GERMANY AND TONGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12402, 26 October 1903, Page 6

GERMANY AND TONGA.

Sir,—l seo by your Parliamentary report that the Government intends to inquire as to whether there is any foundation for the rumoured annexation, or intended annexation, of Tonga., by Germany. In view of the agreement arrived at between Germany and Great Britain when Samoa was partitioned between Germany and the United States, this rumour appears to bo a ridiculous canard. Article 2 of the Convention which was made on November 14, 1899, runs as follows: — Germany renounces in favour of Great Britain all her rights in the Tongan Islands, including Vavau. and over Savage Island, including the right of establishing a naval and coaling station." There is no reason to suppose that there have been any recent negotiations between Germany and tho British Government respecting Tonga, and the imaginative individual who originated the rumour, was -probably ignorant of tho terms'; of the Convention. It may be that the canard was circulated by .some who are anxious for British , annexation, thinking that . such a rumour might possibly hasten such an event. Of course, Tonga, being an independent State, might request Germany or any other Power to annex her, but wo have had no intelligence of such a step being contemplated, and even if such a request wore made it is scarcely conceivable that it would be complied with, without the knowledge and consent of the British Government.l am, etc., Wll.' CoorEß. Avondale South. :