SAMOAN NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7484, 25 February 1885, Page 3 (Supplement)

SAMOAN NEWS.

AUCKLAND, Feb. 9

A Samoan correspondent, writing under date Jan. 28, says :—After the mails which were brought from New Zealand and San Francisco had been delivered from the schooner which brought them to shore from the steamer, a force was sent on shore from the German man-of-war in port, and paraded the streets of Apia, in order to intimidate the Samoans. Next morning four boat-loads of men landed and took possession of a piece of land where the King resided. They erected a flagstaff, and built a sham redoubt. Mr Webber, who is at the head of a big German firm here, sent a number of coloured labourers to do the work, while the men who were landed from the man-of-war furnished the working party protection by posting sentries all round. This parade went on till sundown. It is stated here that the arrival of Mr John Lundon has been the immediate cause of this flutter, and at any rate the authorities here requested Mr Lundon to take despatches to that portion of the Natives who are most likely to be influenced by the Germans. He started with an interpreter in a whaleboat one night, and reached his destination next morning. Mr Lundon had a long conversation with Mahu, the king-maker. He tuld Mr Lundon, in the presence of a large meeting, that he would go to New Zealand with him, and would sign the petition drafted by Mr Tole at Sir George Grey's request. The petition was sent to Mr Lundon eighteen months ago, but the persons in whose employ he thelf was forbade him to get any signatures. Then Mr Lundon gave Mahu the petition. He said he would get the missionaries to translate it. The Fleets wing, schooner, will leave in five days from now with a deputation from the Parliament and King to New Zealand re Annexation. I hope you will support their mission. The Fleetwing ought to be in Auckland about Feb. 20. The Fleetwing will carry the Samoan flag. Before leaving, a resolution will have been passed in the Samoan Parliament and approved by the King, praying for annexation to New Zealand.

The following important items are to hand via Auckland :—- SAMOA, Jan. 23. M. Stubert, the German Consul, has issued the following proclamation: — "Be*it known unto all Samoans, that for a long time past the Government of King Malietoa has done that which produces a bad feeling and disrespect towards the German Government, and has repeatedly broken the agreement between the German and Samoan Government. On this account I have thought fit to take steps for the protection of persons and property of the Germans, and consider it proper to take possession of the town and district of Apia, in which are Mahuia and the harbour of Apia, and to hold Malietoa for the German Government, in proof of which the flag of the Emperor of Germany has been hoisted at Mahuia, and to declare that the German Government only has at this time authority in the places before mentioned. Samoans, I state distinctly to you, that only the land called the Eleelesa (neutral territory) has been taken possession of, and that no other part of Samoa has been taken possession of. It is as well for you to know that what has been done has not been done in unkindness to Samoa; the German'Government is desirous that the Samoan Government should be strong, and continue friendly towards the German Government. After the present difficulties have been removed the land at present taken possession of will be given up again. I request you not to be anxious, but to put confidence in the German Government and in me, in which case Samoa will prosper." The English and American Consuls at once issued the following protest:— " We, the Consuls of the United States and Great Britain, do hereby make known that we will insist upon the rights of the Convention being observed, and deprecate force being used. "T. CANISSU6, " United States Consul. " W. Churchward, " Consul for Great Britain."