SAMOAN CONFERENCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4533, 7 May 1889, Page 2

SAMOAN CONFERENCE.

« rPKRELBOTRIO TELEGRAPH— Coi'TOISHT,] (Pi:u Press Association.) (Kocoivod 1-J. 10 p.m., May (Hli.) Bkhlin, May 5. Tlio Sumoan Commission has ascertained that tho lond claims exceed tlio total area of tlio whole island. Mr Sowoll and Herr Braridcrs havo both been attonding Iho sittings. Tlio Emporor will formally recoivo tho delogates nftor his return froru Kiel. iUocoivod ] p.m., Slny <;ili.). A Wliito liook has beon published, containing despatchos from Dr Knappe, formorly Gorman Consul at Samoa, in which ho condomna tho unwarrantable hoisting of tho Amorican and British flags ovor liuto and land belonging to iiiitivun, wlio pledged uoiuu lauds claimed by Ueriiniiia fur iirma and uiumuuiliou Tho holders, therefore, wore ijuito justilied in hoisting thoir own national flag. Dr Ktiappo aldo elatos that Captain Ilaudb of tho Dritiuh cruisor Koyaliot, declared that he could not support the claims m»do

I for the possession of this hypothecated land. An American firm had for years imported handkerchiefs bearing the national colours and portraits of the Presidents, and since tho outbreak theoa had been hoisted recklessly over houses and huts in all directions. Considerable excitement was caused iu Berlin by tho inopportune publication of these despatches. . (Received li'.OO a.m., May 7tb.) \ _ May C. The Samoan Conference hold its second meeting on Saturday, and received tho report of tho sub-committee appointed to consider the land question. It is understood that the report waß considered satisfactory, and another sub-committee was appointed to consider the future form of government of the islands. It is expected that the Samoans will be asked to elect their own, but it is anticipated that the question of foreign control of thoir ruler will be likely to raise considerable difficulty. (SreciAi to Press Association.) (Received T.40 p.m., May 6ch.) Berlin, May 5. The sub-committee appointed by the : Samoan Conference has agreed upon a basis of settlement, and it is hoped that the conference will terminate in a week. The German Consul, Dr Knappe, in his published despatch, attacks the American Bailors, and asserts that Mataafa ordered his followers to abstain from rescuing the Germans during the disas--3 trous storm in March.