“LOOKING FOR TROUBLE”

Evening Star, Issue 19795, 20 February 1928, Page 5

“LOOKING FOR TROUBLE”

THE SAMOA CRISIS DIPLOMACY WANTEO-NOT FORCE [Special to the ‘ Star.’] AUCKLAND, February 20. “ The whizz of the bullet is as the song of the dove.” “ Samoans have been bombarded- before,” said the Hon. O. F. Nelson, the deported Samoan Legislative Councillor, when informed of the Government’s decision to send warships, and he quoted tho above saying of his people. “This action is precipitate,” said Mr Nelson, “ not precautionary, and it may cause a great deal of trouble.” • The Administrator was evidently “looking for trouble.” “ Under present circumstances the despatch of warships is particularly foolish. Diplomacy is what is required, not force.” General Richardson had told tho Commissioners that if he (Mr Nelson) was out of the way all would be well, or words to Unit effect. But is it?” demanded Mr Nelson. “Here 1 am, and what is happening?’’

The truth of the waiter was that the Commissioner was peculiarly embai' rassed just now, owing to the fact that the head tax had not been collected. This would repres'iut about £20,000 of Samoan revenue, and it was a very serious matter for the Administration. Tho collection of this tax had already been postponed once, as it was duo at the end of the month, said Mr Nelson. The Administrator had“either to do something like this or admit failure.”