h emphasized my previously expressed opinions. Later
occurrences, the correspondence in regard to which will be laid before
the Congress, further demonstrate that the Government which was devised
by the three powers and forced upon the Samoans against their inveterate
hostility can be maintained only by the continued presence of foreign
military force and at no small sacrifice of life and treasure.

The suppression of the Mataafa insurrection by the powers and the
subsequent banishment of the leader and eleven other chiefs, as recited
in my last message, did not bring lasting peace to the islands.
Formidable uprisings continued, and finally a rebellion broke out in
the capital island, Upolu, headed in Aana, the western district, by the
younger Tamasese, and in Atua, the eastern district, by other leaders.
The insurgents ravaged the country and fought the Government's troops
up to the very doors of Apia. The King again appealed to the powers
for help, and the combined British and German naval forces reduced the
Atuans to apparent subjection, not, however, without considerable loss
to the natives. A few days later Tamasese and his adherents, fearing the
ships and the marines, professed submission.

Reports received from our agents at Apia do not justify the belief
that the peace thus brought about will be of long duration. It is
their conviction that the natives are at heart hostile to the present
Government, that such of them as profess loyalty to it do so from fear
of the powers, and that it would speedily go to pieces if the war ships
were withdrawn. In reporting to his Government on the unsatisfactory
situation since the suppression of the late revolt by foreign armed
forces, the German consul at Apia stated:

That peace will be lasting is hardly to be presumed. The lesson given
by firing on Atua was not sufficiently sharp and incisive to leave
a lasting impression on the forgetful Samoan temperament. In fact,
conditions are existing which show that peace will not last and is not
seriously intended. Malietoa, the King, and his chiefs are convinced
that the departure of the war ships will be a signal for a renewal of
war. The circumstance that the representatives of the villages of all
the districts which were opposed to the Government have already
withdrawn to Atua to hold meetings, and that both Atua and Aana have
forbidden inhabitants of those districts which fought on the side of the
Governm