DEATH OF MATAAFA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 196, 16 February 1912, Page 4

DEATH OF MATAAFA.

RATHER FAMOUS PERSONAGE; ''% Auckland, February 14. ' The following cablegram has been re-* ceived from Levuka, dated February 14-1 "Mataafa (aged 85) died on February <sj of old age. Tamasese and all officials, whites and natives, are in Apia in force attending the services at the cathedralThere wfll be no new appointment, and it is expected that soon all will be quiet." Subsequently to the year 1881 the Samoan islands assumed a much greater international importance than and in the troubles that followed the, influential chief Mataafa played an important part. - ,• Under a political arrangement between Great Britain, Germany, and the Unitea States, no single Power, was to' appro) priate the Navigators group. But in 1687j and 1888 civil war prevailed, the Germans supporting their candidate Tamasese as the lawful ksg and the British and American residents Malietoa. '

After the latter 1 had been deported by J the Germans, the British and American 1 support was transferred to Mataafa.. In the course of the fighting which ensued, some fifty German sailors and marine* were killed or wounded by the adherents of Mataafa. A conference between representatives of the three Powers was thereupon held at Berlin, and a treaty was executed on June 14, 1889, by virtue of which the autonomy of the group was ' granted, Malietoa was restored as king, and the three Powers constituted them- : selves practically a protectorate over; Samoa.

The government was administered under this treaty, but with considerable friction until the end of 1898, when upon the death of Malietoa, two rivai candidates for the throne appeared, and the Chief Justice selected by the three Powers decided against the claims of Mataafa in favor of a boy, Malietoa Tanu, a relative of the deceased Malietoa.

Civil war immediately ensued, in which several American and British officers and men were slain by the natives, the Germans upholding the claims of Mataafa, and the British and Americans supporting his rival. . The three Powers thereupon sent a Commission to Samoa to investigate and adjust. The situation, however, was found to be so complicated and embarrassing that, early in the year 1900 the so-called Berlin Treaty was abrogated, Great Britain withdrew her claims to any portion of the islands, and received compensation, from Germany by concessions in other parts of the world-