THE TUTUILA OUTBREAK.

Samoa Weekly Herald, Volume 1, Issue 2, 3 December 1892, Page 2

THE TUTUILA OUTBREAK.

A CONTRADICTION. TO TnE BDITOK.

In your first issue you say-'that you think you aro sure" of good information, but you are not sure that you can hear more than your contemporary can." Let me say in the mildest possible manner that I fear that in that very issue vou made use of some very bad information, and t,mt J' 0 " dl<l llcar far more than anyone else has heard. Let anv reasonable person (conversant or not with Snnioau affairs) rend the two widelv difforent accounts of tho Tutuila troubles, one of which is published in the Samoa Times, and tho othor in tho H_nAl_, and I think that I am pretty safe in saying that if ho is asked which account ho thinks is the truthful ono and which tho incorrect one, his answer will not bo very flattering to your informant. As I personally know that some of tho statements which you havo published as correct are not so, I shall with your permission proceed to point out some of its mistakes, improbabilities, and impossibilities. Your informant tolls you that tho trouble commenced in October by Leinto, Maiiga, and others. This is not correct, for, this trouble commonced as early as Janunry last, and in March it reached such an acute stage that nearly the whole of Tutuila was assembled in Pago Pago Harbor, and after many days of " fonos," &0., held in the town of Pago Pago the whole party proceeded in a body to Fagatogo where they found a few peoplo drawn up inside the church prepared to resist them. However, the Fagatogo people saw that they were utterly unable to cope with the force that was opposed to them, and they speedily gave in. Tho Pago Pago party was then led by the same cliiefs who are now leading it, and also by Faivai and Riploy, who are Malietoa men (if there is such a thing on Tutuila). No mention was made during this trouble of Mataafa or of Mulinuu ; tho quan*el was a local one about local rnattors only and had no bearing upon the politics of Samoa. TheFagatogopeople were the disturbers of the peace; they were put down, and sat upon, as they deserved to be. Some months passed by and theso people proceeded to strengthen themselves by alliance with others who woro somewhat dissatisfied. Once in Aug. and twico in September they visited Apia in search of ammunition and firearms, to strengthen themselves previous to their announcement, that a new Loiato was to bo created, and that thenceforth Fagatogo was to bo tho ruling town of Pago Pago- Harbor. "When questioned as to the wisdom of such a scheme or its probability of success, they declared themselves strong in heart and steadfast in purpose, that though they were opposed to overwhelming numbers that thoy would win if they had ammunition enough. They made no secret at all of commencing a course that would inevitably lead to war. They had no affection then for tho Government of Lnupopa; they made no application to it for assistance, nor do 1 think that thoy evon wont to Mulinuu at any time during their frequent visits. Mataafa was not spoken of by thom; they woro bont only upon their own affairs and fully determined that their little town of Fagatogo should rule Pago Pago Harbor, in spite of tho rights of Mauga and Leiato.

Your informant procoods to say that " tliore is no doubt whatever from enquiries on tho spot that Mataafa instigated thoso disturbances. For this conclusion ho seems protty woll to rely on tho fact that AIo had some four months previously boon living at Sialic. Why not connect Laupepa in tho snmu way, for it is not long sinco Maunga was living at Mulinuu. Furthor on ho says that but for tho opportune arrival of tho man-of-war at Tutuilla Mataafa would soon bo soon thoro at tho head of a revolt which ho intended to carry into Upolu." This statement is ridiculous upon tho faco of it. I boliovo that Mataafa will deny it in this wook's issue of your paper, and I boliovo that the public will be just as ready to boliovo his statement as they arc to believe the stories of his anonymous detractor. Mataafa has boen declared to be in open revolt against tho Government, and ho is now and has for the past year and a half boon residing within lons than live milos of Mulinuu and in plain sight of it. If ho was bont on war ondfelt strong onough to ongngoiu offonsivo operations why should ho go out of his way to capture an outpost of- little importance when held a position within cany striking distance of tho capltol, which was undofondod. That ho could have taken Mulinuu time and time again all of us will have to admit. That ho has not dono so is very hard indeed to explain, it it is truo that ho la bent upon war. Believo mo, Mataafa Is no such fool, as your correspondent would havo us believe. Willi regard to the statoments concerning the trouble at Ana ond Pago I'agii. wo have quite another account, which has boon published in the Times, and which has been fully corroborated by many native stories. Your correspondent calls the Fagntogo party the King's party. Htl only reason must be to try and gain sympathy for them in some quarters. Assuredly they will call themselves King's men If they can get any help that way. If, as your corresptindent says, they amount to -(DO well-anued

men, with largo supplies of ammunition, how comos it that they are cooped up on Aunuu, short of food, and are effectually blockaded by 100 unarmed and 400 badly-armed men, who are almost without ammunition. From what source your informant got his information I cannot conceive. I havo seen a letter from Mr. Wesley Fostev, who lives in Pago Fago, and who is generally considered as a truthful man, and he says that the forces are as 5 to 1 against Fagatogo and its friends, who wore poorly armed. Numerous letters have been received from that samo gentleman within the past three months, and in nono of thorn that the writer Ims seen has the name of Mataafn been mentioned as having any connection with the trouble at Tutuila. The chances are that neithor party cared a straw as to the opinions of the King regarding thu Tutuiln difficulties, for tho Mulinuu Government has scarcely any perceptible influence in any part of that island, and none at all at Manua.

It is not at all unlikely that Leiato did display some anger or impatience at tho interference of the Bingarooma (if it took place at all) in the affairs of the Tutuila people. Such conduct might havo been expected of any Samoan chief. Has not the Troaty Powers laid down the rule that before any of their ships of war are to interfore in Samoan concerns tho subject itself and tho extent of the interference are to bo fully debated by the three consuls, and their decision practically approved by the naval officer applied to. Such a course had not been followed, and Leiato probably knew this very well. Your iuformant, continuing his story, informs us that Mr. CusackSmith, the Consul, requested tho warring parties to meet on board the man-of-war, and state their general complaints, so that he might report them to the King. Further down the column he implies that they had been ordered aboard tho Bingarooma, and threatened with consequences unless they did as they were told. Let me say that such an utterly improbable story may well bo doubted from top to botttom. Your informant goes on to say that when tho meeting took place ashoro in Pago Pago that the Consul insisted upon a public apology being made for disloyal language being used by tho Samoan chiefs against the King. Since when has the warships and consuls of Her Brittanic Majesty been engaged upon such a business as your informant says they havo—that of forcing the peoplo of another country to publicly apologise for criticisms upon the conduct of their own sovereign 't What threatened interest had Great Britain in Pago Pago to warrant the Consul or the Bingarooma in interfering with tho potty squabbles of the placo. lam sure no sane man will beliove that under such circumstances as your informant recounts that Mr. Cusack-Smith or Captain Bourko would virtually ordor Leiato or any other chief of Tutuila to appear before thom aboard a British warship, or that either would threaten them with consequences in case they disobeyed. Such statements aro simply incredible, for similar conduct has boon severely roprehendod in tho case of one of the formorconsulsto Samoa, andlamprotty buto that Mr. Cusack-Smith would not lay himself open to sovoro censuro in a similar way. Britain had no interest in tho Tutuila troubles, and if sho had no doubt the consul would havo summoned his colleagues, and, after proper Consideration thoy might have asked Captain Bourko to take tho caso up, and after somo official investigation procood with it to somo proscribed point. British captains and consuls aro not at all likoly to waltz around theso islands with chips on thoir shoulders waiting for some ono to knock thorn off. British officers do not usually listen to ouu-sided statements, and thou proceed to take part in troubles that do not at all concern them, in a mannor exactly contrary to the letter and thu spirit of their instructions. It is not nt all likely that thoy over required of tho Pago Pago peoplo an apology for expressions of contempt used towards a sovereign whom fow can look upon with admiration.

No, Mr. Editor, your iuformant cannot succeed in milking any person horo in Samoa boliovo tho astonishing story which ho constructed so artfully and yot so foolisldy. The good names of both tho Consul and Matiiafa aro too firmly ostnbh'shod horo to bo damaged by any snch rubbishing reports. It is probable that this story emanates from tho samo party.who spread tho report last week that Mr. CusuckSmith was about to imprison a substantial British residont upon a most unfounded and preposterous statement miido in Court, anil not oven sworn to. As an admirer of tho Dritish Navy and as a friend of Mr. Cusaek-Smith, I protest, Mr. Editor, against the further publication, through your columns, of any mora such nonsensical communications from anonymous contributors.

At no time sinco May of IHO'J has political affairs in Bomoa worn so peaceful an aspect as they hare during tho past two months. ' lertahily there are two nidi* ihi> Laupepa and Mataafa, but neither side appear to be prepared to engage In a war to support their rausp, and it is highly probable that if both parties Were left alone that a peaceful election would soon settle the vexed questinn of the kingship—in one 'act, without the

shedding of a drop of blood. If both sides are as strong in numbers as they say they are, surely they could both submit their claims to tho peoplo with tho greatest confidence. There is no danger of war breaking out, .as your informant says there is, unless lie or some othor firebrand sots it afoot. Truly, vigorous stops are needed, but vigorous steps will bo of no avail until Samoa is relieved of two incompetents who are pensioned upon her. The Jonah of onactmonts and tho djTiamitard must be cast, overboard beforo our ship of state will float upon a sea of prosperity.—l am, etc., I.X.L. AVo havo received a letter from Mataafa concerning tho report of tho Tutuila trouble that appoared in our columns last week. In tho interests of fair pla}-, we publish the letter, of which the following is a translation : TO TIIE EDITOE,'

Sin, —I have received two reports, one issued in your paper, and ono in the Samoa Times. Tho report printed in tho Samoa Times is correct and true. It concerns the troubles that are now going on in Tutuila. But tho report printed in tho now paper I hereby show forth, with all truth, that such report is wrong and false. I was not aware of any singlo plan mndo by the Tutuila people to create war, nor did I order them to eauso a fight, for tho Three Great Powers must well know, as well as all Samoa, that I am for ever firm in my wish for Samoa to secure peaco, and to have a just and good Government. There are a groat many evil things that havo boon done to me by my brother Laupopa and those at present around him, besides the two white men appointed hero by tho three Groat Powers.

Tho Manono peoplo had punished some of their own peoplo for certain offences contrary to their (Manono) customs. Then I heard that a mnu-o'-war was to go to Manono. lat onct' sent messengers to Manono that they were to receive the ship in a friendly way, and come on and hold an inquiry as to tho truth and light of tho affair. Tho result of this inquiry was that tliu chiefs woro imprisoned and deported to foreign lands, and whilst in prison the white man on Mulinuu ordered that they woro to bo blown up with dynamite, so that they might bo killed. Now, .sue, the conduct of such a gentleman appointed hen* by tho Three Powora to do good is not to ho of a such like nature.'

Let it bo known by the Three Grant rowers and all Samoa that a [great many evils have been done to me by my brother Laupepa and the people now with liim. Somo timo past they burned down houses in Vailelo, Laulii, and Sftfata, and completely destroyed plantations therein—plantations plunted solely for the use and support of tho people. See, such conduct creates war. It was just as oasy for me to show revenue as was easy for them to so act towards those who aro at present with me and myself; but, for my part, I don't want any disturbance. I thorefore make known, with all truth, that it would be best for the two white mon now on Mulinuu to return to their homes, for they aro of no use in any way. They are tho cause of putting back tho aim for a good Government in Samoa, owiug to tho instructions that thoy give. Thoy do not at all correspond with tho customs and ways of tho Samoa people Tho way in which those two gentlemen aro now carrying on tho Samoau Government is just liko tho way of a eliild; and again, their salaries are indeed excessive,' and yot thoy do nothing for th a good of Samoa. It is impossible £nr such a small placo as this to boat the heavy burdens of these salaries on their backs; and, another no coin could bo had if wo pay it in, and thoy send it away to thoir ho men and other places. My opinion is this: Th'at it would lie bettor for tho Municipal Council to look after tho taxes paid r,y tho English, Gorman, American andFronch residents and by all other and different traders in Apia, said taxes Vi boused only for tho fit beuetit of O.IU Municipality of Apia. I am exoeoduiff ly dosirous to make friends with my brothor Laupepo, if ho would only but agree with mo and glanco to road the Treaty as laid down at tho Confer once of tho. three Great l'oworsruado in tho capital of Germany, viz., Berlin, Although there are good clauses in somo parts und bud in other part*, and tiny should now bo ojtorou.

I conclude with my foregoing wishes, and may Samoa over prosper,—l am, utc., I.T.M.T. Mataaia.