SAMOA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6482, 27 February 1889, Page 4

SAMOA.

ADMIE4.L FAIRFAX AND CAPTAIN HAND INTERVIEWED. f [Pra Pbess Association.] AUCKLAND, Fbb. 26. Admiral Fairfax was interviewed to-day -by a Press reporter. In a reply to enquiries the Admiral stated that he had enjoyed his trip South very much ; he had inspected all the harbours, and he had "visited the Sounds. These latter he considered magnificent, and expressed himself highly: d alighted with -his fortnight's visit to them. Politics were then touched upon, and the reporter endeavoured to obtain; Admiral Fairfax's view* on . ;\ • ■ YR$ BAMOAN QUESTION. j Oh this subject, howeyer, he waa to all intents and purposes dumb. He was very reticent indeed on the matter. He had received a report from ' Captain Hand, of the Royalist, and he had cabled Home the particulars of the disturbance at Samoa, As for all the facts, he was not jn receipt of them,' c^rtaift Sports asked for by him not having been as yet received. As for international questions, and questions relating to the conduct of his officers, whether good, bad, or indifferent, he must decline to have anything to eay on them. He said that the declaring of war and o£ martial law gave a belligerent nation tremendous powers, even over, nautical parties ; but it seamed a question whether war had been declared by . Germany at Samoa when the disturbance with respect to the Bichmond arose. Certainly as the Germans were , not in occupation of the country at the time, they were not justified in 'proclaiming martial law, |. .-.-. '.'.: CAPTAIN BAND, of H.M.S. Eoyalist, was interviewed with the object of ascertaining what part he played in the recent disturbance at Samoa, more particularly dealing with the German outrage on Mr Gelling and the cargo of the steamer Richmond. Captain Hand gave his. account of >Mr (Selling's arrest and rele^e as follows :■— ♦• Information was brought to me on board the Boyalist of what had been done, and I went at once to the British Consul, and we both said that Mr Gelling must be immediately released, as by hiaarrestan outrage had undoubtedly, been committed, , I then went on board the Adlerand told Commander Fritz that Mr Gelling was to be sent back to the Biohmond in a. German. boat. The British Consul at the. same time demanded Mr Gelling's release from the German Consul. The Germans gave Mr Galling breakfast on board the Adler, and treated him very hospitably (so he' aaid) ; and in the course of the forenoon he waa sent back to the Richmond. Ido not know what occurred at .the court-martial. I believe that the captain of the Adler apoke to Mr Gelling on the quarter-deck, but Mr Gelling did not complain of any thing." Captain Hand was asked whether he had to use threats before he induced the, commander of the AdJer to release Mr Gelling, and , whether it was ; true that the Eoyalist and, the American man-of-war Bfeipaicran out their guns to compel the Germans to refrain from interference with the cargo on board the Bichmohd. Captain Hand said that nonsuch .demonstration was made on the Boyalist, and that he knew of nothing; of the kind having taken place on board the Neipsio. He said that what took place between himself and the captain of the Adler was known only to themselves so far; he had yet to forward his report to his superior officer, Admiral Fairfax, and did not consider it right to make the particulars; public through the Press. He said-^-" Immediately I knew that the Germans were breaking cargo on board the Biohmond, I sent an officer on board and stopped it." "Then you do not anticipate; a repetition of the Richmond affair ?" queried the reporter. " No, Ido not/' replied.Captain Hand. "The Germans had the law laid down to. them pretty clearly before I left, and I do not believe that Captain, Kane will have any trouble on that score. As for the. search of goods after they have been landed, I cannot speak for certain. , , ,The lawyers ashore gave it as their opinion that the Germans could have th^e goods landed at a certain, place . and searched. The Germans, however, will not be permitted to search the Bichmond on her present trip as they did before. Their right is to look at the ship's papers, and see; that Bbe is a merchant ship. They were not allowed to look at more than the papers ; of the steamer Wainiii when she went down. I sent an officer on, board, and when the German officer , visited the 6teamer he .was told that he could look at the Wainui's papers ; but that was all, and he did no. more." Concerning the part that the Neipsic was reported to have played, Captain Hand said that the arrest of Mr, Gelling "was a matter that did not concern, the Americans, Mr Gelling beiDg a; British subject. ■/. He (Captain Hand) told the. German^' that Mr Gelling was to be gent back to the Richmond, and he was sent -back. As for the breaking of British cargo, he stopped that immediately he heard of it. It was. ttue that owing to representations made by the captain of the Nejpsic, the Germans seized, to break open, America^ consignments? but he believed that this was only for a, . time, and that the order was subsequently countermanded.