THE KINGSHiP OF SAMOA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2233, 23 September 1889, Page 2

THE KINGSHiP OF SAMOA

The "Auckland Herald's" correspondent, dating from Apl«, September 9, writeg : — There id a considerable amount of Barmiee ana speculation as to who will be the chosen of tho people for the position of King, After Malietoa-Laapepa'o return it wai rumored that he had decided to ratlre In favor of Mataafa, bat ibis I believe to bu entirely withott foundation Mallotoa represents the greatest n»me and family that his ever been In Samoj, aod whatever his private freWngs may be, he will no doubt subordinate them to the ex pressed wish of the majority of the chiefs. The ohiefa themselves ate very reticent about giving any opinion In tbe matter A Ur^e "tcno" or meeting of the chiefs and rulera wl 1 ba held sometime thl& month, ftt which the question of the kingship will be dlscuseed, and most likely deolded, From what I can learn, 1 am jmoiined to believe that » considerable majority eve ia f*vor of old Malleton. He has certainly the largest personal following of any of tho throo aspirants to the throne. It Is said that tho Germane are m favor of him, and strongly opposed to M&t&nfA, Now, although they have nothing like the power and influence In Hamoa that they had, they are atlil » force that has to be taken into consideration. If reports speaks troth Tamaaese'g party would also be prepared to ttoknowbdgo Malletos, but tl^y wlllh»ve nothing to do with M*Uafa Aa this party Inoludei newly oue-thlrd of the whole of Samoa they are also * power to be considered. Uuder these olroutmtanoes I think ji would be wlaa polloy to make Malietoa king for life, and also seoure it m his family. His pla'ms to the position are undoubtedly superior to the other two. t tbink it is a great pity that the three Powers did not at tho Berlin Conference decide tbe question by stating whom they would support. Had this been done the Samoans would have acquiesced without a murmur, whereas tbe election of king may cansd a great deal of trouble, and engender feelngs that may not bo forgotten for years. It is also a great pity that the eleotion oannot be gone on with at onoa ; the long uncertainty is dangerous, as it gives time for all sorts of petty intrigues to be carried on m the interval.