THE GERMANS IN SAMOA.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 44, 22 September 1887, Page 3

THE GERMANS IN SAMOA.

THE GERMAN SQUADRON’S SECBET MISSION. A telegram from Sydney states :— When, the German squadron left Sydney on the 3d August on a secret destination it was believed the mission of the Squadron was the establishment of some protectorate over Samoa, and an important passage in a despatch just received by the Governor from the Secretary of State for the colonies would seeai to afford confirmation of the supposition. Sir Henry Holland, writing on 23rd July, stated that with regard to the subjects discussed before the Imperial Conference as to Samoa the Conference approved the proposal now being considered at Washington by the representatives of Germany, the United States and England that one of the three Great Powers now interested in the group should for a term control native affairs there. The result of the Washington conference has not yet been made public, but there is very strong reason for believing that as German interests in Samoa are large it was decided to give Germany control over native affairs in Samoa. Jhe decision would probably be arrived at within a few days of Sir Henry Holland’s despatch, and instructions to proceed to Samoa would immediately be cabled to the German squadron at Port Jackson. At the time of the squadron’s departure the officer sent from Germany to replace the captain of one of the vessels, who, it may be remembered, died on the day that the squadron arrived at Sydney, was at Adelaide ; but the hurry of departure was so jreat that Admiral Knorr could not et the ship stay for him, and acting under instructions the captain shortly after left for Samoa by the Lubeck.