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Before proceeding farther, a brief resume of the events, leading up to the present war in Samoa, may prove of assistance  to a clear comprehension of the present state of affairs;

To go back for a space. – Malietoa Laupepa, the father of the present King, was formally made King of Samoa on July 12, 1881. His accession was followed by a series of petty wars until 1888, when the Germans attempted to sieze the Islands, captured  Laupepa and sent him into exile, and replaced him with Chief Tamasese, who was a puppet in their hands. This action of the German government was followed by remonstrances from the powers, and Civil War in Samoa. The native opposition love by Mataafa defeated Tamasese and beheaded and killed a number of German sailors, who had been landed to assist him. On the heels of this disaster came the great hurricane and tidelwave of March 16, 1889 in which three American and three German ships were lost, together with many lives. As a result of this great catastrophe on the 14 June 1889 the Berlin treaty was entered into by American, Great Britain and Germany; which gave to the people the free right to elect a king "according to the laws and customs of Samoa”, and also provide “that in case hereafter any question shall arise in Samoa respecting the rightful election or appointment of King, or of any other chief claiming authority over the island, such question shall not lead to war, but shall be presented to the Chief Justice of Samoa, we shall decide it in writing conformally to the provisions of this act, and to the laws and customs of Samoa not in conflict there with.”

The restoration of Malietoa Laupepa followed the signing of the treaty, and on the 6th of Dec 1889 he was formally inducted.