Foreign Relations of the United States, 1894, Appendix I, Chinese-Japanese War, Enforcement of Regulation Respective to Fur Seals, Mosquito Territory, Affairs at Bluefields, Claim of Antonio Maximo Mora, Import Duties on Certain Products of Colombia, Haiti, and Venezuela, Affairs in the Samoan Islands
Sir Julian Pauncefote to Mr. Gresham.
Sir: With reference to my note of the 1st instant on the subject of affairs in Samoa, I have the honor, in accordance with instructions from the Earl of Kimberley, to inclose copy of dispatch from Her Majesty’s [Page 621] consul at Apia, reporting the steps taken by the consular representatives of the three powers, with a view to the restoration of peace in the Navigators Islands.
I have, etc.,
british consulate, samoa.
My Lord: I have the honor to report with reference to my No. 6, of January 30, that so far from ending the disturbances the action of the chief justice in imprisoning and fining the leaders of the rebellion in Aana only added fuel to the flame of discontent.
War rumors grew in intensity till, on March 10, President Schmidt hastily summoned the consuls “to a great fono (or meeting) about the war question,” and begged us to assist him.
The consuls then learned for the first time that the Samoan Government had determined to wage war against the Aana people, and that specific orders had been issued to the Savaii contingent and other Government supporters to that effect.
A reference to the map in my No. 6 will make the situation clearer, while the origin of the war is explained in my No. 8 of January 2.
Fighting had taken place that same morning, March 10, and one chief on either side had been killed, and several wounded.
The consuls were unanimously opposed to any further fighting, but were not supported by the chief justice. The president was at this first meeting also in favor of war.
More fighting occurred on Sunday and Monday, and by this time there were 19 wounded in the temporary hospital at Apia, and probably an equal number at Leulumoega. In all about 30 were killed or died from their wounds in the various engagements—a heavy death roll, compared with former Samoan wars.
On March 11 the consuls found out that the Samoan Government, many members of which are really hostile to King Malietoa, had summoned to Apia, ostensibly for the defense of the Government, the district of Atua, and that these warriors, were hourly expected in Apia.
We knew that their secret intention was to seize the King, overawe the Tuamasaga district, and then, joining with Aana, they intended to utterly crush the Samoan Government and the Tuamasaga district. As this would have involved fierce fighting in the municipality of Apia, with the greatest danger to the life and property of the white residents, the consuls, on March 12, waited on the president and the chief justice and formally protested against any armed contingents being summoned to the municipality, and at the same time handed to the president the appended proclamation, to which he gave his ready approval.
Subsequently we saw the King, who said we were quite correct in our opinion as to the loyalty of Atua and entirely approved our action. He said our proclamation was the only thing which would keep Atua from invading the municipality, and himself issued urgent orders in support of it.
Next day the Government party entered and burnt Leulumoega, the capital of Aana.
On the 14th messages arrived from Atua to the effect that the consuls’ proclamation would be obeyed, and the uneasy feeling among the white residents abated.
On the 13th, in consequence of persistent rumors that ammunition was being supplied in large quantities to the natives, the consuls personally visited the stores of all their nationals and took an inventory of all arms and ammunition in order to prevent it being supplied to the natives. In this work we received the ready assistance of our nationals without an exception. President Schmidt made a similar inventory in the case of foreigners not subject to consular jurisdiction. Scarcely any ammunition was found to be in Apia, and the rumors have since proved to be untrue.
On the 16th the Government summoned the consuls hurriedly and told us that Atua would disobey the proclamation and come immediately to Apia with hostile intentions.
The Samoan Government begged the consuls to go to Atcua and interview the Atua chiefs, and only permit such districts of Atua as were undoubtedly loyal to come to Apia.
This is a sort of ordeal common among the Samoans, and Atua expressed their satisfaction and agreed to obey the proclamation until the consuls otherwise ordered.
[Page 622]From sickness and other causes the consuls were unable to proceed to Atua until March, so when the fono or meeting was held at Saluafata I went on foot the day previous to see for myself the exact disposition of the Atua outpost through which I passed. At the fono the Atua chiefs expressed their willingness to join in a general peace and to delay their coming to Apia until the consuls had seen the Aana people and endeavored to stop the fighting in order to arrange peace.
Aana had two days previously sent to the consuls, offering to surrender to them and to abide by their decision.
We had great difficulty in inducing the native part of the Samoan Government to consent to peace; but on the 22d an armistice was arranged, which is still in force, and to-morrow the consuls will proceed to Aana, and I have every confidence that a satisfactory peace will be settled; after which, at our suggestion, a great meeting of all the chiefs in Samoa will be held, at which their grievances will be investigated.
My colleagues have cabled for war ships, but I do not consider any outside help is necessary or even desirable.
The consuls are working in complete accord with the white officials, who are supporting our efforts to mediate between the belligerents and would be belligerents, and I shall personally relax no effort to settle this matter speedily on the spot.
I have, etc.,
Proclamation.
To all Samoans:
Whereas we have been informed that it is the intention of armed parties from various districts of Samoa to come to Mulinuu. Now, we, the consular representatives of the great powers, warn all Samoans that any armed party entering the municipality will be held by us to be acting contrary to the intentions and orders of the great powers.
We therefore strongly protest against any armed party leaving its own district unless at some future date the Samoan Government, with our approval, shall see fit to order otherwise.
- T. B. Cusack-Smith,
Her British Majesty’s Consul. - Biermann,
Imperial German Consul. - W. Blacklock,
Vice-Consul-General, United States of America.