The Liberal, Volume I, Number 38, 14 Ianuali 1893 — A King in Trouble. [ARTICLE]

A King in Trouble.

Captain M. White of the schooner Made of Orleans brings the latest information regarding King Tebareimoa and his subjects, who were, figuratively speaking, taken prisonerr by Captain Davis of the cruiser Royalist when he hosted the British flag on the islands some months ago. According to the captain, the entire native population is greatly disturbed over the situation, the King don't know what to do and the British sovereignty has caused fear and trembling in every direction. Work on the coral wharf is suspended and trade, in a measure, is paralyzed. "King Tebureimoa was on board my vessel for three days before we sailed," said the captain yesterday, "and he all but went down on his knees to beg me to try and intercede in his behalf with the American Government. He is badly worried and continually harps on the idea that this Government ought to take him under its protecting wing. The changes that have taken place bewilder him and all his former suavity is gone. He knows that there is a yoke around his neck, but how to get it off he has no idea." A person well informed about South sea matters said yesterday that it was his opinion that the British Government was only waiting for King Tebureimoa to commit himself in some way so that an excuse might be offered for deposing him and making his son King. The British commissioner at Butaritari is said to be watching the King very closely, which helps to disturb him. When the British flag was hoisted on the Gilbert group the foreign residents met and the King drew up a petition to Congress, asking that he might put himself under American protection. The petition was never forwarded to Washington. It is claimed that should his petition ever be presented, Tebureimoa will be deposed as ruler and taken away from his island home as old Malietoa was by the Germans in Samoa -Chronicle.