THE The New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1888.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9172, 29 September 1888, Page 4

THE The New Zealand Herald. AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1888.

The news from Samoa which we published yesterday is, in respect to the contest between the two bodies of natives followers of Malietoa and of Tamasese —exactly what we might have anticipated from previous advices. But there are several remarkable points in connection with the behaviour of the Germans. They have all along been opposed to Malietoa, and have for years professed to believe that his rule was unpopular amongst the natives, and that Tamasese would be the most suitable per -mi to make King >' >amoa, It

may be easily understood that in a place like the Samoan group there is a difficulty in constituting any one chief supreme. Europeans in their intercourse with these islands find it necessary to have one head, to whom they can appeal in all cases. In return for this convenience they aid him to extend and consolidate his power. There may be several chiefs all nearly on a level ; the one selected is made king, and his power is recognised by the Europeans. The others are repressed till they be- j come mere shadows of what they once were. The British and Americans, after full examination, decided that Malietoa was the man who had the best title to be recognised as chief ruler of Samoa. The Germans endeavoured to set up Tamasese, imagining, apparently, that it would suit them best to have a rival to Malietoa, and that if they could put their puppet on the throne they would have things in Samoa all their own way. They made a very determined movement. They captured Malietoa and removed him by force from the islands ; they installed Tamasese as King, and they compelled the Samoans to swear allegiance to him. But a change seems to have come over this disposition. Malietoa has been taken on a tour to Europe ; he has been released from anything like durance, and the Germans have given him a trip back to Samoa. He will go down to the islands from Sydney on the next trip of the Lubeck. In the meantime, his followers select Matafa, a nephew of Malietoa, as their leader, and completely route the Tamasese party. Amidst ail this, we are told that the Germans take no part in the matter beyond protecting : the property of German residents. This would seem to show a change of policy on the part of Germany. When by force of arms they removed Malietoa and placed Tamasese on the throne, they surely, by these very acts, pledged themselves to maintain him there. When they removed Malietoa, in order that he might not be a disturbing influence to Tamasese and themselves, they must have seen that it was imperative they should keep him away for some years at all events. They must have known that his return would be the signal for an outbreak. And if Malietoa's party can establish a superiority now, what will be the result when that monarch steps on shore again at Apia 1 The Germans can hardly avoid in this case suffering an enormous loss of prestige over the whole Pacific. It is known that they have endeavoured to set up Tamasese, and now they have most conspicuously failed. But it may be that the Germans are only waiting. We ate told that five German men-of-war are expected at Apia, and it may be that the Germans are holding back so as to have an overwhelming force at hand to restore Tamasese to rule.

It would appear that there is no imputation that the British or Americans have been acting so as to excite action on the part of Malietoa's followers. The outbreak is quite spontaneous 011 the part of the natives, who have simply revolted against a ruler whom they do not want, and who has been imposed on them by foreigners for their own purposes. Much indignation was caused throughout these colonies at the action of the Germans when they violently interfered, and also at the tameness with which the English Government acquiesced in what was done. It is to be hoped, however, that the British Government will see to it that there is no further intervention, that the Samoans shall be allowed to choose their own ruler, and that he shall be recognised by the Powers. For all the blood that has been shed, Germany is responsible, and it is now clear that further interference will only lead to more bloodshed.