THE Grey River Argus PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, MAY 30, 1899.

Grey River Argus, Volume LVII, Issue 10296, 30 May 1899, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, MAY 30, 1899.

The members of the High Commission appointed by Great Britain, America, and Germany to inquire into the origin of the unfortunate state of affairs that has recently arisen at Samoa, arrived at Apia a few days ago ; and we may assume that no time was lost in trying to establish a" modus vivendi. Very shortly we ought to learn something of the result of the deliberations of the Commission. From all that can bo gathered of the interchanges of opinion that have taken place between the respective Powers there is "amanifest desire to come to an amicable" understanding regarding the points in. dispute. Great Britain appears to have adopted a non-committal policy so far except to demur to the proposal to partition the principal islands between the Powers interested, which was understood to .be one of the three alternative proposals of the German Government. As to the nature of the interchanges that have taken place between the United States of America and Germany, they are said to have been of the most frank and conciliatory nature, which is the most assuring of auguries that a cordial and satisfactory argument will be arrived at. The stipulation, however, of a clause in the Berlin Treaty that lays it down as imperative

that any arrangement to be arrived at must represent the unanimous opinion of ] the delegates, may lead to some difficulty i that is as yet unforeseen. A much simpler and easier way to adjust any difficulties likely to arise would be to allow a major- ' ity to decide. That would have been the i most obvious and ordinary way ; and to ! embody such a stipulation in the terms Of , the Treaty, and one so opposed fo common usage, would seem as if the Germans had been actuated by a dread that in consequence of the natural affinity of the British and Americans through a common language and similarity of aims there was a danger of their coalescence as against Germany. While there may have been some grounds for such apprehension at first glance, it ought to have but little weight when all the parties are professedly so anxious to come to a mutual and harmonious understanding. It has been said that the Berlin Treaty has proved a failure and must therefore be superseded. - But it must be remembered that all the objections in support of that view have emanated from purely German sources, and that the conditions of the Treaty have not been given a fair trial. Neither fche representatives of Britain nor the United, States manifested any hostility to the provisions of the Treaty, and if the German officials and planters had acted in a like spirit the lamentable scenes that have occurred could not have taken place. It was solely German influenoe that brought Mataafa forward as a candidate for the Kingship against Malietoa Tanu, deposed Chief Justice Chambers and set up an irregular provisional Government, though it had been laid down by the German Foreign Office as a standing instruction toitsofficials in the Samoan group that in no native complications ; that might arise as to- the kingship — for there has bees previous complications over that question, and in respect to. which Germany acted in a, most high-handed manner— was Mataafa to be made King of the Islands. He had caused the death of many German men-of-warsmen, and subjected their bodies to the indignity of beheading them according.to Native custom. Prince . Bismarck was particularly vehement on this point, and said that.; under no circumstances should Mataafa be allowed to be King.- . One of the first points it would seem then that, the [Commission ought to decide is fche part played by Dr Raffel and other German officers : in creating: the existing difficulties of the : position by ignoring: the provisions of: the Treaty j of Berlin. Dr Raffel has been recalled, but Consul Rose. is. . on the. . spot, and should be called upon to explain and; j ustif y the attitude of practical hostility to the other two powers that he chose to take up. ;Asit is quite clear there can be no unanimity jegarding any proposal to partition the Islands -. amongst the Powers interested, the.Conimigsion must inevitably bY thrown back upon the Treaty of Berlin, .with, probably, some modifications of no material importance. As the creation of the provisional Government was altogether irregular, and emanated solely from the representatives of Germany, it must ; go ; , and .as the candidature of Mataafa was merely a subsidiary incident of that revolutionary .act,, he should subside into his position of ordinary chieftainship. If he attempts to carry out his threat of resistance to his deposition, it would seem that the most advisable course to; pursue would be to drop the idea of a Native kingly puppet altogether, and amend the Treaty by effecing the kingship,. or do as Germany has done at the Camerons, and notify the Natives that the present Kingship will be the last. These Native royalties are mere effigies, of;. no use,, whatever, and likely to lead to a lot of trouble, evidence of which " Samoan .affairs have .afforded too sad an example lately. It may be urged, that Britain and America acted too hastily in the recent conflicts with the rebels, but when the lives of. Jill the residents at Apia but Germans were threatened and in actual danger, it; must; be admitted that there was no other course open than that pursued, sorrowful as she results proved. To have refrained from taking any action; ; as t-he, Germans and their warship, the Falke did, and a massacre of the British residents at Apia had followed — as was imminent enough under the circumstances— ; what would have been the effect an public opinion, we should like to know?- The substance of the petition sent by the German residents, at Samoa to Germany is to the effect that if the Government cannot annul the treat} and declare a German protectorate over Samoa it will at least secure such an amendment of it that there will be a real equality of privileges among the three Powers and their respective subjects, and that . the German law, the German language, the German money.may, be. assured a complete equality of privilege, that officials appointed under :the. treaty must understand German, that the control exercised over the municipal administration shall be abolished, and that' the. <power of the chief Justice shall, it this is' really necessary, be more exactly dsfined. PetitioDers are opposed te any- partition of Samoa These representations present no insuperable difficulty except that all officials under the treaty must understand German.

Mr Jellicoe indignantly repudiates the idea, that he isa member of the Wellington Law Society, which he says is commonly; known as the Mutual Admiration Society. But he says that he has the honor of being the only member in New Zealand of the Incorporated Law Society of the United Kingdom. He says that it is a matter of notoriety that the Wellington Law Society aro not in the habit of taking proceedings against any of their own members.

; The only Cabinet Ministerat Wellington or likely to be for some little; time,- is Mr Hall-Jones. Mr Seddon, who is going to : speak. at ' Auckland in reply to Captain Russell, will not be back before Friday next.

It is said that a journal in the interests of prohibition is about to be started at Wanganui.

This evening at St John's Debating Society " Impromptu Speeches" will be discussed.

The numerous friends of Mrs Black, of Arney srreet, who has been. very ill for some time back, will be pleased to learn that the old lady is improving in health considerably. Mrs Black is a very old resident of Grey mouth, and much respected by all .who know her.

Mr H Calders, Nelson Chief Postmaster, who, has been staying in Melbourne for the benefit of this health, has now proceeded to Brisbane, :

The ladies of Sreymouth intend to present the Greymouth Fire Brigade with a silk banner on the evening of the ball.

The Premier has informed Mr Graham (member for Nelson) that it would be unwise to take possession of, and throwopen, the land reserved under the Midlsnd Railway Company's contract, pending an appeal to the Privy Council, and, with a view to save time, allj the necessary documents have been prepared for that purpose, so as to get the final decision at the earliest possible moment. »It is quite possible that one of the most eminent counsel of the New Zealand bar will also proceed to England in connection with the matter. The smooth seas experienced during the last few days have encouraged fishermen to try for cod, some large hauls feeing made. Several of the fish were found to be full of greyling, in this case destroying fish better than themselves, so far as the popular taste is concerned. —WC Times. The Golden Bay Argus hears that Mr Joseph Taylor is still determined to enter the lists in the coming contest for the Motueka seat, notwithstanding the fact that Messrs McKenzie and Hursthouse will be candidates. Referring to the Premier's speech at Dannevirke, the Post says: — '"The Premier, with the intuition that in him is at times almost akin to political genius, realises the situation,, and, taking the tide at the food, is ready to launch yet another progressive Bill upon the stream of public opinion." It is significant of the low state into which Government railway stock has got (says a Wellington correspondent) that the department was obliged to borrow a number of carriages from the Manawatu Railway Company to enable it 1 6 cope with the traffic to and from the Wellington racecourse on Wednesday last. " Mercutio," in the Auckland Herald relates the following anecdote :— "It seems that last Sunday evening two fashionably dressed and somewhat elderly ladies entered the vestibule of one of the leading hotels in Auckland. The hostess a most polite lady, happened to be there; One of the ladies accosted her, saying, ' May we.go ;upstairsf The hostess said, '6 h; yes, certainly,' and accompanied them upstairs. The ladles peeped furtively into some rooms, and finally Were shown into the drawing room by the hostess. One of the Jadies said, • We are very ill, and had to leave the church 'hurriedly | can you let us have two whiskies and seltzer ; we want to catch the half-past eight tram. The ladies pleaded that they felt so ill that the hostess, kindly to her kind, went to her husband in an adjoining room, laid' the matter before him, and he at once said 'If the ladies will bring a doctor's certificate that it is absolutely necessary for the preservation of their health or lives, I" will open the bar and serve them.' This haying been communicated, the ladies left. It seems that the ladies are known, and it is believed they were engaged m the business of trapping." The accelerated mail train service from New 1 York to San Francisco, said to be the fastest long-distance train service in the world, was inaugurated at the beginning of; the New Year. The schedule time is reduced from -110 hours 55 minutes to 97 hours 55 minutes — a trifte over four days' for the run of 3,345 miles. Over 90 miles an hour is claimed to have been run dating part of the trip. Some sensational figures have heen published by the United States Adjutant-general. During the recent war the losses on the American side were 329 killed in action, 125 dead from their wounds, and 5277 ifram exposure and disease. When -lit is remembered that there werfe .never more than 20,000 United States troops in Cuba, the deadly character of the Cuban climate is seen ;& its true colours. ; Swelled head Is the most pitiable of eizures. If it arises from inordinate self s esteem, then it is also ridiculous and the sufferer had better climb down before the inevitable fall. If it is due to an excess of conviviality the " hair of the dog that bit" should be carefully avoided ; if the cause is a bad cold it inquires instant attention and treatment. The one tried and certain remedy is Woodsy J3reat Peppermint Cure. Pleasant to take; direct in action.; speedy in effect. Keep it on hand ; it is sold in Is 6d and 2s 6d bottles everywhere. ; — ADvi. W. M'Kay and Son have established a reputation for value, fit and style iir their tailoring department. Suit to measure from 50s upwards. — Advt.' /, Mr Gr.-Ingall of Red House, has now emoved his well-assorted stock of iron .mongery, crockery, fancy goods,- pipes, &c, to temporary premises, nextEasson'g Hall, Richmond Quay,; and in order to make room for new stock is offering the whole of the goods to the general public at less than cost price.— Advt. Free Insurance against accidents. T W. Tymons and Co have purchased the sole rights for the Drapery Trade in Grey mouth to issue Free Policies on account of the "Scottish Metropolitan Life Assurance Company." — Advt. The finest tea in the market is the Beehive Al Ceylon. It is to be had at Griffen and Smith's, Beehive and Union Stores. They are the sole agents for this celebrated brand.— Advt Our " up-to-date" townsman is= at it again with his stock-taking Sale. Bargains are offered that will astonish every person that visits him. Ladies' summer hats for 3d, dress pieces for 2s lid, 3s lid and 4s lid a dress. Calicos for 2s. Art muslin for 2d. Six yards Twill Cretonnes for Is 6d, and heaps of other lines must be cleared away before stocktaking at Christopher Smith's.— Advt. -, Unequalled and Invincible WoodVi Great Peppermint Cure for Cougha and Colds, 1/6.