THE CRISIS IN SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9186, 16 October 1888, Page 6

THE CRISIS IN SAMOA.

THE GERMAN CONSUL AND MATAAFA.

TAMASESE'S PARTY ON SHORT SUPPLIES.

ALLEGED GERMAN PROTECTORATE.

WOMEN FIRED UPON.

ARRIVAL OF BRITISH WARSHIPS. [from our own correspondent.] Apia (Samoa), 2nd October, ISSS. ACTION OF THE GERMAN CONSUL. Since my letter to you about a fortnight ago, there has not been much change in the position of affairs. Tamasese and his followers are still shut up on the small peninsula of Mulinuu, where they are under the protection of the guns of the German gunboat, and those of the fort the Germans have built and manned there. Malietoa Mataafa has his headquarters on Matautu Point, just on the opposite side of the bay. A few davs after the defeat of Tamasese's forces, the German Consul requested a personal interview with Mataafa, which the latter granted. Mataafa, however, considered it judicious to ask the British and United States Consuls to be present as well, but the German Consul hearinc this would not go unless he was heard alone. The Samoan version of what passed at that meeting was to the following effect. The German Consul said he could now see that Malietoa Mataafa was the choice of the greater part of Samoa, and that he would notify his Government of that fact. He said he could not acknowledge him as king until he received instructions from his Government. In the meantime he must protect Tamasese and his ling, a. thing he is effectually doing by surrounding it with German troops. He also' asked Malietoa to agree to the principal part of Apia being considered neutral territory, where no one would be allowed to carry arms. He wished to exclude Mulinuu Point, for there he had to keep Tamasese and his forces; but no firing would be permitted from there unless they were attacked. Malietoa, after consideration, agreed to this, although I am told he considered he was doing so to his own disadvantage. SHORT OF FOOD AND WATER. Tamasese's people being shut up in the Mulinuu like a rat in a trap, are very hard up for provisions and water. They have sent out some small skirmishing parties on a foraging expedition, which has led to some small rights in which Tamasese lost a few more of his men. Malietoa has been largely recruited within the last fortnight, and the whole of Savaii are said to have either joined or are about to join them. There can be no doubt as to the relative strength and fighting qualities of the two parties. Were the Germans to withdraw from protecting Tamasese on Mulinuu, I believe the war would be over in less than a week, because a large number that would join Malietoa at once are prevented from doing so by German declarations that as soon as the fleet comes they will declare war on Malietoa Mataafa. A NOTIFICATION FROM MATAAFA. Although in possession of the town of Apia Malietoa has notified the officials that he will not interfere with them in the meantime in the discharge of their duties, as he does not want to put foreigners to any inconvenience through the action they have in self-defence been compelled to take. A GERMAN THREAT. Two days ago the German Consul sent word to Malietoa that as German property on a plantation called Vaitele was being interfered with, he demanded that all Malietoa's people should withdraw from that locality at onco or he would immediately declare war on him. It would appear as if the German Consul in Samoa carries an Imperial declaration of war in his pocket, ready to be filled up and used when considered necessary. Malietoa replied that, according to his information, they were not German pigs that were shot by his people, but pigs belonging to men who were fignting against him. To move his men as desired, would give Tamasese an opportunity to come out and forage for food when his object was to surround and starve him into submission He further told the German Consul that it was his action in defending Tamasese that was endangering German property. If he turned him off German Tana, and withdrew from him the protection of German marines, no German property would be in anywise molested. He J could not help it if the German Consul declared war on him, but if he did, he must warn him that German property would no longer be respected by him and his people. After consulting with his chiefs, I hear that Malietoa has consented to withdraw part of his men from the locality mentioned, but that if any of Tamasese's men come out and take possession of the position he has temporarily left, he will at once concentrate his men and attack them. I believe the whole talk of declaring war is simply a piece of German bounce, and done for the purpose of strengthening the hands of Tamasese's party. The German Consul's action throughout the whole affair has been moat inexplicable. If he was determined to protect the Tamasese Government why did he not state boldly that Germany "would make war on any one that made war on Tamasese, and the revolution would certainly have been nipped in the bud. Becauee however averse the samoans may be to be ruled over by Tamasese, they would never have thought of rebelling against his tyranny if they knew that he was to be backed by Germany. ALLEGED GERMAN PROTECTORATE. It now appears that Germany has a protectorate, or assumed one, and yet such a position has never been conceded to her by the other two Powers interested. They do not openly fight for their puppet king, but they place him and his soldiers on German soil, they build a fort round his flag there, they man it with German troops, and they tell Malietoa Mataafa that if you come to attack Tamasese and his people, or pull down his flag, we will fire into you. This is what tney officially call protecting German proparty, apparently ignoring the fact that Tamasese has his seat of government built and his flag flying there. On the score of humanity they may have the right to protect the person of Tamasese, but on what international principle can they justify their action in defending his government and his flag I am afraid they will trump up some flimsy excuse for making war on Mataafa, and thus keep the man in power over whom they have so much control. The feelings of the people have no part in German considerations. Their whole policy in the past in Samoa has been most discreditable to them as a great nation, and I have no hope that in the future we will see any improvement. As for England, we have given her up in despair. BRITAIN'S INACTION AND RESULTS. The time was when if a disturbance of this kind took place, the first thing that wan anxiously looked for and expected was a British man-of-war, but now you never hear a Britisher ask after one, and this for two reasons: they, in the first place, know that one is not likely to be sent if it can possibly be avoided, and that if one did come the captain might have instruction not to interfere in any way, but to observe and report. When the troubles were on here about twelve months ago, the presence of a man-of-war was earnestly requested. The British Government replied that the German Government had given them the most positive assurances that the person and property of British subjects would be protected and respected. And what took place '! The very first act of war the Germans committed was a violation of that promise. The first house they seized was British property, which house they removed by force in the face of a protest by the British Consul. And how have their promises been kept in regard to the persons of Britisuers? They are responsible for putting Tamasese on the throne against the wish of the majority of the people, and consequently are responsible for the present 'civil -war. _ It was Germany that abolished the municipality and neutral territory. It was the German Consul that refused to have neutral territory when it was offered by Malietoa Mataafa before bringing his soldiers to fight the Tamaseso men, who were entrenched in the town. And the result is that a Britisher, Captain Bissett, was shot dead on the step of Mr. Hetherington's verandah. Who is responsible for poor Bissett's death? I will leave others to judge, but that either Britain or Germany is responsible for the state of things that exist here at the present I think no one can deny. I must exonerate the United States entirely from blame—theif's has been a straightforward course throughout, and had Mr. Bayard's proposals been carried out, we would not now be under the necessity of recording a fierce civil war in Samoa. A COWARDLY ACT: WOMEN FIRED AT. Since writing the above, I have just heard that yesterday, after Malietoa had withdrawn his men from the position complained of, some of Tamasese's men, accompanied by German marines, came out from Mulinuu Point, and took up a position in the neighbourhood of the 1). H. and P. G. premises. Three women, seeing them coining, fled, and were fired upon, two being shot dead, I hear, and one wounded. The Germans say the . SunioaiiH shot the women, and the Siunoans say r.he Germans did it. In aIJ past S.amoau wars women have always been allowed to go I unmolested, but as lamascse's men have 1

been under Gorman tuition of late, this may be a new departure from their old war customs. I find that the women I mentioned as having been shot were really not hit, although there were upwards of 50 shots fired at them. ARRIVAL OF BRITISH WARSHIPS. Tho Calliope and Lizard, with Admiral Fairfax ou board, came into Apia harbour about eleven o'clock this morning. The natives were quite overjoyed to find that it was a British and not a German squadron that had come. What the result of the Admiral's visit will be remains to be seen. The natives are pleased to think that the British Government have not quite forgotten them.

We take the following items from the Samoa Times :— We have just received intelligence that 43 houses were burned down last week at Leulumooga by a Savaii contingent of Mataafa's army, one of the houses Being Taniasese's principal residence. It is reported that the act was a retaliation for the burning of their town by the German ship of war Olga, last year. Our storekeepers are all feeling the effects of the nativo disturbance. They report to us that their business has fallen off more than 50 per cent, since the commencement of the outbreak. The natives are hoarding their money for the purchase of guns and ammunition solely, ana if affairs are settled it will be a considerable time before trade will improve. Some of the native towns being wrecked and burned down, they will be in an impoverished state for many months. Since the fight of September 12 both parties have been adding to their numbers. Tamasese and his army confining themselves strictly to Mulinuu Point,which point is occupied by marines from H.I.M.s. Adler, and of course safe from any attempt being made on it by Mataafa men." Several boats sent up country to towns still favourable to Tamasese, to procure food, were fired upon but no damage done until Monday last, wnen one of Tam<asese's supply boats ventured out alone, and unfortunately for them came within reach of some of Mataafa's boat guns. A sharp fire was opened by Mataafa men, and four of the occupants of Tamasese's boat were shot, two of them dying almost immediately and the other two at night. This part of the battle was observed by our reporter. All kinds of reports are continually being brought in of other encounters, but we are not in a position to verify them.