THE REV. G. BROWN AND AFFAIRS IN SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8064, 4 October 1887, Page 6

THE REV. G. BROWN AND AFFAIRS IN SAMOA.

The Sydney Weekly Advocate publishes an account of an interview with the Uev. G. Brown in regard to the affairs of Samoa. Mr. Brown was in Samoa for fourteen years, and was a member of the commission ap pointed by the Wejleyan Conference to inquire into tho religious troubles iu Tonga, the duties of whioh mission indirectly led to his having visited Samoa some six weeks ago.

"At that time," said ths rev. gentleman, "everything was peaceful and quiet. Nothing of this kind was anticipated. The jealousy whioh has long existed between the followers of Malietoa and Tamasese had not broken out into open hostility. All were quietlv awaiting the result of the Conference at Washington, oallei specially for the settlement of the question as to the future occupation and government of the Samoau group. Undoubtedly Malietoa is tho acknowledged King of Samoa—acknowledged by England, Germany, and America, as well as ly the natives themselves. For so.ne years past, however, there have been quarrels between the natives who were formerly tuled over by two Malietoas; and it is only since the death of one brother that Tamasese has assumed the right of being a joint king over the group. Malietoa is king of the group by desaent and by election. He is about 30 years of age, and speaks English indifferently. Tamasese, who is a member of the wellkitowu Topua family, and has been regarded as king by a large . cumber of the natives, is a much older man, but; no more intellectual.

"The population scattered over the whole group may be estimated at 35 000. atterly the Germans, for reasons of their own, teem to ' have been remarkably friendly with Tamasese, and have now, it appears, espoused his cause by the force of arms. The friendly relations which existed between them have taken the form of official visits from the German Consul, and it was noticeable that upon the arrival of German vessels the captain* would invite him on- board— which visits would be returned—and otherwise show him attentions which would not be bestowed on the king. Tamasese was known to be working in their interests as far as his power lay. On the other hand, Malietoa was known to be very friendly disposed towards the British. For instance, he s«nt a deputation to Sir Arthur Goidon, urgently requesting that Samoa should be placed under British protection, and has several times appealed against fines and other disabilities imposed by Germans; and he has openly expressed his wish to be King of Samoa under the protection of the British Government. The Germans claim about four-fifths of the prinoipal island Opolu, where both pretenders to tho Samoan kingdom live. They also have olaims to a large part of Savaii. Actual hostilities between the two contending parties have been forbidden by the three Governments—England, America, and Germany—although it is well known that for some time past they have occupied separate forts. This recent act, therefore, must be in direct contravention of the existing agreement between the three Powers, which imolicitly forbade all war between the forces of Malietoa and Tamasese; and as a matter of faot Germany on several occasions has interposed to prevent war between them in virtue of that agreement. Unfortunately, however, the consular arrangements have been such that one consul, influenced by personal or political motives, has seoeded from that agreement.

No one oan state precisely what the actual relative positions of Malietoa's and Tama* sese's forces would be in the event of an outbreak of hostilities between them, as, according to Samoan customs very many natives only declare their opinions and feelings, and, therefore,their allegiance, after war has commenced. Many, for iuatanoe, would remain with Malietoa or Tamasese up to the point or even after the outbreak of war and change sides upon a moment's reflection. Loyalty, in the sense that we regard it, does uot exist among the Samoans. The slightest accident would induce them to desert the cause to which they bad been attached, and ally themselves to the opposite parties. As an illustration, one might remembar that he was in some way related to another fighting .against him, and one or the other would for that reason transfer his allegiauce. It must not be understood, however, that the Samoans are . not capable and willing warriors. They are a fine race of men, physically and intellectually superior to the Fijians and most of the surrounding Polynesian tribes. Weapons have beeu supplied to them from time to time by foreign traders, although now and then agreements have been made between , the three Powers interested in the islands to prohibit the sale of firearms, but they have been as regularly broken as made. The consequence has been that the Samoans have parted with large tracts of their land in the acquirement of these weapons of civilisation, and a large number of them are now armed with rifles of the most perfect modern patterns, and are also well qualified to use them. In the interests of commerce, it is no doubt desirable that some strong efficient government should be introduced into Samoa in place of these warlike parties, who can only be kept from eaoh other's throats by the intervention of some superior power. But it seems difficult to imagine how it is that Germany, in the face of an agreement existing between the three great interested nations, shoald now commence hostilities in her own name, •specially as we are not informed of any agreement having been conoluded at the Conference now taking place at Washington. (here are three consuls stationed at Samoa, representing respectively England, Germany, and America ; but Mr. Symons, the British Consul, owing to his serious i'lness, is now at Tonga, and it is evident that the American Consul could not have known of any agreement being conoluded at Washington from the invitation he has given to the British and American subjects to place themselves and their property under his care. It is obvious also that it was never anticipated that the Conference at Washington would ever sanction the commencement of hostilities between the forces of the two native kings ; and it seems to me that the British and United States Governments have serious cause of offence in the fact that this action has been taken while the Conference at Washington is, so far as we know, yet sitting.

"The latest advices we have received are to the effect that the proceedings of the Conference have not terminated—certainly, so far as we know, no resul a have been arrived at. Surely if this important matter has been settled meanwhile the Australian Governments should have been made fully acquainted with it. i am rather curious to kuow how this action will be regarded by our rather vaoillatmg Imperial Government. At any rate it will be some proof to them that we in Australia have gauged the actual intentions of Germany with regard to Samoa as truly as we did her intentions with regard to the occupation of New Guinea.

"It would also be interesting to know what effeot this coup d'etat will have on the New Hebrides question, on whioh our opinions have been equally decisively expressed and as completely ignored. In this matter, as iu others, we have i>ot met with the consideration from the home Government that wo deserved.

"1 really think that the German Government intend to place themselves permanently in Samoa, and it may be that they have truly anticipated that the decision of tho Conference at Washington would not bo as favourable to their plans tie they wished, and in that anticipation they have taken time by the forelock. There is little doubt that the Germans fear if the Sainoan Group be taken by any other Government many of their large land claims will not be acknowledged. I can say this without at all passing judgment upon the validity or otherwise of these claims, It is well known that the principal traders down there for some years have been the German Plantation Company, That company took over the trading businens of Messrs, Godeffroys, Ruge, and Co,, and afterwards that of Messrs. Macarthur and Co., of Sydney, besides the businesses of a number of smaller British and American traders. So you see we have in Samoa to deal with a large German land company having extensive ramifications, and in many other respects similar to the French trading company in the New Hebrides, which appear to be a great stumbling block against the removal of the French troops from those islands. Mr. Webber, who is the manager of the German Plantation and Trading Company, is, 1 believe, at present in Washington. He is not a member of the Conference, but be is there to give evidence aud all information respecting Germany's position in Samoa. The Conference is, I understand, composed of Sir J. B. Thurston, tho acknow-

lodged representative of Great Britain in the Pacific, the Consul-General of Germany in Australia, and an American delegate appointed there. "It must be apparent to the Australasian peoples now that an impression has gone abroad amongst the ruling nations of the earth that they can do what they like toward* the occupation of territory in the Paoi6j, and England will be disinclined to resent it. In this particular case, however, the unwarranted conduct of Garmany, amounting as it does to a flagrant breach of national treaty, is an insult to the United States which is not likely to pass unchallenged. Although America's trade in the Samoan Groups is not extensive, she has accepted a position of responsibility there, and has deemed her shire of the commerce of sufficient importance to place a, resident consul there ; and the fact that the present Conference is being held in her political capital indicates that some value is at tached by America to the advancement of oivilisa tion and commerce in these islands, which have long been looked upon as the great centre of Polynesia. Their occupation by one Power is now imminent, and German annexation will mean a complete monopoly of German interest. Although the expansion of German commerce has been very rapid, of late years, it is well to remember that the London Missionary Society and the Wesleyan missionaries wore the pioneers of civilisation in the group, and that the opening up of trade in this quarter of the Pacific was entirely due to British enterprise and British perseverance "