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Samoa Times and South Sea Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 2, 6 October 1888, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SAMOA TIMES. Sir,—Now that there ia a pnper started in Samoa then ia an opportunity for every one who has watched and taken tho trouble to atudy the intricate and peculiar progress of Baraoan polities to express his opinion boldly and openly before the world. If his opinions are worth anything then it ia his doty to give hit Wlowa the benefit of them- And as questions

of this kind must be looked at from many points of view the mora people that can be got to observe, think and express themselves thereon the more likely are we to arrive at a just conclusion. With this apology to you and your readers for occupying so much of your space and their time, I will proceed to (rive you my opinion of the present position of affairs. Everyone who is not wilfully blind must see that at present there is really no Government in Samoa. What has been looked upon as the Government for the last twelve months, has since the Hturting of this lust revolution ceased to be in the position to perform the iir*t functions of a Government, namely, to protect life and property. I will not dio'-uss nor attempt to say what has led to the late revolution. Some people might be inclined to call it a rebel, lion, but in a country like this where the Government is supposed to represent the voice of the majority of the people. If the majority are found in opposition then that should be the Government, and the minority should be classed as the rebels. In a country where tne majority rules, that majority coull never be looked upon rebels. It must be evident to any one who has watched th» course of events for the lost month, that the present de/acto Samoan Government ore in a hopeless minority, and that their flag or Government could not stand for forty eight hours wore it not for the German protiou nflon'.ed them. On what grounds the German Consul justifies the. position he has taken up I am at a loss to imagine, because it was never no less than an opeulv established protectorate and that in the face of the most solemn: promise* tn other Great Powers interested that such would not be done without their knowledge and consent. I understand that the German Consul states that he is id m ply protecting German property; but is the Tamasese flag and the Tamasese Government House German property. It has been Smerally believed that the Tamasese overnment had leased the Mmlintt Point from the D.H.T.P. Co., because people could not b*tt«v«<ttttU ifa? responsible advisers of that Government could he »• idiotic as -to raise their flag and put up buddings thai mist have cost some thousands of doll are en land that they had no claim to whatever. No man or body of ineo could be trusted with, the baid earned money of oil people if either through stupidity or rascality they sacrificed the public funds in that manner. Now, if the Samoan Government have a li' M.i of that Point, and I can hardly think that under circumstances thoy are such fools as not to have the German right to protect it as German property ceases except ho far-as to see that the trees are not out down or the soil curried away. J, think there can be no doubt that according to the reoguisrd rules of war Malietoa, would be perfectly justified in attacking Mulinu. As the armed camp of Tamasese, and looking on the German action in defending Tamasese's flag as throwing themselvesepen to justifiable retaliation, for which they could have no lawful redress. There can be no doubt that Malietoa has shown the greatest consideration for foreigners and r.on-oombatants ever since the war commenced. Before he attaoked the j for* that the Tamasese forces had been I allowed to erect between the towns he I wrote to the three Consuls asking them i if they wished to have neutral territory around Apia, and if so to define the boundaries and drive all armed men ont, and he would respect it and eee £u at t WI J? ? ot Ti , oUto « V hi* marines. The English and United States Qonsuls were anxious to have neutral territory declared, but tne German Consul distinctly refused, and since he could not agree to neutral territory, the result being peaceful absence of all the nationalities have their lives and proparties placed in the greatest danger, bSSa?"' Now that there is a British Admiral here it u to be hoped that he veal! succeed in making suo'i arrangement as to prevent any recurrence of the events ef the last thre> wee*s. I am imormed that MalieUu

is •till willing to pant neutral territory, and to withdraw hit torae« jbro▼ided that Tamaaeee U oompelWd to do the same. Thia ia only common fairneat, and if it bo true, aa stated by tha German ooneulato in Samoa, that Tamaaeae renresSnts four-fifths olths whale of Samoa, he surety should not be afraid to eorae out of hia hole and tackle the one-fifth that they represent aa all the followers of Malietoa. Whatever the result of the present struggle may he it is quite evident that Tamaaeae and his advisers can no, longer rnle Samoa. Germany may continue bolstering him up, hut I ahonld think that the wise heads who rule Germany will eventually come to the conclusion, that running a king in Samoa against the wishes of the people, and for sole benefit of a commercial firm is a proceeding that will neitherlighten the burden of taxes on their people; no, nor briug honor to their soldiers. So far m I have able to judge the Samoan would he well satisfied and nisely governed by a Government that had the sanction and support of all the three Great Powers; but they are suspicious and rightly so, of the sole control of their lives and properties being placed in the hands of one of tho»e powers whose interests appear to beantagonistio to their own. However matters may be settled, they ought to be definitely settled noon in one direction or another. The state of turmoil that has existed in Samoa for the last 16 years is a disgrace to the throe Great Powers inter eeted, and who are solelv through their meddling responsible for the preseut state of affairs.—Yours, &c.

As Observer.