THE SAMOAN QUESTION.

Evening Star, Issue 111556, 15 February 1900, Page 1

THE SAMOAN QUESTION.

Malictoa Tami, in a letter to the London ‘ Times,’ published on January 4, says that the position of Samoa is a gross violation of the treaties, and also a crime against the law ov nations, only equalled by the dismemberment of Poland, Denmark. ’ and France. He thinks, if it is for the Groat Powers to promote wars and annexations and distract, tho minds of the people, the Hague Conference was the greatest farce of 1110” century. The writer also asserts that the civilisation in the Louth boas, Africa, and elsewhere is inferior to the primitive stale of the countries stolen, leading to war through breach of faith on tho part of tho Government officials and to the decimation of the people by contagious diseases and spirituous liquors. Ho continues: —“ Missionaries who graced our country with their holy and unholy presence introduced the same religious influences, .and hatreds against each other which pertained at the hour in civilised Stales. The missionaries live in palatial concrete houses, with all (be luxuries the countries can afford, and charge us for Bibles and Prayer Books, which.we”understand arc sent us as a free offering.” Malicton further charges the missionaries with extracting all the money possible from them, in return for which they receive a Bible and Prayer Book. A Wesleyan missionary is charged With collecting £27,000 at, a single meeting at Tonga, adding: “Missionaries aroused a great spun, of emulation by tolling tho Natives the largest giver would ho Ihe most acceptable in the sight of God. .and thus reversing the spirit of the widow's -mite.”