far superior fleets of Mit.mfa to the east and west of them. The people remained in their boats round the English warship till about 2 p.m., when a gale fiom the north aros-e, making the harbour extremely rough, so much so that the boats colliding with one another and with the sides of the ve-sul caused several to swamp and the occupants, some 40 or 50 people, kept swimming about in the water tor a cnsidorjiblu time, the mau-of-war refusing them admittance on boird. In this extremity they swam to the Germaa man-ot- vvar l ( 'alke lying at so^ne distance, and the captain aid oilicei--, more humane tuan those of the English ship, kindly received theai on board. Atter this, they weie divided among the two war vessels on which they remained till next morning, when they surruiuere.l to the M.itaata. party Taim, Tamasese, and a few other*, with Gnrr, their lawyer and adviser. all of whom were afruid of their heads, reiu-ed to leave the English man-of-war.

As soon as it was found that Apia was evacuated, pillaging began. Every native huu^e was entered and its contents ictnoved, after which if it did not adjoin the house of a foreigner it was burned, or otherwise destroyed with axi-s. Every species oi property was carried away by the victors, who spent two whole days pillaging. A great many women and children belonging to the defeated party fled to the grounds of the London Mission House and to the enclosure of Mr. H. J. Moors. At the first point they were protected by British marines, and at the latter by the personal influence of Mr.

Moors, who has always been an outspoken Mataafa supporter. On the sth, when the marines were withdrawn, all of those who sought refuge in the Mission grounds were taken care of by Mr. Moors and no harm came to any of them. On the 3rd inst. A POVISIONAL GOVERNMENT consisting of Mataafa and 13 high chief, with Dr. Raffel as executive, was duly recognised by all the Consuls, and efforts were at once made to bring about good order. The Government found itself with 900 prisoners on its hands, against some of whom the people were so incensed that their lives were in danger. Tamasee e and Taau were <*till on board the Porpoise, and many of the troops refused to leave Apia until they were delivered or taken away. At a great meeting held at Mulinuu it was decided that if Tanu and Tamasese would surrender, after they had made the usual submissions customary to defeated SamoaTJs, Tanu should be allowed to go back to school, and Tamasese would be kept in Mulinuu as a sort of State prisoner. Both refused the offers, and have since remained on the warship. In the meanwhile the chiefs have outlawed them, and now it would be dangerous for them to land at any point! After making their humble submission and signing an agreement never to fight again against their chiefs, four-fifths of the prisoners were dismissed. Of the balance, most of whom are natives who have resided in Apia, some were gent to Manono, others to Tutuila and Manua, there to remain till times are more settled. Some 40 are confined in the gaol at Muliuuu, and will be employed in removing the forts from the streets of Apia. On the 6th inst. the Provisional Government declared the Supreme Court closed, not to be reopened till its consent was given. Early on the next day the British Consul gave notice that at noon he would reopen the Court and fire upon anyone who would resist. By this date nearly the whole of Mataafa's forces had been withdrawn from Apia, and the President had no difficulty in controlling those who remained, but who were ready on a word to defend their rights. At I) a.m . the Porpoise had her battle flag flying and her steam siren warning all Britishers to get on board their warship, as she was likely to attack the town. The German warships, knowing better the temper of the people, -had given liberty to some of her sailors, who were strolling about the place. Of course, a good number of white residents were frightened, and so fled to" the vessel, which had boats at the wharves to receive all refugees. Just before midday Dr. Raffel, the German Consul, and a large number of white people who had not taken fright, assembled in front of the Courthouse, and when Consuls Maxe and Osborn appeared with the Chief Justice and their guards of 25 marines, they received them, and Dr. Raffel announced that he held the keys of the building. These the British Consul demanded, claiming that the Chief Justice was still, under the Treaty, the highest Samoan official, and that at his request and that of the United States Consul he would u:!e force to open the building if the keys were not delivered up. In reply, the President stated that by AN UNFORESEEN REVOLUTION the people of Samoa had deposed the Chief Justice for rendering an illegal decision. That under the Treaty when that place became vacant he was the authorised successor, and as matters stood he was the real acting Chief Justice ; he refused to give up the keys, and said they might use force to open the Court if they chose. The American Consul, who is a very quiet old gentleman, and appeared rather dazed by the whole affair and the strangeness of his surroundings, said nothing ; but the British Consul in very loud tones 'aid his colleague was acting with him, which Mr. Osborn did not deny. A gn-at show was uiude of protecting American interests which never had been endangered, after which the British Consul called for three cheers for the Chiet Justice, which were feebly given by a tew of those present. After tins, the German Consul protested that, in the name of his Governtnem. he refused to accept the decision of the Chief Justice as a legal one : that the Samoan people, unaided, had risen and cicsed his Court : that there was no utility in opeaing it for he should no longer recognise Mr. Chambers us an officer appointed by the Powers and still holding uitice. ; that the position becoming vacant, the Pn sulent had in the ordinary couise assumed temporarily the duties, and might, if he chose, exercise them. He then called tor three cheers for the President, which were given with a will, many of those present cheering both sides. Atter this the Court was entered and formally opened by Mr. Chambers, and then formally adjourned. The day was one of intense excitement all for no purpose : both sides, it appears, striving for the empty honour of closing a Court which could not carry on its busines

until such time as the Powers themselves should settle the matter During the discussion on the verandah of the Courthouse, the British Consul claimed that the Provisional Government had grossly msulted the British flag:, for which it would be held answerable. The President, replying, declared that the British flap had been withdrawn from the Courthouse and from the house of the Chief Justice some days previously, and that when the Provisional Government had taken possession no flag- was flying. Since the Bth inst. a ioint proclamation has been issued by the British and American Consuls, and another by the Chief Justice atnrming their positions. The town has now assumed its usual quiet aspect, and business proceeds as hitherto. It is not thought that any further troubles will arise, as the Provisional Government is striving as hard as possible to satisfy all just demands upon it. THE MATAAFA PARTY have signified their willingness to pay all claims for damages caused to foreigners by either side during the late war, just as soon as they can be filed and proved. During the whole affair, Mataafa and the chiefs lately returned from exile remained quietly on Mulinuu taking no part in the hostilities. In passing the London Mission station at Malua. some miles west of Apia, the returning warriors loudly denounced the missionary there as one of those who caused the war ; besides this, they burned some of the houses belonging to his native friends. Before the war began, and since its conclusion, many of these missionaries declared they had no connection with it, but they were generally not believed, and now a number of letters have been brought to light proving conclusively that several of them at least were taking a very active part. The Wesleyans and Catholics refrained from all interference. No further trouble is expected, and some months must elapse before the Powers can come to a definite decision as to how this affair shall finally be disposed of. Thirty persons in all were killed and about thirty-five wounded. Tanu and Tamasese had in the field about OCX) men, and the Mataafa chiefs 5900. All the Tanu-Tamasese forces were captured. The Mataafa party is about !)3 per cent, of the entire population. The Malietoa party, which has been kept in existence by the Powers for many years past, has had no real influence for a long time back, and most likely its star has now set for ever.