SAMOAN NEWS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1453, 12 January 1886, Page 3

SAMOAN NEWS.

By the arrival of the mail steamer Mariposa from Sun Francisco via Samoa, alarming intelligence was received of recent events in connection with the long standing dispute between the German Trading Company and the followers of King Malietoa. The news, which is derived from undoubted sources, is to the effect that the King has been driven from his residence at Mulmuri Point by a strong force from a German ship, he, in pursuance of his usual policy of nonresistaace, only averting bloodshed by withdrawing. The English and American Consuls at Apia have strongly protested against the action of the Germans, and the natives have made an urgent appeal for British protection. Two Samoan natives (Opohi and Sewmann) have arrived by the Mariposa, and are the bearers of letters to the Government and the Hon. the Attorney-General, which they intend to present in person at Wellington. One of the above gentlemen is a representative chief, and the other, who speaks English with fluency and correctness, is his adviser. From a gentleman who has just arrived from Samoa, we glean the following particulars of affairs:—On the 31st December last Webber, head of the German firm, warned the natives that as they had failed to pay the rent demanded by him for their occupation of land at Mulmuri they would have to leave. (Mulmuri is a point where King Malietou’s settlement is, and where on account of the land claimed by the German firm the Imperial flag of Germany has been floating for more than a year past). The natives offered two years’ rent, but Webber declined it. They further offered to purchase the land, and said that they had ready money to pay for it, but Webber refused any terms, and insisted on them leaving. In order to avoid bloodshed King Malietoa resolved to leave the disputed land, and accordingly the natives, with their chattels, removed to land belonging to one of the chiefs, nearer to Apia, where the King’s flag was hoisted. This seemed only to make the Germans more aggressive. The German Consul called and asked the King to haul the flag down, which the latter refused to do. Thereupon the Consul ordered ashore a part of the crew of the German warship Albatross some three or four hundred in number, and ordered them to haul the flag down. To this the natives offered no resistance, acting on the advice ot Lieutenant Powell, the British Consul, who foresaw that the sole result of the opposition would be the massacre of the natives by the German sailors and marines. Along with the United States Consul, Lieutenant Powell lodged a strong protest against the arbitrary proceedings of the Germans, and it is believed they will make urgent representations on the subject to their respective Governments. The native delegation to New Zealand have been seat by King Malietoa to press upon the Government of the colony the necessity for protection against German aggression, and they will, it is understood, urge that a British warship be at once despatched to the spot.