Why was Lauaki Namulau'ulu exiled to Saipan?

Lauaki Namulau‘ulu was an orator chief who led the Mau a Pule, a movement for political independence in Western Samoa that began in 1908. The movement arose because the matai (chiefs) were dissatisfied with the German governor’s attempts to centralize authority and alter the fa‘a Samoa (the "Samoan way of life").12

After the governor responded to the movement by calling in warships, Lauaki and nine of his leading supporters surrendered. They were subsequently tried and exiled to Saipan in the Mariana Islands.12