ANNEXATION OF SAMOA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 5478, 9 February 1885, Page 2

ANNEXATION OF SAMOA.

German Flag Holstod at Apia.

Deputation of Chiefs to Now Zoaland. By tho arrival of tho mall steamer City of Sydney wo are placed in possession of fuller and later details of what ha« boon transpiring in Samoa. From our own correspondent's lotter dated 20th January, and other sources, wo obtain the following narrative of ovonts:—Tho German man-o'-war Albatross has boon lying at Apia, on tho island of Upolu, and under its approval and protection tho German flag was, on tho 23rd January, hoisted thero by tho Consul, Dr. Stilbel. At tho samo time ho issued tho following Proclamation. "Bo it known unto all Samoans that for a long timo past tho Government of King Malietoa has done that which produces bad fooling and disrespoct t< wards tho Gorman Government, and has ropeatodly broken tho agreomont between tho Gorman and Samoan Governments. On this account I havo thought fit to tako steps for tho protection of tho porsonsand property of Germans, and consider it proper to tako possession of (faaman) tho town and district of Apia, in which aro Malinuu and tho harbour of Apia, and to hold thorn as by the authority of tho Government of Maliotoa and tho Gorman Govornmont, in proof of which tho Hag of tho Emperor of Germany has boon hoisted at Malinuu; and to declare that tho Gorman Government only has at this timo authority in the places boforo montior.ed. Samoans, I state distinctly to you that only tho land called the Eleele 8a (neutral territory) has been taken posseasion of, and that no other part of Samoa has been takon possession of; and it is woll for yon to know that what has boon dono has not been dono in unkindnoss to Samoa. Tho Gorman (iovornmont is desirous that tho Samoan Government should bo strong,^ nnd continuo friendly towards tho German' Govornmont. After tho presont difficulties hivo beon removed, tho land at presont takon possession ot will be given up again (tataluina). I request you not to bo anxious, but to put confidence in tho Gorman Govornmont, and in mo, in which caso Samoa will prospor. (Signed) Dr. Stubel, Gorman Consul-Gonoral. 23rd January, 1885." 1 ho proclamation is mado in tho Samoan language only, and tho abovo is a translation giving tho substantial purport of tho extraordinary document. It is considorod at Apia that tho Gorman Consul has violated tho rules of tho municipality, and the English and Amorican consuls at once issued tho following protest, and hod it posted all ovor tho town : — " Wo, tho Consuls of tho United States and Groat Britain, do horeby make known that wo will insist upon the rights of tho Convention boing obsorvod, and doprecato forco boing used. (Signed) T. Canisius, United States Consul. W. Churchward, Consul for Great Britain." Our correspondent says: "From those proceedings thoro is likoly to be a lively timo at tho mooting on Friday of tho municipality, and tho ond will be that tho Germans will withdraw tho German consul from the municipality. Tho Germans horo are doing all in their power todothrono tho king, and dispute tho power of tho chiefs. From an interview I had with Swomon, tho governor of the island of Upolu, and a number of other chiefs, they said they intond to go to Auckland in tho schooner Fleetwing with Mr J. Lundon to see tho Governor of Now Zoaland. Whether they will carry out that intontion or not I am not in a position to say, but there is somo likelihood of their going to Auckland. Tho Fleotins will leave hero for Auckland in about 14 or 1G days from tho 26th of January. At tho dato of writing, it was bolioved in Apia that tho Germans intended to tako similar Hops to the above at Tonga, tho objoct boing to intimidate tho natives and pavo the way for annexation to Germany. Tho effect at Samoa, howovor, will bo to drivo thorn to seek British protection, and it was expected that tho nativo Parliament and King would sign a petition to the Government of Now Zealand praying for annexation to this colony."

(BY TEIiEORAFH.— OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, this day. It is rumoured in political circles that as an outcomo of tho recent Anglo-German negotiations on the subjoot of annexation in the Western Pacific, England would be willing and is a littlo anxious that Germany should give up her vested interests in New Guinea, and take tho supremacy at Samoa. Somo of tho Australian colonio?! no doubt, would gladly accedo to such .an arrangement ; but others, among which New Zealand is of course included, looking upon New Guinea as a white elephant compared with other groups, are stroncly inclined to resont any ouch arrangement. Communications are passing between tho several Governments on the subject, and it is likely they will combino to formally protest against such an agreement being entered into. Tho Now Zealand Government have already takon action in this direction, and through the Agent-General have entered a protest against any steps being taken in the direction indicated.