Political and Administrative.

It was in the early seventies when Samoa first attracted the attention of America, and Colonel Steinberger, an American official, visited Samoa. He established a Government with two Houses—the Upper, known as "Taimua," and the Lower House, called "Faipule." Malietoa Talavou was then King of Samoa. Subsequently Germany became interested, and in 1876 entered into an agreement with Malietoa for the protection of the persons and property of German nationals. In 1878 Chief Mamea visited Washington and arranged a Treaty of Friendship between the United States of America and Samoa. This was quickly followed by Great Britain negotiating a treaty, in 1879. with Samoa, and Germany again approaching the Samoan Government demanding a Treaty with the "most favoured nation" clause inserted.

Real trouble between Samoa and Foreign Powers began in 1888. when the German Consul established Tamasese as a king in opposition to Malietoa Laupepa, who was then reigning. Great Britain and America awoke to the fact of the interference of Germany in the kingship of Samoa, and began to take a more active part in Samoan affairs. The feeling between the Consuls of Great Britain, Germany and America became bitter and intense. In 1888-1889 war was waging in the Islands, with Germany page 5 supporting one faction (Tamasese) and Great Britain and America supporting the Malietoa-Mataafa faction. This culminated in the great hurricane of March, 1889, when the American (three) and German (three) warships in Apia Harbour, were all wrecked. The British ship of war, "Calliope," was the only vessel afloat after the hurricane. A conference of the Powers was then held in Berlin, and the outcome of that meeting was the signing of the Treaty of Berlin, 1889, by which the autonomy of the King and Government of Samoa was acknowledged by the Great Powers, and arrangements were made for giving assistance to the "autonomous" government of Samoa by appointing a Chief Justice and a President of the Municipality of Apia. After many delays these two officials were appointed by the Powers, and they arrived in Samoa.

The Samoan King, Government, and people hailed with great favour the new order, and it was expected that all disputes amongst the Powers and the recurring internal troubles would be ended. The first Chief Justice, conrad Cedererandz, received a great ovation from the Chiefs and people. His initiation of office gave promise of peace and prosperity. Troubles, however, soon-arose, and the old rivalries of the Powers were renewed. Between the Chief Justice and the President of the Municipality of Apia, who was also Custodian of the Revenue of the Government and of the Municipality of Apia, a form of "dictatorship" was practised, and this was strongly resented by the King and the Government.