[Inclosure.]
Extract from report of Capt.
Bickford.
I arragned with Capt. Flechtenhüfer (the German senior naval officer)
that the Bussard should do the work at Annuu
Island, whilst the Katoomba did the Pango
Pango; also that the Sperber should call in
at Pango Pango and communicate with me, and, if we had the chiefs on
hoard, take them to Apia, the Katoomba
remaining for a few days to see that order was kept.
On Friday, 22d September, I accordingly proceeded to Pango Pango,
taking with me Mr. Maben (the secretary of state) and some chiefs of
the Government and police. We arrived the same evening, and notices
were at once sent to the different chiefs, many of them at some
distance from Pango Pango, arranging for a meeting at 10 a.m. on
Monday, 25th September.
On Saturday, 23d September, the Bussard called
off Pango Pango (by previous arrangement), and Capt. Flechtenhufer
sent me a letter, informing me that the chiefs from Aunuu Island had
embarked on board the Bussard, and that he
was leaving at once for Apia.
On Monday, 25th September, I landed with Mr. Maben and met the chiefs
of Pango Pango district. I first of all told them that I had placed
their statements before the King to the effect that they were
prepared to submit to his decision in their quarrel; that a
proclamation had been issued by the King, and countersigned by the
three consuls (as representatives of the three powers), which would
be read to them; that this proclamation had been issued also to the
people in Annuu, and had been obeyed by them, and that I felt sure
they would also obey; that, of course, any who were disobedient to
the King’s proclamation would have to be punished.
I then requested Mr. Maben that the King’s proclamation might be
read. This was done, and after a few minutes one of the chiefs
replied that they were perfectly
[Page 609]
prepared to keep the promise they had given
me, and to obey the proclamation of the King.
I then told the chiefs named that they must be onboard that evening,
and by sunset they were on board. The next morning the Sperber (as previously arranged), arrived and
took these chiefs on board, also Mr. Maben and the members of the
Government and proceeded to Apia, touching en route at Leone, to
pick up the other chiefs of the Pango Pango party who were permitted
to come on board there, as their districts were in that
neighborhood.
I remained at Pango Pango till Friday, the 30th, when I returned to
Apia. During our stay at Pango Pango I visited some of the villages
to which the people had returned from Aunuu, and they were beginning
to rebuild their houses and reestablish themselves. At first there
was some little excitement, but I think my visits and conversations
had a reassuring influence. I also had some of the rival chiefs on
board the Katoomba (those who were not taken
to Apia) and explained to them that either party breaking the peace
would be punished, and apparently they were now on good terms with
each other.
On the 25th I received a small quantity of coal from the steamship
Upolu.
The chiefs brought to Apia are now awaiting trial at Mulinuu.
Unfortunately, the epidemic of measles (which is increasing in
severity) prevents an immediate trial, but I am informed it will
take place as soon as possible.
All is now quiet in the Samoan Islands.
I am told that taxes are being paid in, which has not been the case
for some length of time (to any extent).
I think their is little chance of any organized attempt against the
authority of the King, though, doubtless, from time to time there
may be local troubles between rival chiefs, the misfortune being
that there is no Government force to act. All these troubles would
be easily put a stop to if there were a properly trained native
force of, say, 100 men under some European officer, and some means
of getting about the islands, such as a steam tug or launch. If the
Government had this they could easily put a stop to any outbreak,
and without any necessity of applying to the various
representatives, the latter course generally eventuating in nothing
being done.
I beg again to bring to your notice the cordial cooperation I have
met with from the German naval commanders. Capt. Flechtenhüfer has
often assisted me with his advice, and throughout this Samoan
business our views have been identical and, when action was
necessary, it has always been carried out with promptitude and
exactitude. It has been a real pleasure to me to meet with such a
cordial spirit on the part of my German naval colleagues.
