Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1918. THE WAR CABINET.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1081, 6 February 1918, Page 4

Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1918. THE WAR CABINET.

It has been known unofficially for some time that meetings of the War Cabinet, and of the Imperial Conference, would be held during the early part of the year. Until quite recently it was understood that, while the Dominion would bo represented by two members of the National Government, Mr Massey had definitely decided to remain in New Zealand, the suggestion being made that the Defence Minister would accompany Sir Joseph Ward as the second representative at the Council Board of the Empire. However, the British authorities have made such urgent representations upon the matter that Mr Massey has now announced that last year’s delegates will again attend the special sittings of the War Cabinet and of the Imperial Conference. Mr Massey has had the intimation that it is desirable the Prime Ministers of the several Dominions and of the States represented last year, should be present on the forthcoming occasion; that their presence is regarded us indispensable as important decisions have to be arrived at affecting the interests of the Dominions and overseas possessions of the Empire. Under such circumstances -Mr Massey had necessarily to reconsider his decision, hence the announcement that Sir Joseph Ward and himself will be leaving for London towards the end of April or the beginning of May. If only for one reason it is imperative that New Zealand should be adequately represented at the forthcoming eonierenees, and that is on account of the discussions which are certain to centre around the future of the German colonies, now held by Australia. South- Africa and New Zealand forces. Wo have had intimations recently, from various enemy sources, that Germany is seriously perturbed over the possibility of her permanent exclusion from Africa and the Pacific. Various German publicists and writers and (latest of all) “the German Union of South Sea firms” have declared that Germany must possess her own stations and trade routes, as “possession thereof involves German prestige.

politically and economically and Germany's industry and shipping.” We are told further that it is a vital matter with Germany that she should retain her colonics, and that she could not, and would not, give them up. And, with the British and American pacifists taking up the Russian cry of “No annexations and no indemnities,” there is “a very real danger that Australia, New Zealand and South Africa may find themselves severely left, when *poace terms come to bo discussed at the International Peace Conference, which will close the, war and decide th* future of the Qtsrinan colonies. Now Zealand is vitally interested in the future both of Samoa and Now Guinea, but especially of Samoa, which her forces now occupy pending the peace settlement. Australia is similarly interested in New Guinea, while the - South African Union has no wish to see her dangerous neighbours again placed in possession of German SouthEast and South-West Africa. It is New Zealand’s business to see that her claims arc adequately voiced, and that duo consideration is given to her position as regards Samoa.

SAMOA AND ITS FUTURE. The leaders of our National Cabinet both recognise ,the importance of Samoa, and arc emphatically of the opinion that, under no circumstances, should it be returned to Germany. Tho population of Upolu, Manouo and Apolinia in 1914 was 20,602, and of Savaii, 12,816, with some 600 white inhabitants (of whom 373 were Gormans and 140 British); and a Chinese population of 2083, with 1422 non-native inhabitants of mixed race. One of tho mistakes made by Great Britain in tho past was that which led to the renouncing of her rights over the (Samoa Islands in 1899, when the British population outnumbered the Germans by nearly two to one, there being 200 British, 120 Germans and 30 Americans resident on tho islands. Tho three Powers (Britain, Germany and America) kad established themselves on the islands and were guaranteeing their independence. Trouble arose when King Malietoa died in August, 1898, as the German Consul refused to recognise tho decision of tho Chief Justice, declaring Malietoa Tanu as Malietoa’s successor, the Consul supporting Mataafa’s election. The British and American Consuls accepted the decision of the Chief Justice and a Provisional Government was formed, with a German subject, Dr. Raffel, at its head. In collusion with the German Consul, the Provisional Government made Dr. Raffel Acting-Chief Justice, and the British and American Consuls objecting to this procedure, a force of bluejackets was landed from the Porpoise, who expelled Dr. Raffel and reinstated the Chief Justice, Dr. Raffel being subsequently recalled to Berlin. The British and American Consuls, in conjunction with tho naval officers, mot on board the U.S. warship Philadelphia and decided upon dismissing tho Provisional Government and sending the Mataafa chiefs back to their homes. The Gorman Consul, however, issued a counter proclamation in support of Mataafa, and his party assembling in force, barricaded tho roads, seized tho British houses and attacked Malietoa’s supporters. The town was then shelled by the ships. Some fighting followed, an Anglo-1 American force being ambushed and several officers and men killed. Finally, Germany suggested a compromise, under which each of the Powers appointed throe commissioners to examine and report' upon the condition of affairs in tho islands and temporarily take over their administration. A general disarmament followed, and Malietoa resigned the kingship, which was thereupon abolished by the Commissioners. The Chief Justice was continued in bis office, and the three Consuls, with Dr. Solf (Dr. Raffel’s successor), as adviser, were constituted a X rovisional Government. Subsequently an agreement was come to between Great Britain and Germany, whereby (subject to the approval of tho United States) Upolu and Savaii were assigned absolutely to Germany, and Tutuila and the other Samoan Islands to the United States, Germany resigning her shadowy 'rights in tho Tonga Islands, including the Vavau group and Savage Island, and handing over to Britain tho German islands of the Solomon* group, situated to tho oast and southeast of Bougainville and Buka. Tho deal was one manifestly in Germany s favour, and Britain unquestionably lost prestige in the eyes of the Samoans, through relinquishing her rights over them. Now that Samoa is again in he,- possession, Britain should seo to it that it is not again allowed to pass into the hands of tho Germans, who would assuredly use it as tho jumpingoff place against Now Zealand in the next war.