SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9423, 22 July 1889, Page 5

SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

■ THE BERLIN CONFERENCE, THE TREATY SIGNEt). THE AUTONOMY OF ThU GROUP ASSURED. [FROM OUR OWN CORItteSPONdENT.) London, June 15* During the fortnight there have been rumours of little hitches occurring in connection with the proceedings of the Sainoan Conference, but all is well that, ends well, and to-day's telegrams from Berlin state that a complete agreement on all debated points has now been arrived at, and the final Act of the Samoaii Conference, yesterday afternoon, signed by the delegates of all the three Powers. Mr. l'helps, one of the , American delegates, has set out for Washington, taking with him the text of the final Atft, while Count Herbert Bismarck has left Berlin for a three weeks' holiday, so the proceedings of the Conference have come to a close. Such differences of opinion as have occurred during the deliberations of the delegates Have arisen between the German and American representatives. It has been the desire of England to refrain from obtruding her own views, but to agree to anything which commended itself to the other two Powers. The Conference has, therefore, been of the nature of ft duel between the United States and. Germany, and the former have scored a marked triumph, In effect, Germany haS been fain to abandon nearly every position she took up. and America has had matters almost entirely her own way. It is not therefore surprising to learn from Washington that the United States Ministers regard the treaty as eminently satisfactory. The treaty which baa just been drawn up guarantees the autonomous administration of the Samoan Islands, under the joint control of Germany and the United States, Great Britain acting as arbitrator in the event of any (inferences arising. The Samoans will eleet their own king and viceroy, and will be represented by a Senate composed of the principal chiefs, and a Chamber elected by the people. Samoa will have the right of levying duties of every description, and the treaty also stipulates that the Germans shall receive a money indemnity for their losses. For the settlement of the land question a special Court will be appointed. It is understood that Malietoa will be reinstated as king of Samoa, mid the ehUHR quo of his reign will be pretty well restored on the principle that the Saiiioans shall be left iva much ah possible to manage their own affairs, with the exception that the importation of firearms and intoxicating liijuors shall be subject to certain restrictions. The municipal government; of Apia, whore most of the foreigners in the islands live, will be as before, under the control of the Consuls representing the three interested Powers. With respect to the monarchy as a whole, questions affecting the lives and property of foreigners are to be under the care of a judge, who, uncording to circumstances, may be an Englishman, an American, or a German.

The treaty, which was signed yesterday, will not be put in force at once, because it will have to be ratified by the Senate of the United States, As this cannot take place until December, the status quo will be maintained in the islands until that time. The Berlin correspondent ot the London Times says :•—'' The Americans have undoubtedly emerged from the Samoan Conference with flying colours. Germany line to content herself with much less political iiredotninnnce in Samoa than she claimed at Washington two years ago. The result is much more due to the firm and inexorable attitude of Blaine than to any politic leanings of England toward the 1 ower which it i* lie- highest aim to conciliate." The Times, in mi editorial on the Samoan agreement, says :—" Perhaps it is i\s well that Prince Bismarck has been made to realise that where American interests are concerned the American (iovernment is very little an'ected by many of those considerations which restrain the action of those European Governments with which lie is more accustomed to deal. It is easy to see that there might be many reasons why it might be expedient for Kngland to follow the line of policy in regard to German action in Samoa which it is natural and necessary for America to pursue. It is not fhe less plain that even Germany must think twice or thrice before provoking a collision with America over such a quofstion. Therefore we rejoice at the influence of America, so moderately and effectually exerted.""

[FROM orjt OWN CORBKSPOIs'DE.N'T.] San Francisco, June 29. This treaty is the first made by the present Administration, and it is expected to demonstrate its policy in relation to American interests. As a consequence, greater secrecy is to be maintained regarding it, and full consideration was given it before the American Coinmissiodets were allowed to consent to its ratification. It is understood that the first draft of the treaty, as outlined by the Commissioners, was pretty generally satisfactory to the Administration, and that there has been none of the hesitation attributed to Mr. Blatuc by the press. Few changes h:i\'e been made, the only com federation givi»r» being to the demands made by Germany for additional privileges in the islands. A few of the concessions asked were granted, but it may be stated upon absolutely perfect authority that the United States has maintained the purpose with which it started, and that: the Satnoun Islands' Government is to-day closer to thn United States and stronger in its autonomy than ever before. Competent authority asserts that the American Government has gained all that it demanded.

ft was understood in oflieial circles in Hnrlin that it is not of the slightest importance to Germany who reigns in Samoa. The chief point which the German delegates hud to (■(insider was that, proper provision be made for the safety of the lives and property of lioi'inaii subjects in those islands and that proper safeguards be secured for the protection of Herman interests. This has been done in a lhsuiiier entirely satisfactory to the German Government. The Knglisli end of the Conference has licoii mainly to stand by Germany, though British colonial interests have not'been disregarded. A 1.11 FT TO MATAAKA. Ju recognition of the valuable services rendered by King Mataafa in saving life and property on the occasion of the hurricane in .Samoa, the United States Navy Department Imm decided upon sending him a whaleboat of the latest improved model. It will be clinker build, of the finest material and fittings. It will lie built at. the navy yard at Mare Island, and when completed will be sent to King Mi> fa, accompanied by an autograph letter from President Harrison, testifying in the highest possible manner to the brave: exhibited by Mataafa and his men in rescuing so many American sailors. The boat will be accompanied to Apia by a committee of the surviving officers, It is expected that the party will leave California about the middle of August. OTHKR NOTKS. It is thought that ex-Consul • General ■Sewell will be re-appointed to Samoa, and thiit he will return there in the U.S.S. Adams.

Til'. Samotin treaty is said to be a short short one of only s>001) words; yet so many points were in dispute that it took nine days to cable the text to Washington, and make emendations, and get the document ready for signature. 'Jhe disposition of the wrecks of the Vandalia and Trenton destroyed at Apia has been under consideration by the Navy Department. Admiral Kiinberly has recommended that the ships bo abandoned, and it is likely that they will be. The Government has also behaved in a very peculiar manner to the Oceanic Steamship Company. When Lieutenant Wilson went to Sydney to arrange for the tranportation of the men to San Francisco he received ii bid from the American company, which lie considered to be too hij.h. It was reduced to meet his views and accepted. On the following day he cried oft' the bargain, aim chiirt'.tred the Ruck ton at an additional cost of 12,000 dollars. The accommodation for, and treatment of the men on the Rookton was disgraceful. She was paid, however, all demands in full before she left San Francisco, but the Navy Department informs the Oceanic Company that there are no funds with which to pay for the passage of the 40 men who were brought up a month earlier by the Alameda, and that the company cannot obtain their money until a special appropriation has been passed by Congress. Both the American steamship owners and the American sailors—7o per cent of whom, by the way, were foreigners—are being moat unfairly dealt with, and people are beginning to. think that the American Government Would do well to deal honestly and fairly with its own citizens before interfering with islanders iii the South Pacific.