SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 340, 6 February 1889, Page 5

SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

Nothing additional with reference t j Samoan affairs has transpired since our last j issue. We publish a sketch of Apia and Harbour, in order to give ou v readers some idea of the scene of strife. The point on the loft is Mulinuu Point, where Tamasese's followers were concentrated up till the time that they i were compelled to seek other quarters in consequence of some insult to the Ameri- , can flag there. The British, American, | and German Consulates are plainly marked, as are also the stores occupied by the principal traders. Mataafa's encampment, j which was described in our last issue as a very strong; position, will be seen in the ' background, being on the banks of a small creek, with bush and mountainous country beyoDd. The Gorman warships areanehored on one sido of the harbour, as marked, and the British and American warships are on the opposite side. It will be seen that the Germans could not shell Mataafa's encampment without firing over the town. The spot where Mataafa's people were shelled on a previous occasion is some tour miles down the coast, and the first battle was fought in the township near Knge's store, close to which Captain Bissetb was killed. The German fortifications extend for some distance a'ong Mulinuu Point. — "Auckland Star." Washington, January 30. In the Senate to-day, i\lr John Sherman accused Great Britain of coinciding with Germany in respect to Samoan affairs. The newspapers are publishing Prince Bismarck's charges against the American Consul at Samoa of inciting tho natives against Iho Germans, and also Mr Bayard's charges of a similar nature against the German Consul with regard to America. A resolution has been submitted to the House of Representatives requesting President Cleveland to insist on Germany restoring Samoa to the same condition as preceding the Washington Conference, and also aid in seeming a responsible native government for the group. Berlin, February 1. The " Berliner Zeitung " explains that proclaiming a state of war in the Samoan Islands was to prevent any foreign Power arming the rebels. The proposal of Prince Bismarck is that the Conference on the Samoan difficulty should take ])lace in Beilin, The Senate has passed a vote of ioo,ooodols. for the improvement of Pango Pango Harbour, The debate was decidedly bellicose against Germany. Hobart, February 1. The Federal Council have forwarded to His Excellency an address on Pacific affairs, with a request that he will cable to the Secretary of State asking that copies of all treaties relating to Pacific Islands should be sent out, and urging the conclusion of additional treaties guaranteeing the independence of Samoa and Tonga. They quote the resolution passed at the Sydney Conference in 1 888, to the effect that further annexations in the Pacific by foreign Powers would be detrimental to the interests of the Empire. Washington, February 1. Senators belonging to both parties in the House show feelings of irritation at German aggression at Samoa. Prince Bismarck, in his communications with Secretary Bayard, expresses a desire for a fresh basis of parleying, and will not consent to resume the Conference at Washington. It is stated that German operations at Samoa are delayed till reinforcements arrive there. Hob art, January 31. At to-day's sitting of the Federal Conference, a committee was appointed to prepare an address for presentation to Her Majesty the Queen, dealing with Pacific questions. The Hon. A. Deakin, Chief Secretary of Victoria, in moving for the committee, said that the foreign annexation of Samoa would be detrimental to the interests of Australasia. Samoa had, he said, been selected as one of the Pacific stations, and both New South Wales and New Zealand had sub-

sfcanfcial interests in the trade in that island. If Germany annexed the Samoan ftroup, then Fiji would be hemmed between French and German possessions. Germany, he added, supported their interests, but the English, Australians, and Americans only sympathised with their nationalities. The American Government, however, had tho spirit to defend Samoa, and this Council, he thought, was justified in demanding 1 that the neutrality of the group be presened. Berlin, January 31. Prince Bismark proposes that another Conference on Samoan affairs should be held at Washington.