Capt. Bickford recommends in this report that the exiled chiefs should be
accompanied by their wives during their internment, and the reasons
which he advances for this opinion seem to me to deserve
consideration.
It may, not improbably, be found necessary to detain these chiefs for an
indefinite period in a country where their own dialect is not
understood, and I am of opinion that to separate them from their
families under these circumstances would involve a punishment of
excessive severity, inexpedient on the grounds of humanity and policy
alike.
It is observable that Capt. Bickford expresses doubts as to the existence
of the Samoan custom, which is alleged by the native Government to
justify a measure of this character. Such a custom, however, if it could
be proved, can have no binding force in the present instance, as it is
already inapplicable to the practice of civilized powers.
I have accordingly to request that in calling attention to the views
expressed by Capt. Bickford, you will make a representation in the above
sense to the German Government.
[Inclosure No. 2.]
Capt. Bickford
to Rear-Admiral Bowden-Smith.
“Katoomba,” at Apia,
Samoa, August 16,
1893.
Sir: In continuation of my letter of
proceedings of the 18th July, I have the honor to report as
follows:
On the morning of Wednesday, the 19th July, I weighed from Monono,
with Mataafa and the other political prisoners on board. On arrival
at Apia these prisoners were distributed among the ships of war
present, Mataafa and six of his principal chiefs being retained on
board Katoomba, while 10 of the others were
sent to the German vessels Bussard and Sperber, and the remainder were landed.
Meetings took place between the consuls of the three powers, the
German senior naval officer corvette, Capt. Flechtenhüfer, and
myself, at which the advice to be given to the Samoan Government was
determined on: This was that Mataafa and his principal chiefs should
be deported to the island of Fakaafo, Union Group, pending the
decision of the three governments, the remainder to be dealt with by
tine and imprisonment.
This advice was acted on by the Samoan Government, and a formal
communication was sent to me by the consuls. Communication forwarded
herewith.
I was unable to take Mataafa and his chiefs myself to the Union
Group, as my coal had not yet arrived from Auckland. I communicated
with the German senior naval officer and he arranged to send the Sperber. The Sperber
embarked Mataafa and the other chiefs, and left for Fakaafoo, Union
Group, on the 26th July.
On the 27th July, the Upolu arrived from
Auckland, having our coal on board, according to previous
arrangement. We left for Pango-Pango on the 28th to take this coal
in, as there ig too much swell at Apia for steamers to lay
alongside. We arrived at Pango-Pango on the evening of the 28th, and
on the morning of the 29th the upolu arrived
and came alongside, when we took in the coal she had for us. I
remained at Pango-Pango till the 3d August, when, in the evening, I
left for Apia, arriving there on the morning of the 4th August,
carrying out night-firing en route.
During the stay at Pango-Pango I ascertained that fighting had been
recently going on between rival chiefs, nominally of the party of
the King and of Mataafa; but really these were local affairs brought
on through jealousy as to titles. I had some of the chiefs on board,
and communicated by letter with others, informing them that the
civil war had been put a stop to by the action of the three powers,
and that all fighting must cease. They all expressed themselves as
most anxious to stop fighting, and probably will, at least for some
time.
[Page 606]
On arrival at Apia I found all quiet; the country is settling down,
the armed forces have returned to their districts, and things
generally have quieted down wonderfully, considering the recent
excited state of affairs.
The English consul informs me that he does not consider the presence
of men-of-war at all necessary now, although of course the place
should he visited tolerably frequently; possibly if a vessel came
here every two months in the nonhurricane season and remained for a
week or ten days, it would be quite sufficient. A ship should, if
possible, visit Samoa as soon alter the hurricane season as
possible, say the middle of May.
On Wednesday, the 9th of August, I, accompanied by the English consul
and three of the officers of the Katoomba,
paid an official visit to the King. I informed the King that I had
postponed paying my official visit (I had visited him unofficially
before) till affairs had quieted down; that now such was the case, I
did so and congratulated him on the successful termination of the
rebellion, which was due to the action of the three powers; that I
wished that not only himself and the chiefs then present, but also
all Samoa, would clearly understand that the powers were determined
to uphold his (the King’s) authority, and that all Samoa would
acquiesce and settle down peacefully and quietly. The King replied
that he and all his chiefs were most sensible of what they owed to
the action of the three powers on this occasion that on the breaking
out of the rebellion they were much distressed that the powers would
not act on their behalf. They had determined, however, to go on and
put down the rebellion, which might have lasted some time, but they
were delighted beyond measure when the powers came to their
assistance, and with such happy results, comparing the action of the
three powers to “Moses stretching out his arms over the Red Sea for
the Israelites to cross.” One of the chief talking men also spoke in
much the same strain. Royal or King’s kava was then partaken of, an
elaborate and unusual ceremonial. On leaving, I told the King I
should be pleased to see him and some of his chiefs, on board, and
thanked him for his reception, which was, so I am informed,
unusually friendly. On the 11th of August the King, accompanied by
seven or eight of his chiefs, and Mr. Maben, the King’s adviser,
returned the visit. We went to general quarters and worked the guns,
torpedoes, etc., for them, and saluted him, on leaving, with
twenty-one guns.
From what I have seen and heard while in Samoa, I can not but think
that the present troubles would never have come to a head had the
European powers been represented by one head. There are five
highly-paid officials here now with very undefined powers. The
result can not naturally be successful. The natives, who are by no
means fools, see and know of the divided counsels and want of
accord, and so, to a certain extent, would be inclined to play off
one party against the other. Mataafa’s party, undoubtedly, never
believed that the powers would unite against him, and the great
difficulty has been that he, or rather his party, could never be
brought to understand that the powers were determined to act in
favor of the King. Had they realized it, the trouble would never
have taken place.
A certain section of the community in Samoa state, or have stated,
that they consider that the Catholic mission here have encouraged
the party of Mataafa in their action against the Government. I have
taken some trouble to arrive at a conclusion on this point, having
communicated not only with the fathers of the mission, but with many
others who are not in any way connected with them, either by
religion or otherwise, and I am perfectly convinced, from what I
have heard that such is really nothing but a malignant invention,
probably started by ignorant, narrow-minded, and bigoted
individuals. On the contrary, the one object of the mission has been
to endeavor to induce Mataafa to clearly understand that the powers,
having placed the King where he is, must necessarily support him,
and that it was his duty in every way not to put himself into
opposition to the King’s party, and I believe, further, that they
would have succeeded in their endeavors had it not been (as I stated
before) that Mataafa’s party could never be got to understand that
the three powers would act against him, and to this various
circumstances have contributed. He (Mataafa) is very generally
respected and looked upon as probably the most intelligent chief in
Samoa; then, too, he, like all Samoa, has seen the want of accord
between the officials.
He has also, through various visits that have been paid him, got
possibly rather an enlarged view of his own importance, and further
finds it difficult to forget that he had been King, and no doubt
would still be had it not been for the Berlin Treaty. However, for
the present, things have been settled; there is little doubt that
Mataafa and the chiefs who are with him should be kept for some
time, at least, out of the country. I think, however, that the
chiefs should be allowed to have their wives with them. On this one
point (the only one, I am glad to say) I was not in agreement with
my colleagues, as I consider it not only an unnecessary piece of
cruelty, but also a mistake of policy, as you will only have these
women plotting in favor of their husbands; (neither do I agree that
it is Samoan custom).
Tile Bussard and Sperber crews are to be relieved in the middle of
September by
[Page 607]
steamer from
Sydney; after the relief, the Sperber leaves
for the Cameroons (coast of Africa) via Singapore, Cape, etc. She is
to be relieved on the station by the Volga.
The Bussard will probably remain here
awaiting orders. The American cruiser Philadelphia has been ordered here, but I think it most
probable that now that affairs are settled, her orders will be
countermanded.
On the arrival of Ringdove I shall direct her
to proceed to Sydney, and on arrival of Rapid
order her to return to Fiji (when the consul has had his trip in her
which he anticipates having to take to Union group, etc.), as
neither are required now.
The various drills, etc., have been carried out, with the exception
of torpedo practice; there is no suitable place to run torpedoes.
Opportunities have been taken to land the small-arm men, marines,
and field-guns’ crews.
The health of the ship’s company remains very good.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No. 1.]
The consuls of the treaty
powers to Capt. Bickford.
Apia, Samoa, July 25, 1893.
Sir: We have the honor to inform you that
at the meeting which we had this morning with the King and
Government they begged us to request the naval commanders that
Mataafa and the chiefs now on the men-of-war should be deported from
Samoa as quickly as possible to some safe place, where they may
remain until the reply of the powers can be received.
The Samoan Government is of opinion that the longer the chiefs remain
on the men-of-war the more plotting and intriguing there will be. In
the present excited state of Samoa it would take very little to stir
up further trouble.
The Government, in reply to our question whether women would be
allowed to accompany the chiefs on board the men-of-war, said that
they would very strongly object. It would be contrary to Samoan
custom.
We fully indorse the request of the Samoan Government, and beg you to
take the necessary steps to carry it out.
We suggest the island of Fakaafu, in the Union group, as it is
suitable in every respect. Samoan is talked there, and we have
precedent for the selection, as the Government of Samoa has
previously deported five chiefs to Fakaafu, with satisfactory
results.
We beg that every precaution be taken to keep the departure and
destination absolutely secret. Any demonstration of farewell might
produce results which we could not control.
If it is desired, a Government official, who can act as interpreter,
will accompany the prisoners, and he is authorized to make the
arrangements for their maintenance, for which the Government-of
Samoa will provide. He would returns to Samoa in the man-of-war.
We have, etc.,
- T. B. Cusack-Smith,
Her Britannic Majesty’s
Consul. - Siegmann,
Imperial German Consul. - W. Blacklock,
Vice-Consul-General, United
States.
