NEWS FROM SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9496, 27 April 1894, Page 5

NEWS FROM SAMOA.

'{.FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.J Apia, April 19. THE SITUATION. Since writing my last letter there has been no farther fighting, though hostilities may be resumed at any moment, arid are certain to occur sooner or later. The British, German, and American Consuls have been very actively engaged in various negotiations with the disaffected and contending factions. I cannot be said that these negotiations have resulted in the establishment of peace or the solution of our difficulties, but there is no question that but for the intervention of the Consuls the fighting would long ago have been resumed and continued with the probability of Apia itself suffering very seriously. Probably all that the Consuls expected to do was to stave off further trouble until the warships arrived, aud in this they have succeeded, as there is now one man-of-war in harbour and others are expected to arrive shortly. The Aana rebels are still in the field, aud during the last four weeks we have on several occasions been disturbed by reports that the Atua malcontents > were about to advance towards Apia. • It is currently reported, whether on good grounds or not 1 cannot say, that when all the warships which are expected arrive the forcible disarming of the natives will be attempted. It is quite certain, however, that such a measure will be bitterly opposed by all the natives, irrespective of party. There is a very general feeling here that the present trouble has sounded the knell of tripartite control, and that we may look forward to annexation by either Germany or England in the near future.

ESCAPE OF PRISONERS. Everyone here has been anticipating the escape of the political prisoners recently sentenced by the Chief Justice for sedition, and the expected event took place last Sunday evening. One of the number had absconded some time previously, and it was said that another prisoner had been sent out to catch him, but this report turned out to be incorrect. Last Sunday evening, however, a few hours after the arrival of the German warship Falke, eight of the prisoners, including Alipia, the ringleader, left the gaol, while the gaoler, Mr. Murray, was dining with Here Schmidt, President of the Council. Three of the guards absconded with them, taking four stand of arms and a quantity of ammunition. No attempt has been made to recapture them, and news has arrived that half the number went to Aana and half to Atua, where they will no doubt industriously foment discontent and rebellion. THE ROYAL PREROGATIVE. His Majesty recently claimed the right to exercise the royal prorogative of pardon, and asserted his right to extend his clemency to offenders who had been fined or imprisoned by the municipal magistrate. This claim was stoutly denied by the Municipal Council, and the King abandoned the position he had taken up so far as municipal offences are concerned. An ordinance, however, has been drafted by Chief Justice Ide, and passed by the Samoan Government, enabling the King to pardon Samoan criminals, with the consent of the Chief 3 ustice, and providing that no convict can be pardoned without this consent. This of course vests in the Chief Justice a great deal more of the royal prerogative than remains with the King himself. THE LAND COMMISSION. The Land Commission is again at a standstill, owing to the departure of Mr. W. L. Chambers, the United States representative. There an: about 500 claims to be disposed of, but they will not take long. Mr. Chambers was entertained at a banquet prior to his departure, and the function was a most successful one. While in Samoa Mr. Chambers became a thorough convert to the Laud Transfer system in vogue iu New Zealand and the other colonies. Through the kindness of the District Land Registrar of Auckland, he was supplied with a set of forms, and copies of the New Zealand Act, and very full and valuable information as to the method of working the system. He intends to do his be3t to introduce the system into his own State of Alabama. GENERAL. Mr. John Mulligan, the new United States Consul, is expected to arrive immediately. The duties of the position have been performed for a number of years by Vice-Consul Blacklock. Mr. Blacklock has evinced very great talent and energy during his tenure of office, and leaves behind him a splendid record.

An important action is pending iu the Supreme Court between Mr. E. \V. Gurr, the natives' advocate, and Herr Schmidt, in his capacity as Government Treasurer. Mr. Gurr applied to the Government for an increase of salary and obtained it, and the Treasurer was ordered by the Government tb'ptiy th« increased salary. He refused to do so. although there was money available, claiming the right; to veto the act of the Government. The Chief Justice has reserved judgment. H.I.G. M.s. Falke. arrived here from Sydney last Sunday afternoon.