TROUBLE IN SAMOA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 7, 9 January 1886, Page 2

TROUBLE IN SAMOA.

UNWARRANTABLE AGGRESSION BY GERMANS. The King Driven From Ms Home. Appeal for British Help. By the arrival of the mail steamer Mariposa from San Francisco via Samoa, we receive alarming intelligence of recent events in connection with the longstanding dispute between the German Trading Company and the native followers of King Malietoa. The news which is derived from undoubted sources, is to the effect that the King has been driven from his residence at Muluniu Point by a a strong armed force from a German war-ship - he, in pursuance of his usual policy of non-resietance, only averting bloodshed by withdrawing. The English and American Consuls at Apia have Btrongly protested against the action of the Germans, and the natives have made an urgent appeal for British protection.

Two Samoan natives (Upolu and Seu Manu) have arrived by the Mariposa, and aro the bearers of letters to His Excellency the Governor and the Hon. the AttorneyGeneral, which they intond to present in person at Wellington. One of the above gentlemen isa representative chief, and theother — who speaks English with fluency and correctness -is his adviser. Our reporter interviewed them upon landing, but found them yery reticent as to the object of their mission. After some conversation as to the McArthur-Cornwall land dispute, purjrepresentative asked what was the particular business that had brought them to New Zealand. "To eoe the country," was the politic reply, and from that position tho astute natives could not be got to move.

From a gentleman who has just arrived from Samoa we have gleaned the following particulars of the affair :— On 31at December last Mr Webber beard of the German firm, warned the nativos that as they had failed to pay the rent demanded by him for their occupation of the land at Mulinuri they would have to leave. (Mulinuri is the point where King Malietoa's settlement is and where on account of land claimed by the German firm, the Imperial Flag of Germany has been floating for more than a year past). The natives offered two years' rent but Mr Webber declined to receive it. They further offered to purchase'the land, and said they had the money ready to pay for it, but Mr Webber declined any terms, and insisted upon them leaving. In order to avoid bloodshed Malietoa resolved to leave the disputed land, and accordingly the whole settlement?, with their chattels, removed to land belonging to one of the chiefs nearer to Apia, where King Malietoa's flag was hoisted. This seemed to only make the Germans mare aggressive. The German Consul called and asked the King to haul down the flaer, which the latter refused to do. Thereupon the Consul ordered ashore the crew of the German war-ship Albatross, some three or four hundred in number, and ordered them to haul down the flag. To this the natives offered no resistance, acting on the advice of Lieutenant Powell, British Consul, who foresaw that the solo result (of opposition would be a massacre of thenatives by the German sailors and marines. Along, with the United States Consul, Lieut. Powell lodged a strong protest against the arbitrary proceedings of the Germans, and it is believed the Consuls will make urgent representations on the subject to their respective Governments. The native delegation now in New Zealand have been sent by King Malietoa to press upon the Government of the colony the necessity for protection against German aggression, and they will, it is understood, urge that a British war ship be at once despatched to the spot. It eeems that jH.M.S. Miranda, which was ordered to Samoa from Sydney some months ago, should not havejromained at Apia to preserve the peace, for it has been notorious for the past two^yeara that the Germans have been doing their utmost to cause a disturbance and so create a protest for annexing the Islands. We understand the Miranda called and after staying in harbour for a few days returned to Sydney. Meanwhile a German war ship has sailed in, and in a high-handed style' has virtually deposed^ the King of damoa and driven him from his residence. The consequences must be serious to British Enterprise and Commerce in the Samoan Islands, -unless vigorous steps are taken to replace Malietoa in full authority and obtain an apology and reparation from Germany for their breaoh of treaty and violent interference.