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1885. NEW ZEALAND.
CONFEDERATION AND ANNEXATION. (PAPERS RELAIING TO THE ISLANDS OF SAMOA AND TONGA.)
Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.
No. 1. The Pbemieb to the Agent-Genebal. Tby arrange New Zealand may have option annexing or confederating Samoa under Bill last year. 22nd October, 1884, Eobebt Stout.
No. 2. The Agent-Genebal to the Pbemiee. Samoa, could represent privately, but official inevitably entail refusal. Any how, Colonial Office do absolutely nothing until Sydney decides Convention. 22nd October, 1884. " F. D. Bell.
No. 3. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jebvois, G.C.M.G., C.8., to the Secbetaby of State. 19th November, 1884. With regard to the negotiations about Pacific Islands with France and Germany'my Ministers hope you may be able to secure Samoa and Tonga to New Zealand. They undertake to propose next year to Parliament that the cost should be guaranteed.
No. 4. The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. g IB Foreign Office, 4th December, 1884. I am directed by Earl Granville to transmit to you herewith, to be laid before the Earl of Derby, copies of correspondence, as marked in the margin, with Her Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin, having reference to the question of the independence of Samoa and Tonga. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. J- Pauncefote.
Enclosure 1. Sir E. Malet to Earl Gbanville.—(Beceived by Telegraph, Ist December.) My Lobd Berlin, Ist December, 1884. I have the honour to report that Prince Bismarck told me to-day, in the course of conversation, that he had received a telegram from the German Consul at Samoa to the effect that the King was endeavouring to obtain for that island British protectorate. The Chancellor said that this step would create a very bad effect in this country, as the Germans had for some years past been interested in the island, and the Beichstag had already had before it for consideration the question of a subsidy to a Hamburg house trading with Samoa. The Prince added that he trusted that I should be able to give him an assurance that Her Majesty's Government had no intention of annexing the island. I am informed by Mr. Meade that there are apprehensions in New Zealand that the Imperial German Government may, sooner or later, annex both Samoa and Tonga. Will your Lordship authorize me to state to Prince Bismarck that Her Majesty's Government will give positive assurances that the independence of both places will be respected by them, provided that reciprocal assurances are made to the Queen's Government by that of His Majesty the Emperor? Ihave.&c, Edwabd B. Malet. I—A. 4d.
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Enclosure 2. Telegeam to Sir E. Malet. 4th December, 1884.—Your despatch of the Ist has been received, and Her Majesty's Government authorize your Excellency to give assurances that they will respect the independence of Samoa and Tonga, provided that they receive reciprocal assurances from the German Government. You may add that, pending the result of the discussion which has been agreed to by the two Governments, Her Majesty's Government do not contemplate any fresh arrangements in the Pacific.
No. 5. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jeevois, G.C.M.G., C.8., to the Secretary of State. 6th December, 1884. Eequested by King and chiefs of Samoa to telegraph that I have forwarded a petition from them to Her Majesty to annex Samoa.
No. 6. The Colonial Office to the Foeeign Office. Sib, — Downing Street, 11th December, 1884. I am directed by the Earl of Derby to transmit to you, to be laid before Earl Granville, a copy of a telegram from the Governor of New Zealand expressing the hope of his Government that, in the forthcoming negotiations with Germany and France, Samoa and Tonga may be secured for New Zealand. I am also to transmit a copy of a further telegram from Sir Win. Jervois, from which it appears that he has forwarded to the Secretary of State a petition from the King and chiefs of Samoa to Her Majesty to annex this group of islands. Lord Derby proposes to reply to these telegrams that the representations of the New Zealand Government have received due attention, but that foreign interests in the islands mentioned preclude Her Majesty's Government from accepting the cession of the Navigator Islands, and that the German Government has recently expressed its desire that no step may be taken by this country which could affect German interests in those islands. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office. John Beamston.
No. 3,
No. 5,
No. 4,
No. 7. The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. Sir, — Foreign Office, 19th December, 1884. "With reference to the assurances which, after verbal communication between this department and the Colonial Office, Her Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin was instructed to give Prince Bismarck on the subject of the rumoured intention of Her Majesty's Government to annex Samoa and Tonga, I am directed by Earl Granville to transmit to you, to be laid before the Secretary of State for the Colonies, copy of a despatch which his Lordship has addressed to Sir E. Malet, reporting a verbal communication on the subject made by Count Miinster on the 15th instant. I am to request that you will move Lord Derby to cause a communication to be made to the Government of Samoa, in the sense suggested by the German Government, through the Government of Fiji. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. T. V.1 Listee.
Enclosure. Sib,— Foreign Office, 19th December, 1884. Count Miinster called at this office on the 15th instant, to say that Prince Bismarck was very glad to learn that from the memorandum which your Excellency had delivered to him that Her Majesty's Government had the best intentions towards the German Government in respect of Samoa and Tonga, and His Excellency was instructed to thank me for this communication. His Excellency observed that some private individuals had been working in those islands for British annexation, and it would be desirable if the Government of Samoa should be informed that such a movement was disapproved by Her Majesty's Government. As to the proposal of an engagement to respect the independence of Samoa and Tonga, the German Government had already declared in 1879 and 1880 their willingness to do so, and they were now quite willing to enter into negotiations for that object. With regard to the South Sea Islands, His Excellency observed that the Australian colonies laid claim to them, and the annexation of a portion of New Guinea had placed Germany at some disadvantage ; but the German Government took notice of the assurance of Her Majesty's Government that no further annexation would take place until after the proposed discussion as to the British and German interests in the South Seas had taken place. I have, &c, His Excellency Sir E. B. Malet, X.C.8., &c. Gbanville.
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No. 7a. Foreign Office to Colonial Office. g m Foreign Office, 20th December, 1884. In reply to the letter from your department of the 11th instant, I am directed by Earl Granville to state to you, for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, that his Lordship concurs in the answer that Lord Derby proposes to send to the Governor of New Zealand with regard to the proposed annexation of Samoa and Tonga. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. T. V. Lister.
No. 8. The Secretary of State to Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.B. 24th December, 1884. Eefeeeing to your telegram of 19th November, representations will be fully considered, but foreign No. interests there present difficulties.
No. 9. The Premier to the Agent-General. Can you get us Samoa, Tonga, Harvey Group ? 27th December, 1884. Eobeet Stout.
No. 10. The Agent-General to the Premiee. Colonial Office will not move about Samoa or Tonga, position getting worse every day. 29th December, 1884. P- D- Bell.
No. 11. The Foebign Office to the Colonial Office. Sir,— Foreign Office, 30th December, 1884. With reference to my letter of the 20th instant, I am directed by Her Majesty's Secretary n O . of State for Foreign Affairs to transmit to you, to be laid before the Secretary of State for the Colonies, copy of a despatch from this office to Her Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin, forwarding correspondence respecting the proposed annexation of Samoa and Tonga. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. T. V. Listee.
Enclosure. g IE! _ Foreign Office, 29th December, 1884. With reference to my despatch of the 19th instant, I transmit, for your Excellency's information, a copy of a letter which I have caused to be addressed to the Colonial Office on the subject of the communication made by Count Miinster relative to Samoa and Tonga, together with copies of a correspondence which has passed with that department respecting the wish expressed by the Government of New Zealand that, in the forthcoming negotiations with Germany and France, Samoa and Tonga may be secured to that colony. I have to request your Excellency to inform Prince Bismarck that I have asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to cause a communication to be made to the Government of Samoa in the sense suggested by the German Government. I have, &c., His Excellency Sir E. Malet, X.C.8., &c. Geakville.
No. 12. The Premier to the Agent-General. Most strongly urge Colonial Office annex Samoa, and, if possible, Tonga and Harvey Group. Petition from King and chiefs Samoa forwarded sixth December Colonial Office by Governor, asking for annexation to New Zealand. 30th December, 1884. Eobeet Stout.
No. 13. The Agbnt-Geneeal to the Peemibe. Samoa, Tonga. Assure you that in present state relations with Germany not remotest chance Colonial Office doing anything whatever. 31st December, 1884. F- D. Bell.
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No. 14. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jeevois, G.C.M.G., C.8., to the Seceetabt of State for the Colonies. 31st December, 1884. Intelligence has been received by my Ministry from Samoa to the effect that the petition which I forwarded to you on the 6th December of the King and chiefs for annexation to Great Britain or New Zealand is a genuine expression of the views of the people of Samoa, who are especially desirous to come under British or New Zealand rule. It is urged by my Ministry that both Samoa and Tonga should be annexed, and they are prepared to propose to Parliament that New Zealand shall bear the expense. Should Her Majesty's Government desire they are also prepared to take over government of Fiji. My Government propose, meanwhile, seven days hence to despatch the New Zealand Government steamer to Samoa with the Colonial Secretary to accurately ascertain Samoan feeling.
No. 15. The Colonial Office to the Fobeign Office. Sib,— Downing Street, 31st December, 1884. No. 7. I am directed by the Earl of Derby to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, enclosing a copy of a despatch addressed by Earl Granville to Sir Edward Malet, reporting a verbal communication made to his Lordship by the German Ambassador in London, relating to the proposal for a mutual engagement between this country and Germany to respect the independence of Samoa and Tonga, and to the question of further annexation by Great Britain in the South Seas pending the discussion which had been proposed as to British and German interests in those seas. Before causing any communication to be made to the Samoan Government in the sense suggested by the German Ambassador, Lord Derby would be glad if Lord Granville would consider the point whether, after the course recently taken by Germany with regard to the annexation of a part of New Guinea and other places in the South Pacific Ocean, the arrangements and understandings referred to in the verbal communication made by Count Minister can be considered to be still in existence and binding. I am also to suggest, for Lord Granville's consideration, whether, with reference to the Enclosure in concluding paragraph of his Lordship's despatch of the 19th instant, it may not be desirable to No> 7- intimate to the German Government that their action in New Guinea had rendered it necessary for Her Majesty's Government to extend Her Majesty's protection over the remaining portions of New Guinea and the islands in the neighbourhoods. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office. John Beamston. No. 11. P.S.—I am also to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th instant, covering a copy of a despatch to Sir Edward Malet on the same subject.
No. 16. The Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. Keep need of annexing Samoa, Tonga, Harvey Group prominently before Lord Derby. Ist January, 1885. Eobeet Stout.
No. 17. The Agent-Geneeal to the Peemieb. Sib,— 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., Ist January, 1885. I have just received your further telegram of this evening on the subject of the German annexations and the New Hebrides, and directing me to keep prominently before Lord Derby the need for annexing Samoa, Tonga, and the Harvey Group. Lord Derby is at present out of town, but you may depend upon my doing my best as soon as he returns. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.
No. 18. The Seceetaey of State to Governor Sir W. F. D. Jeevois, G.C.M.G., C.B. 3rd January, 1885. No. 14. In reply to yours of the 31st December, Her Majesty's Government regret that they are unable to No. 8. meet wishes New Zealand Government. My telegram 24th ultimo reminded foreign interests Samoa and Tonga impede British annexation (see paragraph 3, letter to Agent-General, 31st August, 1883). German Government has given and received renewed assurance within last few days that independence of these islands shall be maintained. If, therefore, Colonial Government should unfortunately send Colonial Secretary Samoa, German Government would have strong justification for annexing islands accordingly. Her Majesty's Government hope that New Zealand Government will not preclude internationalization of the islands, which is obviously best course for British interests at present juncture,
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No. 19. The Foeeign Office to the Colonial Office. Sic, — Foreign Office, 3rd January, 1885. With reference to your letter of the 11th ultimo, relating to the wish of the King of Samoa for British annexation, and to my letter of the 19th, I am directed by Earl Granville to transmit to you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the accompanying despatch received from the Acting British Consul at Samoa, together with its enclosures. I have, &c, The IJnder-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Philip W. Cueeie.
No. 6. No. 7.
Enclosure 1. My Loed, — British Consulate, Samoa, 11th November, 1884. I have the honour to enclose a copy of a despatch sent by me to the Consul-General at Fiji, concerning Samoan affairs, since which events have occurred that—a chance opportunity offering—l feel it my duty to report direct. On the 9th instant I received a visit from the King, who in great distress sought my advice. He told me that on the previous day the German Consul had sent his interpreter to him, who read a document to the Government virtually giving a preponderance of influence to the Germans, such as establishing a police under German officers, having a German treasurer, and other such things. He asked that the document be left with him for discussion, but was refused, and was informed that he would be required to sign it the following day. He complained most bitterly that he was being made, under threats of man-of-war compulsion, to sign an act that he was not allowed to discuss. The next day I received the enclosed letters, which themselves will give your Lordship a true statement of Samoan feeling. I was, until I received copies, in utter ignorance that such action had been taken, which I believe was done in accordance with my advice given long since—namely, that any such subject must be from themselves without any foreign aid. There is no doubt whatever that the feeling is universal and genuine, and that the Samoans have now the greatest and sterling anxiety to be saved from what they openly state to be an existence of slavery. I beg that your Lordship will pardon this hurried despatch, caused by the unexpected chance of sending this information. A complete report will be forwarded on first opportunity. I have, &c, W. B. Chuechwaed, Her Britannic Majesty's Principal Secretary of State Acting British Consul, for Foreign Affairs.
Sub-Enclosure 1. Sib, — British Consulate, Samoa, 28th October, 1884. Eeferring to my despatch of the 6th December, 1883, I have now the honour to inform your Excellency that the anticipation stated therein of a certain action being taken by the Germans is likely to be realized, M. Weber, as owner of Muliunu Point, the seat of Government, having called upon the Samoans to redeem or vacate this property. My information is obtained from as reliable a source as is procurable—namely, from a party of natives commissioned to ask my advice and opinion in the matter, subsequent to a Fono held amongst themselves. They were most earnest in the matter, and informed me that after a Government consultation they had offered paj'inent, but it had been refused on account of a speech from the Vice-King on the subject, at which the German authorities had taken offence. This speech, I have since ascertained, was to the effect of protesting against the unfairness of the trial that deprived them of Muliunu, also against paying for land that was considered to be really their own. There existed, in my belief, another reason for this act of severity—viz., that the Samoan Government intended to reopen the question, and for that purpose had arrested the principal witness on whose evidence the case was given against them at the trial. This man, a chief of Atua, and one whose name is affixed to more bad land deeds than any other single man in the country, made his escape in the night, as is claimed, by outside assistance; consequently the trial could not come off. He is now in Atua amongst his own people, from whence it is highly improbable, if not impossible, for the Government to get him back. My visitors also informed me that it was the general opinion the Germans wished to pick a quarrel with their Government for annexation purposes. This they said was made clear by speeches to them, by the man-of-war placing flags on various parts of their coast, and also planting cocoa nuts on the reef islands. Of course I could give no advice or opinion on the first subject, as such would certainly be made public and no doubt have caused bad feeling as an act of interference in what did not concern my office ; but I explained that the flags were merely for surveying purposes, and that the planting cocoa nuts could harm no one, and was not to be taken for an act of possession as such is understood in their own custom. I knew they had already been to the German Consul concerning the last two subjects ; and, on my asking why they came to me after interviewing him, they replied that as he belonged to the nationality of the man-of-war whose captain was present at their interview they were not sure they were correctly informed,
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Shortly after this I had to abruptly dismiss them, for, becoming excited, they commenced a conversation that I could not listen to in this consulate : such as they would all fight any one who hoisted any other flag than the British flag over them, and that they would all like to see flying over them. There can be no doubt that the natives are really alarmed at the many reports of German annexation, and as a body resent the idea. The increasing loud talk of German power and importance impressed upon them every day of their lives, backed up by the newspaper reports of German desire for land acquisition, all of which in a more or less distorted condition they attain knowledge of and formally discuss, naturally cause them to think very seriously of the matter. There is a report here that distinct orders have been received from Home to enhance in every possible manner the value of German interests in the group, and to lose no opportunity for impressing the natives with German importance, with the view of establishing a protectorate. Prom the very loud and decided manner in which some of the principal Germans have been talking lately, and all of them generally, there would appear to be some reason for believing this report to be a fact. A noticeable thing is that few of the German remarks of their own intentions of advance are unaccompanied with corresponding depreciation of British ideas. A source of great personal annoyance to the Germans is of course the undeniable and increasing preference that the Samoans have for the British, coupled with the moral certainty, as shown by recent events, of soon being in active commercial opposition with British enterprise and capital. The preference for the British here has almost taken an official character, as instanced by an entirely unprecedented act on the part of the .King, who, previously to the departure of the British syndicate that came here to negotiate the acquisition of the American and McArthur's land claim, sent the principal member some handsome mats, a ring, &c. These presents were publicly brought to the hotel and delivered by the King's wife, who was escorted by some of the Government police. This could not have been done without the consent or knowledge of the whole Government, who to a noticeable degree, keep his Majesty a sort of prisoner, and regulate all that he does. There can be but little doubt that the pressure put upon the Samoans in the Muliunu affair has very much more to do with their openly-expressed opinion of British sympathy than the speech complained of, which in itself was nothing more than a natural grumble from the loser of a lawsuit, for the ViceKing was the man whose claim was disallowed. Before the arrival of the British land syndicate, although an arrival was expected, yet it was thought to be in the American interest. Of this the Germans took little or no notice, although a considerable quantity of land is claimed by both parties; but when it was found to be a British enterprise, which, if carried out, would place the Germans very much in the shade, the loud talk became redoubled, and has continued so ever since. The last cause for complaint is that the missionaries at their annual meeting made use of the word Peretania (Britannia) too frequently—in fact the smallest accidental circumstance forms a subject for loud-spoken suspicion. 30th October.—l have just received a message from Muliunu to the effect that the King, Taimua and Taipule, intend doing or saying nothing until the arrival of a British man-of-war, by which they expect a letter in answer to the King's sent last November through Captain Acland, of H.M.S. " Miranda." This is in itself a certain proof of the now universal desire for British influence here. When the letter in question was sent no one appeared in the matter but the King himself and two or three of his people, although others were cognizant of it; yet his Majesty did not wish it to be known what had been done. Now, I am assured that the whole Government as a body are most anxious for a favourable answer, and have privately sent me word that it is the desire of the whole people. If they do not receive a favourable answer, they hint at doing something mysterious of their own accord. They have not told me what that is, but I imagine it is what they have threatened to do before—namely, hoist the British flag and proclaim themselves British. In anticipation of such an occurrence I should be glad of your Excellency's advice in the matter. 31st October.—This morning the annexation alarm amongst the natives was vastly increased by the quite unexpected arrival of the German 12-gun corvette "Marie." This appeared to corroborate all the previous reports that had been spread abroad. The " Elizabeth," 19-gun corvette, being also daily expected, seemed to surely point to a naval demonstration of some sort or other in these parts. The next day I received a visit from the commander of the " Marie " and the German Consul. The former told me that he suddenly received telegraphic orders at Callao to proceed without delay to this station. Dr. Stuebel at the same time stated that he was left in complete ignorance of her mission further than that she had been ordered for service on this station. She is, I understand, to wait here for orders presumably to arrive per "Elizabeth." Although Dr. Stuebel informs me that he has had no intimation of the "Elizabeth" calling at all, I have been informed from several sources that the German Consul will, now the " Marie " is in port, proceed to enforce a settlement of certain German causes of complaint against Samoans, the nature and importance of which i have not as yet been able to ascertain. This will have the effect of still more alarming the Samoans. Finally, I would respectfully again ask your Excellency for instructions as to the line of conduct to be observed should the natives carry out their threat and hoist the British flag as against aggression, and proclaim their desire to become British. This I am confident they will do should they come to any difficulties with the Germans, which at present is very likely ; and, should these difficulties not occur, it is more than probable that before long, perhaps on the arrival of a British man-of-war, an offer of cession will be made. It is on this account that I am anxious to know your Excellency's views as to the line of conduct to be observed. Her Britannic Majesty's Consul-General in the Pacific Islands. W. B. Chuechwaed.
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Sub-Enclosure 2. To W. B. Churchward, Esq., Acting British Consul. Sir, — Muliunu, 11th November, 1884. I wish to make known to you that on the sth day of this month we wrote our prayer to Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland. Also we wrote an earnest request to the Governor and assistant rulers in the Government of New Zealand, that they would support our prayer to Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland. I send you copies of these two letters. I also beg of you to render what assistance you can in regard to this difficulty [agreement with Germany], concerning which we talked together last night. May you live. Malietoa, The King of Samoa,
Sub-Enclosure 3. To their Excellencies the Governor and Chief Assistant Eulers of New Zealand. Your Excellencies, — Muliunu, Samoa, sth November, 1884. We are the King and rulers of Samoa. We write to you to make known our prayer and entreaty to Her Highness the Queen of England in order that there may be set up the sovereignty of the Government of Her Majesty the Queen of England in our islands, and that it should be entirely at the disposal of Her Majesty's Government as to whether they should be formed into an English colony or be connected with your Government in New Zealand. Our King wrote nearly a year ago giving over the sovereignty of these islands to Her Majesty the Queen and the Government of England. We have also been very anxious for an answer, but no answer has yet reached us. We therefore send this entreaty to you in order that you may forward it to Her Majesty and the Government of England. We earnestly entreat you to assist us by praying Her Majesty the Queen of England to accept our request. We earnestly beg that you will listen to our prayer, and will render us all possible assistance, for our fear is great on account of the information we have received that our islands are about to be seized by Germany. We love much and respect the Government of England, because we know the Government of England acts justly and protects well the people who are under its rule. We do not want any other Government to take possession of our Government. We earnestly entreat and beg your Excellencies to make known our prayer to the Queen and the Government of England by means of a telegram. We rely on Her Majesty the Queen of England to devise some means to prevent Germany from taking possession of our islands, which is not according to our desire. We trust that your Excellencies, by your aid and by your entreaty to Her Majesty the Queen, will bring to pass the setting up of her soverignty in Samoa. May your Excellencies live. We are.
Sub-Enclosure 4. To Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, Your Majesty,— Muliunu, sth November, 1884. We are the King and chiefs of Samoa, who write to your Majesty to pray and entreat you to receive our request. It is now nearly a year ago since our King wrote to give over to your Majesty the sovereignty of Samoa. We have been very anxious while waiting for an answer, but no answer has been received. Your Majesty, great is our regard for your Government, for we know well our people will be protected, and we shall have peace under your rule. Therefore we entreat your Majesty that our anxiety may be relieved, which arises from our earnest desire that Samoa may be given over to your Government. It is entirely at the disposal of your Majesty as to whether it is better for us to become an English colony, or be connected with the Government of New Zealand. Your Majesty, our hearts are grieved and our fear is very great indeed with regard to other Governments who desire to take possession of our Government, which is not according to our wish. Therefore we entreat your Majesty that you will speedily come to our assistance in order that you may save us according to the sentiment expressed in our request. We wish to make clear to your Majesty, we, the King and chiefs of Samoa, give over our islands to the sovereignty of the Government of England. We rely on the the Government of your Majesty to protect our people. We hope and pray to God that your Majesty and your Government may prosper.
Sub-Enclosure 5. [Translation.] To his Highness the Vice-Consul of England. Sib,— Muliunu, 11th November, 1884. I wish to inform your Highness that I have now written to Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, and made known to Her Majesty our petition which has been committed [placed in the hands of] the Governor of New Zealand. It is mentioned also in that letter.
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I beg [have begged] your Highness that you would explain to Her Majesty everything that gave rise to my receiving the agreement which was made last night with Germany. I and my Government have been much distressed lest our group of islands should be taken by Germany. I wrote yesterday to the German Consul to give me a copy of the agreement with me and my Government. But the German Consul replied that he could not give me and my Government a copy. Then the whole Government met together and deliberated what was right to do, and it ended in our rejecting the agreement; it was not received. Notwithstanding that our distress still continued; it was getting very near the hour of the night that was fixed to hold the meeting, and I was walking in the road when Tupua Tamasese came down. He spoke distressfully and told me that bad story, and I became again very anxious; and I said, " Let us both go and receive the agreement, in order that we may be at peace to-day, and let us wait some decision from Great Britain." I beg your Highness to make known to Her Majesty the great regard [love] of myself and my Government to the Government of Great Britain; and also our strong desire to give up our group of islands to the Government of Great Britain. I hope in Her Majesty. Do not bear in mind [as an injury] this agreement with Germany. I am determined that when the sovereignty of Her Majesty is exercised over these islands, then that agreement shall end. Let not your Highness be offended, but do you make these things clear to Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, and do you send this letter by the steamer at Tutuila. Malietoa, The King of Samoa.
Sub-Enclosure 6. To Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland. Your Majesty,— Muliunu, 11th November, 1884. This is to make known to your Majesty that I, the King of Samoa, and the chiefs of my islands, have sent a petition to your Majesty that you would set up your Government in Samoa. We have sent that petition to the Governor of New Zealand, and have besought him to send it by means of a telegram to your Majesty, and make known to your Majesty that he has received our petition. We have informed your Majesty in our petition that painful anxiety has taken possession of our minds, because we are very much afraid of Germany, lest they should take our islands against our will. Your Majesty ! We are in distress on account of the Government of Germany, lest they should take our islands. Therefore we have accepted another treaty with Germany. I wish, in consequence, to make clear to your Majesty that I have accepted that treaty against my will; likewise also against the will of my Government, but I have accepted it on account of my fear, for I have thought if your Government should be set up in these islands then that treaty will become of no effect. I have entreated the English Consul here that he will make clear to your Majesty all the reasons of our fear which have led us to accept that treaty, and to make clear also to your Majesty the meaning of that treaty, and to inform you also oPthe great regard of myself and my Government for your Majesty and the Government of England, and our very great desire to give over our islands to the Government of your Majesty. I respect exceedingly the Government of your Majesty, and I trust that speedily you will receive favourably our petition. May your Government be established. Malietoa, The King, Samoa, your humble servant.
No. 20. The Premier to the Agent-General. Eeported here Germany forced King Samoa treaty, under which sole control Government will rest with Germany. Chiefs, people, Parliament protest against treaty. Supposing negotiations occur, keep Samoa in view. Strong irritation here respecting Germany's action. We protest against Agent-General's suggestion giving New Hebrides to France provided she foregoes sending recidivistes New Caledonia. Compact seventy-eight, respecting independence Hebrides, must be observed. sth January, 1885. Eobert Stout.
No. 21. The Agent-General for New Zealand to the Colonial Office. Sir, —' 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., sth January, 1885. I request permission to acquaint you, for the information of the Earl of Derby, that I have to-day received a telegram from the New Zealand Government stating that a report had reached them to the effect that the German Government had forced the King of Samoa into a treaty, under which the sole control of the Samoan Government would rest with Germany, and that the chiefs and people and also the Legislature of Samoa protested against the treaty. I beg leave to ask whether the Colonial Office has received any intelligence on the subject, which I can communicate to my Government. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies. P, D. Bell,
No. 20,
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No. 22. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jeevois, G.C.M.G., C.8., New Zealand, to the Eight Hon. the Secbetaby of State for the Colonies. 6th January, 1885. Eefebbing to your telegram 3rd January, Colonial Secretary will not be sent to Samoa. Intelligence received from Samoa a few days ago that two German war vessels arrived there, and, learning King and chiefs had petitioned Her Majesty for annexation, officers made treaty with King for five years. King states he was forced. Chiefs not consulted. Chiefs and people repudiate treaty, and Samoan Parliament declined ratify. Treaty gives whole authority government to Germany, German representative. Premier, Consuls not consulted. New Zealand large interests in Samoa. My Ministers consider if Germany keeps New Guinea and adjacent islands, Samoa and Tonga should become British. They hope compact with France about New Hebrides will be maintained.
No. 18,
No. 23. The Agent-Genebal to the Pbemieb. Samoa. Colonial Office knows nothing about treaty. Your orders respecting Hebrides noted. 6th January, 1885. F. D. Bell.
No. 24. The Peemieb to the Agent-Genebal. Ask Colonial Office show Governor's telegrams about Samoa. 6th January, 1885. Eobeet Stout.
No. 25. The Peemieb, New Zealand, to the Peemieb, Victoria. Teeaty made by King and Vice-King Samoa and German Consul secretly. Chiefs and people repudiate King's action. Treaty provides for German Samoan State Council consisting of German Consul, two Samoans, two Germans appointed by German Consul. Council has great powers. Can legislate. King is to appoint, in concert with German Consul, his secretary and adviser, who is to have functions of German Judge. We feel Colonial Office acting most supinely. Derby wires first he is considering petition for annexation ; a few days afterwards wires assurances exchanged with Germany. Samoa is to be independent, and prohibits our steamer visiting islands. Now, we hear this secret treaty, made 10th November last, unknown to him. Will you urge your AgentGeneral to assist ours in Samoan matter re New Hebrides. From confidential letter from Bell we learned he and Murray-Smith had, on their own individual responsibility, suggested to Derby giving New Hebrides to France if no convicts sent to New Caledonia. Hopo you will give orders to him to withdraw at once such a suggestion. 7th January, 1885. Eobebt Stout.
No. 26. The Peemieb, Victoria, to the Pbemieb, New Zealand. Astonished at your telegram. We think statement re Hebrides cannot possibly be correct, because Murray-Smith has positive instructions to the contrary. We have wired Murray-Smith as follows: " Informed by New Zealand Government German secret treaty Samoan King, provisions of which throw those islands entirely German hands. Derby meantime wire assurances exchanged with Germany for independence of Samoa. Is this considering and exchanging to continue till every island mopped up ? Join Bell protesting strongest manner re Hebrides. Bell writes Zealand he and you have suggested to Derby giving Hebrides France condition no convicts sent Pacific. I have assured Zealand you could not possibly have done so. See my letter of sth May last, number 1066." James Sbevice, 7th January, 1885. __^^_^^__________ Premier.
No. 27. The Agent-Geneeal to the Pbemiee. Samoa. Was aware Governor's messages, and therefore thought best not interpose except unofficial. Please instruct whether you wish me send in any letters now. My opinion is, utterly useless. Colonial Office to-day confirms views forced treaty, but seems rely upon German assurances as wired to Governor. Also relies Hebrides agreement observed. Bth January, 1885. F. D. Bell.
No. 28. The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. Sic, —■ Foreign Office, Bth January, 1885. I am directed by Earl Granville to transmit to you herewith, to be laid before the Earl of Derby, copy of a despatch from Her Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin reporting that he has asked the German Minister for Foreign Affairs to inform Prince Bismarck that the Secretary of State for 2—A. 4d.
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the Colonies has been requested to intimate to the Samoan Government that the movement in favour of a British annexation of the islands of Samoa and Tonga is disapproved of by Her Majesty's Government; and, with reference to your letter of the 31st ultimo, lam desired to point out that it is important that the assurances which have been given to the German Government should be fulfilled. Ihave&c The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. 1- V. Listee.
Enclosure 1. My Loed,— Berlin, 2nd January, 1885. I have the honour to enclose copy of the note which I have to-day addressed to Count Hatzfeldt in accordance with the instruction conveyed to me in your Lordship's despatch of the 29th ultimo, requesting His Excellency to inform the Chancellor that Her Majesty s Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies has been asked to inform the Samoan Government that the Government of the Queen would not approve of any annexationist movement in the islands of Samoa and Tonga. I have &c The Earl Granville, K.G. E' B- Malet.
Enclosure 2. M. le Secbetaibe d'EtA-T,— Berlin, 2nd January, 1885. I have the honour to inform your Excellency that Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has communicated to me the substance of a conversation which he had on the 15th instant with His Imperial Majesty's Ambassador in London, in which Count Minister stated that the Imperial Government understood that some private individuals had been working m the islands of Samoa and Tonga for British annexation, and remarked that it would be very desirable that the Samoan Government should be informed that such a movement was disapproved by Her Majesty's Government. . Earl Granville has now instructed me to request your Excellency to inform Prince Bismarck that he has asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to make a communication to the Government of Samoa in the sense suggested by Count Minister. I have, &c, The Count Hatzfeldt. . Edwaed B. Malet.
No. 29. The Colonial Office to the Fobeign Office. g IE _ Downing Street, Bth January, 1885. I am directed by the Earl of Derby to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant, with its enclosures, respecting German proceedings in Samoa. I am to enclose a copy of a telegram from the Governor of New Zealand, giving intelligence respecting the proceedings of two German vessels in regard to a treaty with Germany, which, it is intimated, the King of Samoa was forced to sign. The proceedings of the German officials, if correctly reported—as they doubtless are, for the telegram corroborates Mr. Churchwards despatch—are altogether in contravention of the assurances given on the 15th ultimo by Count Minister, and recorded in the enclosure to your letter of the 19th ultimo; and I am to suggest, for the consideration of Earl Granville, that Sir E. Malet should be instructed to inform the German Government that Her Majesty's Government fully rely upon the assurances then given, and are confident that the action reported to have been taken at Samoa will be disallowed in so far as it may prove to be inconsistent with those assurances. A letter has been addressed to the Admiralty, requesting that a vessel may be sent as soon as may be possible to ascertain the present state of affairs in the islands. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office. John Beamston.
No. 19. .
No. 22.
No. 7.
No. 30. The Colonial Office to the Admiralty. g IE Downing Street, Bth January, 1885. I am directed by the Earl of Derby to transmit to you, for communication to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of a telegram from the Governor of New Zealand, giving intelligence respecting the proceedings of two German vessels in regard to a treaty with Germany which, it is intimated, the King of Samoa was forced to sign. ' Information has also been received from the Foreign Office, showing that the German Consul in Samoa had obtained the execution of some treaty which would give German officials and settlers in Samoa a preponderating influence in those islands, and which therefore confirms the truth of the report sent by Sir W. Jervois. In these circumstances, Lord Derby would be glad if the Commodore on the Australian station could be instructed by telegram to dispatch a vessel to Samoa as soon as may be possible to report upon the present condition of affairs in the islands, and to ascertain fully the nature of the reported proceedings. I am > *?., _ The Secretary of the Admiralty. John Beamston,
No. 22.
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No. 31. The Colonial Office to the Agent-General. Sir, — Downing Street, Bth January, 1885. In reply to your letter of the sth instant, I am directed by the Earl of Derby to transmit to you a paraphrase of a telegram which was sent on the 3rd instant to the Governor of New Zealand, and a paraphrase of his reply, respecting German proceedings in Samoa. Lord Derby is now in communication with the Foreign Office on the subject. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand. John Bramston.
No. 21. No. 18. No. 22.
No. 32. The Premier to the Agent-General. Samoan King, Vice-King, chiefs, sent petition to Governor for annexation England or New Zealand early December. Governor forwarded Derby sixth December, but forgot to tell us until thirtieth. Meanwhile treaty made with Germany as cabled Colonial Office. Had resolved send steamer ascertain King's views before knew of treaty. Governor asked us delay until he cabled. Derby replied, assurances exchanged respect independence Samoa, and that if steamer sent, pretext given Germany annex. Derby previously led us believe was considering petition. Questions arise why were assurances exchanged virtually cancelled. When were pledges given ? And how can sending steamer give pretext ? ■ Surely Germany's conduct equally good pretext for Britain annexing. What does America say ? Should we continue urging annexation, or will England allow us send steamer ascertain true position, or arrange similar Convention. Take what steps you think necessary bring pressure. Already wired willingness take Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa to New Zealand. 9th January, 1885. Robert Stout.
No. 33. Hon. Sir Julius Vogel to the Agent-General. Samoa. I feel sure if England and Germany allow us to arrange with Germans and natives on spot, we shall come to amicable terms, and save Derby all trouble. 10th January, 1885. Julius Vogel.
No. 34. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., to Secretary of State. (Eeoeived 9th January, 1885.) (Telegraphic.) To-day's post I have received letter, 25th November, from King of Samoa, sending letter, 12th November, Queen of England, and asking me telegraph Queen of England not to regard treaty German Power [? if] Her Majesty is pleased to accept through fear of forcible annexation to German Empire, and [? hoping] annexation to Great Britain [? would] cancel the arrangements. King also sends letter, 20th November, from him to Consul, German Empire, stating in reply to letter from him that it quite true that he and chief authorities Samoa have written to Queen of England proposing annexation to Great Britain, and that it remains firm in desire. I have just received Consul at Samoa letter, 2nd December, informing me that in that country feeling for annexation Great Britain very strong and genuine; that in spite of very many attempts being made to shake their determination all parties unanimously resolved.
No. 35. The Admiralty to the Colonial Office. Sir, — Admiralty, 10th January, 1885. I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a copy of the telegram sent yesterday to the Commodore on the Australian Station, in accordance with Lord Derby's request, contained in your letter of the Bth instant, respecting the action of two German vessels at Samoa. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Evan MacGregor.
No. 30.
Enclosure. Telegram from the Admiralty to Commodore Erskine, at Sydney, on 9th January, 1885, at 6 p.m. No. 4.—Send a vessel to Samoa with orders to report on the state of affairs there. Acknowledge. N.B. —Copies of Colonial Office letter of Bth January, with its enclosure, were sent to the Commodore by mail of 9th January, 1885.
No. 36. Hon. Sir. Julius Vogel to the Agent-Geneeal. Samoa. Anxious learn Derby agrees our sending steamer. 12th January, 1835. Julius Vogel,
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No. 37. Hon. Sir Julius Vogel to the Agent-Genebal If Derby refuses our sending steamer will he let Admiralty vessel call here take Minister down ? 12th January, 1885. J. Vogel.
No. 38. The Peemiee, New Zealand, to the Peemiee, Victoria. Colonial Office wired that Admiralty sending ship to Samoa to inquire into position. We have received letters from Samoa stating that King, chiefs, and people unanimous for British rule, and King has written since treaty to German Consul to that effect; also, that treaty entered into to prevent German annexation and under pressure. As Samoa has been recognized an independent State by England, Germany, and America, it should surely bo allowed to join any nationality it likes. 12th January, 1885. Eobebt Stout.
No. 39. The Peemiee, Victoria, to the Peemiee, New Zealand. Many thanks for interesting telegram just received. Wish you entire success. Can we help you in any way ? Melbourne, 12th January, 1885. James Seevioe.
No. 40. Governor Sir F. W. D. Jeevois, G.C.M.G., C.8., to the Seceetaby of State. (Eeceived 15th January, 1885.) (Telegraphic.) It is urged by my Ministry that as petition contains alternate request annexation New Zealand it is their duty and right visit Samoa and themselves ascertain national feeling. Commodore having already sent ship, Ministry ask your Lordship's consent dispatch New Zealand Government steamer. I have informed Ministry that I will forward request, though Ido not consent.
No. 41. The Agent-Genebal to the Pbemiee! Samoa. Your messages and Governor's to-day. Colonial Office refuses consent either steamer or Minister going, because would openly violate mutual pledges between England and Germany against annexing. Bismarck insists pledges maintained. 15th January, 1885. ________^_ F- D- Bell.
No. 42. The Secbetaey of State to Governor Sir W. F. D. Jeevois, G.C.M.G., C.B. (Telegraphic.) 19th Januaby, 1885.—1 cannot sanction despatch steamer. As there is no question here respecting national feeling Samoa, no ground for colonial inquiry. In important speech Saturday Prince Bismarck mentioned agreement binding England and Germany maintain status quo in Samoa, and colonial action would be regarded as breach of agreement, and might lead to immediate annexation by Germany. If action of colonial Government does not preclude, Her Majesty's Government will, as far as possible, at approaching Conference secure British interests.
No. 43. The Agent-Genebal to the Peemieb. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 16th January, 1885. Since writing to you on the 31st ultimo, No. 590,* I have seen at the Colonial Office the telegrams which have passed between the Secretary of State and the Governor with regard to the Samoa and Tonga Groups; and I have also received a number of telegrams from yourself on the same subject. Intelligence of the intention of your Government to send a steamer to Samoa was telegraphed by the Press, and has been the subject of much discussion in the newspapers. I transmit to you herewith a few of the leading articles which have appeared, and also a Times report of what took place in the German Eeichstag a few days ago, when Prince Bismarck alluded to your proposal to send a steamer to Samoa. Lord Derby informed your Government, in one of his telegrams to His Excellency, that, as the Governments of England and Germany had very lately exchanged assurances to the effect that the independence of Samoa would be maintained, this international arrangement must prevent any British annexation of the group ; and I have understood at the Colonial Office that, in reply to the
* See Appendix X, to the letter of the Premier to the Agent-General, 19th March, 1885, No. 63,
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Governor's telegram of yesterday, Lord Derby proposed to send His Excellency a message to the effect that, as no question could be raised in this country about a national sentiment on the part of the Samoan chiefs and people in favour of British annexation, he was unable to see any ground for an inquiry by the colonial Government. That as England and Germany were mutually pledged to maintain the status quo which Prince Bismarck had himself just declared in the Reichstag, Her Majesty's Government must consider the despatch of a New Zealand Government steamer to be an open breach of this international agreement, which might lead to an immediate annexation of Samoa by Germany; but that, if not prevented by some action of the colony in the meanwhile, the Imperial Government would do its best to safeguard the interests of Her Majesty's subjects in those islands. On learning that this would really embody the final decision by the Colonial and Foreign Offices, I sent you a telegram last night. I have been too much occupied by financial matters connected with the million loan to write to you on the subject of Samoa to-day, but I hope to do so by an early mail. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.
No. 41
Enclosure. [The Times, Monday, 12th January, 1885.J We have received the following telegrams through Eeuter's Agency : — Annexation of the Samoa Islands. Wellington, 10th January. The Government of New Zealand purposes annexing the Samoa Islands. A steamer is held in readiness to proceed to sea pending the receipt of Lord Derby's decision in the matter. Berlin, 10th January. The news of the intended annexation by the Government of New Zealand of the Samoa Islands has created a great sensation here. This evening's papers consider it certain that the German and American Governments will energetically protest against this step. . [Tho Times, Monday, 12th January, 1885.j The debates on the colonial policy of Germany and its bearings on the relations between Germany and England which took place in the Reichstag on Friday and Saturday cannot but excite a very keen interest in this country. There is a powerful movement in Germany in favour of colonial development. This movement has not always enjoyed the advantage of Prince Bismarck's countenance and encouragement. In 1871, when it was proposed that Germany should seek colonial development at the expense of France, some of whose colonies might probably then have been had for the asking, the Chancellor roundly declared that Germany did not want colonies. Again, less than four years ago, when the late Lord Ampthill was consulted by the English Foreign Office as to the prospects of German colonial expansion, he replied : " The German Government feel more the want of soldiers than of colonies, and consequently discourage emigration. The German Parliament has marked its disinclination to acquire distant dependencies, however advantageous to German enterprise, by the rejection of the Samoa Bill." A great deal has happened since this despatch of Lord Ampthill's was written in September, 1880. The German Government and the German Chancellor now look with favour on German colonial enterprise, and the German Parliament, after a certain show of resistance on the part of the Clerical party, has sanctioned the increased grant for colonial purposes asked for by the Government. On Friday Prince Bismarck implored the House not to throw cold water on the enthusiasm of the nation for colonial expansion. " This popular enthusiasm," he said, "is not that of a holiday gathering, extending as it does to the best and most intelligent classes, and I ask you to take these sentiments into due account." This appeal was successful, and the vote was passed on Saturday by an overwhelming majority, after a debate in which Prince Bismarck himself took a leading part and expounded his views on colonial policy with his accustomed frankness. It is impossible for this country not to be deeply concerned in a speech of the German Chancellor in which he openly and pointedly referred to the relations between England and Germany, and their bearing on the colonial policy of the latter Power. Herr Wmdthorst, the leader of the Clerical party, had expressed apprehensions lest foreign complications should arise out of the new colonial policy, and even went so far as to hint at the possibility of war with England. Such a possibility was at once emphatically scouted by Prince Bismarck, who rebuked Herr Windthorst for his indiscreet language. There was nothing, he said, which could lead to serious dissension with England ; he could not see why Germany should ever be threatened with war by England, and such little differences as arose could always be peaceably settled with a little good will. We hasten to acknowledge the good feeling and the good sense of this declaration of the German Chancellor. It is inevitable that questions of some delicacy aud perplexity should from time to time arise between the two countries now that they are likely to be nearer neighbours in different parts of the world ; but we can see no more reason than Prince Bismarck sees why such questions should give rise to serious misunderstanding, still less to anything like hostility. Such a question, for instance, as that affecting the Cameroons is manifestly one which the two Powers should easily be able to settle by imposing forbearance and moderation on their respective agents on the spot. England has no direct interest in resisting the legitimate extension of German influence in that region. We are bound to respect the legitimate rights of other Powers in the matter of colonial extension as scrupulously as we expect our own rights to be respected, and if we act on this principle promptly, firmly, and straightforwardly we need have nothing to fear from German colonial enterprise. Prince Bismarck has shown by his refusal to countenance the shadowy claims
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of Herr LMeritz at St. Lucia Bay that he has no desire to raise questions that would bring Germany into direct conflict with England. There is ample room for German expansion in regions with which England has no direct concern, and even at points where the two Powers are likely to come into contact there is no reason why they should fall out so long as each is ready to treat the other with that consideration and respect which befit the relations of two great and friendly Powers which have been at peace in Europe, with one slight intermission, for more than a hundred years. In Europe we have always regarded the German Empire as the great security for the peace of the world. In the development of her colonial enterprises there is no reason to think that Germany is likely to prove a firebrand. She is somewhat restless, perhaps, at the present moment in the fever of new expansions, and a little disposed to look with a jealous and suspicious eye on the assertion by other Powers of rights to which her own colonial activity lends a new significance and importance. This is not unnatural in the circumstances :it justifies vigilance on our part and the firm assertion of our legitimate rights wherever they are likely to be overlooked, but it need not provoke antagonism. We do not grudge Germany any colonies s-he may acquire. A colonizing Power like England can hardly be surprised that other Powers should be inspired by her example. But in view of the extent and importance of our colonial empire, we could certainly wish that the colonial policy of Prince Bismarck, especially in cases where our own interests are more or less directly concerned, were a little more straightforward and aboveboard. "If," said he on Friday, "we indicate to-day what point we have our eyes upon, a foreign flag will be hoisted over it to-morrow." It would seem to follow from this significant hint that there are certain points not yet indicated on which the eyes of the German Government are fixed; and if this be so English statesmen, who so readily fell into the trap prepared for them by Prince Bismarck at Angra Pequena, are bound to keep a sharp look-out. There are certain points, such as Zanzibar, for instance, where English influence has long been paramount; and, if it were found that the eye of Germany were fixed on such a point as this, it would be very dangerous to reckon on the complacent acquiescence of England in German interference with it. The feeling of surprise attributed by Prince Bismarck to England at the extension of German transmarine influence is not altogether unnatural; but it will very soon pass away if English rights and English interests are respected, as the action of Germany in regard to St. Lucia Bay seems to show that they will be. The coincidence of the outbreak of international rivalry at the Cameroons with the irritation of the Australian colonies at the German acquisitions in New Guinea, and with the desire of New Zealand to annex the Samoa Islands, is not altogether accidental perhaps, though we doubt if it is entitled to the significance attributed to it by Prince Bismarck. Colonists are naturally sensitive, and they are sometimes a little too quick to resent the proximity of European neighbours as an impediment to their own future expansion. The truth is that there is room enough in the world for the colonial enterprise of both England and Germany ; and the colonial expansion of the latter can only impair the friendly relations of the two Powers if either of them fails to respect the just rights and legitimate interests of the other. We do not need Prince Bismarck's hint of the value to England of the friendship of Germany in Europe in order to convince us of the importance of this principle of reciprocity in regard to colonial .matters. We desire only to do as we would be done by—to recognize the rights of others and to claim equal recognition for our own rights. England, which has so many colonies, cannot complain if Germany desires to have colonies too; Germany, which is so active at present in hoisting her flag over unappropriated territories, cannot be much surprised when England follows her example. A policy of annexation for annexation's sake, however, is desired by no one in England, though possibly colonial ambition is a little less subject to restraint. It is important, no doubt, that England should pay due heed to the wishes expressed by her colonies in matters which closely affect their own security, and that the colonies should not be unnecessarily irritated by the vacillation and indecision of the Home Government, as has happened more than once lately. But the wishes of the colonies cannot be allowed to take precedence over recognized international obligations, or to impair the friendly relations of England with other European Powers. It may be a very natural impulse on the part of New Zealand to desire the annexation of the Samoa Islands, although they are separated from that colony by a wide expanse of sea ; but the question seems to be hardly one which can be determined by the wishes of the colony alone. Prince Bismarck stated on Saturday that there had long existed an understanding between England and Germany in regard to their respective action in that portion of the Pacific, and it is probable that any attempt on the part of New Zealand to act in defiance of this understanding would encounter some opposition from the Government of the United States,-whose interests in the Samoan Islands are not inconsiderable. It is evident, therefore, that the whole question is one which cannot be settled by the simple process which seems to commend itself to the Government of New Zealand. It has not yet been shown that the annexation is expedient in the interest either of New Zealand itself or of the Empire at large; but, even if that question be regarded as settled in favour of colonial aspirations, the question of international right would still remain to be considered.
No. 44. . Governor Sir W. F. D. Jeevois, G.C.M.G., C.8., to the Secretary of State. Referring to your telegram of 19th January, no steps will be taken here. 21st January, 1885.
No. 42,
No. 45. The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. Sic, — Foreign Office, 28th January, 1885. I am directed by Earl Granville to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th instant on the subject of the treaty alleged to have been concluded between Germany and the King
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of Samoa; and, in reply, lam to state to you, for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, that Lord Granville proposes to delay any further action in the matter until a reply has been received to the note which Her Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin was instructed to address to the German Government on the 13th instant, in which reference was made to the reliance placed by Her Majesty's Government in the assurances exchanged between the two Governments with regard to the independence of Samoa and Tonga. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. T. V. Listee.
No. 46. Count Munstee to Earl Gbanville. (Translation.) German Embassy, 28th January, 1885. The note which the Eoyal British Ambassador at Berlin addressed on the 17th instant to the Imperial Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs with regard to New Guinea, concludes with the information that the Eoyal British Government have recently received reports concerning the conclusion of a treaty between the representatives of Germany and the King of Samoa, and presupposes that this treaty will not be ratified so far as the stipulations do not harmonize with the explanations previously exchanged between Germany and England with regard to the maintenance of the independence of Samoa. The undersigned is directed to reply in a separate note upon this point, which is not in direct connection with the New Guinea question, and has accordingly the honour, by command of his Government, to give the following information to His Excellency Earl Granville. The Government of His Majesty the Emperor presumes that the present communication from the Eoyal British Government with regard to the conclusion of a German- Samoan treaty refers to the agreement which was signed in execution of Article VII. of the German-Samoan Treaty of Friendship of the 24th January, 1879, on the 10th November last, at Apia, between the Imperial representative in Samoa, Consul-General Dr. Stuebel, and the Government of that country. While the undersigned has the honour of inclosing, for the information of Her Majesty's Government, the annexed German translation of this agreement,* he expresses the hope of his Government that the Eoyal British Government will be convinced that the points agreed upon are within the limits of the German treaty with Samoa, and encroach neither on the independence of this group of islands nor on the rights acquired there by other nations. The advantages of greater legal security and of an improved penal administration in Samoa, the institution of which is the object of the above agreement, will benefit likewise the settlers who belong to the other treaty Powers, while the Germans interested will alone be liable, under Article VII., for the cost of the arrangements agreed upon. The Imperial Government has the intention of ratifying this agreement, subject to a closer examination of details, taking care that its stipulations shall also be strictly observed on the part of the Samoanese. They count on their exertions to bring about a condition of order in these islands not being thwarted from other quarters. The undersigned is instructed, with reference to this subject, to revert to the petitions which were addressed on the sth November of last year by the kings and chiefs of Samoa to Her Majesty the Queen of England, and to the Governor and Ministers of the Colony of New Zealand. The text of these petitions is now in the possession of the Imperial Government, and confirms the supposition which had been expressed some time previously, that they were drawn up by English subjects, and signed unrter the influence of the deception that Germany was contemplating an act of violence against the independence of Samoa. It appears, moreover, that the King of Samoa, at the commencement of last year, had already, by means of a similar petition, secretly offered the sovereignty over his country to the Eoyal British Government. The absence at the time of any disapproval of the conduct of those who had induced the King to take this step has clearly contributed to encourage further attempts in this direction. The Imperial Government expect with confidence that the instructions now contemplated by the Eoyal British Government will also have the result of putting an end to the agitation for the same object which is instigated from New Zealand. The undersigned avails, himself, &c. Munstee.
No. 47. The Agent-Genebal to the Peemieb. I think Germany trying get Samoa exchange relinquish her claim Guinea. Strongly advise your obtaining consent of all colonies against such bargain. 4th February, 1885. F. D. Bell.
No. 48. The Pbemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. Peotest emphatically exchange Samoa New Guinea. 6th February, 1885. Eobeet Stout.
* See Appendix 111. to letter of the Premier to the Agent-General, 19th March, 1885, No. 63.
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No. 49. The Peemiee, New Zealand, to the Pbemiees, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. Have received message from our Agent-General that probably proposal will be made by Germany to give up claims to New Guinea in exchange for Samoa. We protest most strongly against this proposal, and hope you will also instruct your Agent-General to do so, as if carried out the control of the central Pacific will vest in Germany. I have wired Agent-General, also protesting. 6th February, 1885. Eobbet Stout.
No. 50. The Premxeb, Victoria, to the Pbemiee, New Zealand. Have wired Murray-Smith instructing him to heartily support Bell in protesting against exchange Samoa for Guinea. It is deplorable such a thing ever thought of. Smith cables me that at desire Germany, Thurston, Fiji, and Doctor Kranel, probably appointed confer and report upon actual state British and German establishments in interest Pacific. 7th February, 1885. Jambs Sfrvice.
No. 51. The Foreign Office to the Colonial Office. Sic,— Foreign Office, 9th February, 1885. I am directed by Earl Granville to request that you will state to the Earl of Derby that Her Majesty's Ambassador has been informed by the German Government that their Consul at Apia telegraphs that, in reprisal for acts of violence by some Samoan natives in regard to land near the seat of Government, he has seized the land in question and hoisted the German flag on it. Prince Bismarck has asked for explanations by telegraph, as he does not understand the action of the Consul. He has assured Her Majesty's Ambassador that he has no intention of sanctioning the annexation of Samoa or the establishment of a German protectorate there, and that he adheres strictly to the terms of the agreement with Her Majesty's Government in regard to the island. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. J. Pauncefote.
No. 52. The Colonial Office to the Foreign Office. Sic, — Downing Street, 9th February, 1885. In reply to your letter of the 2nd instant, forwarding, for the consideration of the Earl of Derby, a printed copy of a note from Count Miinster, dated the 28th of January, respecting Samoa, I am directed by his Lordship to submit the following observations: — A State Council in which Germans alone are represented will, in the opinion of Lord Derby, give to that nationality a preponderance in the political relations of the Samoans towards other foreigners which cannot be but injurious to the interests of British settlers in the islands, for the arrival of a British mercantile competitor might be alleged as a danger to German interests, and the State Council be pressed to determine upon laws and regulations to operate exclusively in favour of the Germans; and as it would not be possible for Her Majesty's Government to accept a position of less influence and consideration than is given to Germany by this treaty, it would apparently be necessary for Her Majesty's Government to call upon the Samoan King to enter into a precisely similar treaty for the benefit of British subjects, in order to secure the most favoured, nation treatment guaranteed by Article 11. of the British Treaty of the 28th August, 1879. If this treaty had been confined to the establishment of a Court, and the procedure to be observed in civil or criminal cases, and the punishment of offences in which German subjects are concerned, for which alone Article VII. of the German Treaty of 1879 provides, the provisions of it would not be open to criticism ; but the creation of a State Council, the appointment of a German officer of the Samoan Government, and the enrolment of a German police to protect the plantations of German subjects appears to place Her Majesty's subjects at a disadvantage, and will prevent the Samoan Government from acting independently in matters which affect the whole community. The arrangement seems to give to Germany alone much of the influence which Lord Granville on the 7th September, 1880, thought was too great an interference with the island government to allow of its being assumed by the representatives of England, Germany, and the United States of America conjointly. Lord Derby has no knowledge of the circumstances attending the preparation of the petitions from the King and chiefs of Samoa of the sth November last beyond what is stated by Mr. Churchward in his despatch of the 11th November, 1884, and in the telegrams from the Governor of New Zealand of the 31st December, and the 6th and 9th January last, and his Lordship has no reason to suppose that there is any foundation for Count Minister's complaints. The feeling in Samoa in favour of English annexation appears to be spontaneous, national, and genuine. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office. Eobebt G. W. Hebbebt,
No. 46.
No. 19. Nos. 14, 22, 34.
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No. 53. The Colonial Office to the Foeeign Office. Sic, — Downing Street, 11th February, 1885. I am directed by the Earl of Derby to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 9th instant respecting certain reported proceedings of the German Consul in Samoa, I am to observe that, as Lord Derby telegraphed to the Governor of New Zealand on the 19th ultimo that Prince Bismarck had declared in the Reichstag that the agreement to observe th.es tatus quo in Samoa would be observed, and that consequently no colonial action in the direction of British annexation could be approved, there seems to be no necessity to take any steps at present in consequence of this communication from the German Government. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office. John Bbamston.
No. 51.
No. 42.
No. 54. The Foeeign Office to the Colonial Office. Sib,— Foreign Office, 12th February, 1885. I am directed by Earl Granville to transmit to you herewith, to be laid before the Earl of Derby, copy of a despatch which has boon addressed to Her Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin, recording a communication which has been made by the German Ambassador at this Court on the subject of the action of the German Consul in Samoa. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. T. V. Listee.
Enclosure. Earl Geanville to Sir E. Malet. Sib,— Foreign Office, 12th February, 1885. The German Ambassador called at this office on the 10th instant, and made the following communication on behalf of his Government:—■ The German Consul at Apia (Samoa) has telegraphed that he had hoisted the German flag there by way of " reprisal." The telegram does not explain the motive or object of this proceeding, and Prince Bismarck does not know its meaning. Ho does not look for or approve any alteration in the state of affairs at Apia, and desires this communication to be made to Lord Granville. I am, &c, His Excellency Sir E. Malet, X.C.8., &c. Geanville.
No. 55. Governor Sir W. F. D. Jbevois, G.C.M.G., C.8., to the Seceetaey of State. (Received 14th February, 1885.) (Telegraphic.) In letter received from King of Samoa bearing date 27th January, protesting against recent action Germans seizing Apia, construction of fortifications, and hoisting German flag, he begs earnestly that ship may be sent. " Miranda " left Sydney 13th January. British Consul and American have made formal protest against violation of Convention 1879.
No. 56. The Foebign Office to the Colonial Office. Bib,— Foreign Office, 16th February, 1885. I am directed by Earl Granville to transmit to you herewith, to be laid before the Earl of Derby, copy of a note which his Lordship has addressed to the German Ambassador at this Court in reply to his communication of the 28th ultimo upon the subject of Samoa. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. J. Pauncefote.
No, 40.
Enclosure. Earl Geanvillb to Count Munstee M. l'Ambassadeub, — Foreign Office, 16th February, 1885. Her Majesty's Government have attentively considered your Excellency's note of the 28tli ultimo, enclosing a Gorman translation of the agreement signed on the 10th November last between the Imperial Representative in Samoa and the Government of that country. Before discussing the same, permit me to remind your Excellency that I informed you on the 3rd instant that Mr. Thurston, the Colonial Secretary of Fiji, had been selected to act as the British Commissioner for the inquiry into British and German interests in the Pacific. I stated at the same time that, as far as Her Majesty's Government were concerned,- the Commissioners might meet as soon as possible, but that, on the other hand, if the German Government preferred that the general question should first be negotiated directly between the two countries, Her Majesty's Government had no objection to such a course. I should be glad to receive an early intimation of the wishes of your Government upon this point. 3—A. 4a>,
No. 46.
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I will now proceed to offer a few remarks in reply to your Excellency's communication of the 28th ultimo. Your Excellency expresses the hope of your Government that an examination of the terms of the recent agreement between Germany and Samoa will convince Her Majesty's Government that the points agreed upon are within the limits of the German treaty with Samoa of 24th January, 1879, and encroach neither on the independence of this group of islands nor on the rights acquired there by other nations. If, M. l'Ambassadeur, this agreement had been confined to the establishment of a Court, and of the procedure to be observed in civil and criminal cases, and the punishment of offences in which German subjects are concerned, for which alone Article VII. of the German treaty in 1879 provides, its provisions would not, in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government, have been open to criticism; but the creation of a State Council, the appointment of a German officer of the Samoan Government, and the enrolment of a German police to protect the plantations of German subjects, appear to place Her Majesty's subjects at a disadvantage, and will prevent the Samoan Government from acting independently in matters which affect the whole community. The arrangement seems, in fact, to give to Germany alone much of the influence with which, in 1880, it was proposed to invest an Executive Council, to be composed of one English, one German, and one United States member. To this arrangement Her Majesty's Government declined to accede on the ground that it involved too great an interference with the Government of the island to allow of its being assumed by the representatives of Great Britain, Germany, and the United States conjointly. It will not be possible for Her Majesty's Government to accept a position of less influence and consideration than is given to Germany by the agreement under discussion. If, therefore, it should be ratified by the Imperial Government in all its essential points, it may become necessary for Her Majesty's Government to call upon the Samoan Government to enter into a precisely similar agreement for the benefit of British subjects, in order to secure the most favoured-nation treatment guaranteed to this country by Article 11. of the British treaty with Samoa of 29th August, 1879. Your Excellency has further been instructed to revert to the petitions which have been addressed by the King and chiefs of Samoa to Her Majesty the Queen and to the Governor and Ministers of the Colony of New Zealand, praying for annexation to Great Britain ; and you state that the text of these petitions confirms the suppositions that they were drawn up by British subjects, whose efforts in this direction have been encouraged by the absence of any expression of disapproval of such conduct on the part of Her Majesty's Government. I have no knowledge, M. l'Ambassadeur, of the circumstances attending the preparation of these petitions, beyond the fact that they were forwarded to the Acting British Consul at the time of the recent German negotiations with Samoa, and I have no reason to suppose that there is any foundation for your Excellency's complaints. The feeling in Samoa in favour of English annexation appears to be spontaneous and genuine, and there seems no more reason to suppose that it has been instigated by Englishmen than that it has been intensified by the recent action of the German representatives. I have so recently informed your Government of the conditions upon which Her Majesty's Government were prepared to respect the independence of both Samoa and Tonga that I need hardly repeat my assurances on this subject. I beg, however, to take this opportunity of expressing the gratification with which I had learnt from Her Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin, and from your Excellency, that your Government had promptly repudiated the action of their Consul at Apia in hoisting the German flag over some land there. It is unavoidable that, in places far distant from Europe, the action not only of British and German individuals, but even of official servants of each State, may be such as, unchecked, might lead to unnecessary complications. Immediate inquiry, and consequent action on the part of the respective Governments, such as the German Government have now adopted, and which Her Majesty's Government are ready to adopt on all similar occasions, are the best antidotes against this risk. I have, &c, His Excellency Count Minister, &c. Geanville.
No. 57. The Pbemieb, Queensland, to the Pbemiee, New Zealand. I have telegraphed to Garrick as follows : " Make urgent representations to Secretary of State for Colonies of greatest importance give effect to resolutions passed by Convention. Any further departure from resolutions with respect to New Guinea, Hebrides, Samoa, Tonga will cause much dissatisfaction Australian colonies. Thought it best to refer pointedly to the Convention as the starting point of all the action which has since taken place." Brisbane, 16th February, 1885. S. W. Gbiffith.
No. 58. The Foeeign Office to the Colonial Office. Sir,— _ Foreign Office, 17th February, 1885. I am directed by Earl Granville to transmit to you herewith, for the information of the Earl of Derby, copy of a despatch from the Acting British Consul at Samoa, forwarding a translation of a letter addressed by the King of Samoa to His Majesty the Emperor of Germany. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, T. V. Listee,
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Enclosure. My Lobd, — British Consulate, Samoa, sth January, 1885. I have the honour to enclose, for the information of your Lordship, a translation of a copy of a letter forwarded by the King of Samoa to His Majesty the Emperor of Germany, and furnished me by Malietoa, who had previously informed me of his intention to appeal to the German Government. ca^n-Beyond the return of the German war-of-war "Albatross," sent specially to New Zealand to telegraph Home for instructions, nothing worthy of mention has occurred. The native desire as expressed in their petition still remains unchanged, but strengthened, in spite of strong private efforts to shake it. I have, &c, The Earl Granville, K.G., &c, W. B. Cuubchwabd.
To His Imperial Majesty the Empeeoe of Geemany. Youe Majesty,— Muliunu, 29th December, 1884. I am writing to your Majesty to make known my distress on account of difficulties which are being caused to me and my Government by gentlemen of your Government who are resident in Samoa. I humble myself and beg and entreat your Majesty to listen to my complaint. The first thing concerning which I wish to make known my complaint to your Majesty is this:— The agreement made on the 10th November between the Government of Germany and the Government of Samoa. The means by which that agreement was procured were unjust, for we did not want it, and we were not permitted to deliberate and consider well concerning it. I wrote to the German Consul to give me a copy of that agreement in order that we might understand clearly the words in the agreement. But he was unwilling to give me a copy of that agreement in order that we might understand clearly the words in the agreement. But he did not reply, as he was unwilling to give me and my Government a copy unless we should first accept it, after which he w Tould deliver up a copy to me and my Government. But the reason for my accepting it and for writing our names, Malietoa and Tupua, was on account of our fear through our being continually threatened. I make known this to your Majesty in order that our withdrawal from the agreement may be known on account of its containing many impracticable clauses. Therefore I beseech your Majesty not to assent to that agreement. There is another matter concerning which I complain to your Majesty. It is in reference to difficulties which are being caused at the present time by a subject of your Government, M. Weber. He is continually endeavouring to produce divisions which will bring about wars and quarrels in Samoa. I have many accounts of his acts which ha is doing at ths present time in order to cause difficulties in Samoa. He is scheming with certain Samoan chiefs and keeps giving them money, in order that they may obey his will and bring insurrections against my Government. I complain to your Majesty on account of the wrong things done by M. Weber in order that you may check that gentleman and prevent him from continuing to cause matters to arise which will lead to the shedding of the blood of men of my Government. I trust that your Majesty and your Government may prosper. I have, &c, Malietoa, King of Samoa.
No. 59. The Secbetaey of State to Sir W. F. D. Jeevois, G.C.M.G., C.B. (Telegraphic.) 18th Febbuaby, 1885. Forward by first opportunity to Consul, Samoa, direction not to give any countenance or support to any movement for annexation to Great Britain.
No. 60. The Agent-Geneeal to the Peemiee. Interview Lord Derby Agents-General. . . . Samoa, Tonga. Status quo will be maintained. 19th February, 1885. F. D. Bell.
No. 61. [For correspondence relating to German action at Samoa—(see despatches from the Governor to the Secretary of State, A.-1., 1885. Nos. 25 and 27.]
No. 62. The Agent-Genebal to the Peemieb. Sic, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 9th March, 1885. I transmit to you herewith a Times report of what took place in the House of Commons on the sth instant respecting Samoa and Tonga and the New Hebrides, in answer to questions by Mr. Gorst; also of a speech by Lord Granville in the House of Lords on the 6th instant, relating to the difference which had arisen between himself and Prince Bismarck. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D, Bell,
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Enclosure. [The Times, Friday, 6th March, 1885.] House of Commons, Thursday, sth March. Samoa and Tonga. Mb. Gobst asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Sir Edward Malet had given the assurances referred to in a Foreign Office telegram of 4th December, 1884, that Great Britain would respect the independence of Samoa and Tonga ; whether reciprocal assurances had been received from the German Government; and whether there was any objection to lay upon the table the documents in which these reciprocal assurances were recorded. Lord B. Fitzmaubiob.—Sir E. Malet did give the assurances referred to in accordance with his instructions, and reciprocal assurance were received from the German Government. The documents recording those assurancess have already been laid in the Parliamentary papers on New Guinea presented last month (C.-4, 273), and are numbered 73, 136, and 181. British Bights in the Pacific. Mr. Gobst asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether, having regard to the diplomatic engagement formerly made with France not to occupy the New Hebrides, to Mr. Meade's suggestion at Berlin that Franco should be allowed to take the New Hebrides, and to the diplomatic engagements recently made with Germany not to assume sovereignty over the north coast of New Guinea, and not to occupy Samoa or Tonga, he would give a pledge that Her Majesty's Government would not surrender any more British rights in the Pacific Ocean until the colonial Governments interested and the British Parliament have had the opportunity of fully considering the interests of the British Empire in the Pacific. Mr. Gladstone.—The question rests upon assumptions set forth in the preamble, to which I am not able to accede, that the engagement with France to maintain the neutrality of the New Hebrides continued to be in force. With regard to New Guinea, nay honourable and learned friend has been inaccurately informed. There have been no such diplomatic engagements with Germany in regard to New Guinea as he supposes. The telegrams show that the German annexations on the north coast of New Guinea have been made in concert with the Government of this country, and therefore there has been no surrender of their rights on the part of the Government of this country. With respect to Samoa and Tonga, I believe the fact to be that Germany has not failed to maintain its engagement not to occupy Samoa or Tonga, and the German Government itself has expressly disowned the course taken by the German Consul at Samoa in hoisting the German flag there. We cannot allow that any British rights have been surrendered, and therefore the question of the honourable member falls to the ground. [The Times, Saturday, 7th March.] A part of the answer to the question of Mr. Gorst given by Mr. Gladstone on Thursday evening was imperfectly heard and reported. It should read as follows : " For example, with respect to the New Hebrides our statement is this : that the engagement with France to maintain the neutrality of the New Hebrides continues in force, and that there has been no proposal that France should assume the sovereignty of the New Hebrides unless on terms satisfactory to the Australian colonies."
No. 63. The Pbemieb to the Agent-Genebal. Sib, — Government Offices, Wellington, March 19, 1885. My absence from Wellington has prevented my more promptly informing you, in detail, as to what the Government have done regarding Samoa. 2. You have learned from our telegrams what were, generally, the views of the Government on the subject; and you have no doubt ascertained from the Colonial Office, what has passed between the Colony and Lord Derby. I desire now, however, for your guidance in any future discussions respecting the Pacific Islands question, to narrate briefly all that has lately taken place as to Samoa. The papers relating to Confederation and Annexation, which were presented to the Assembly during the two Sessions of 1884, show the correspondence, &c. from 1848 to the date of publication, between New Zealand and the Imperial Government, regarding the annexation of various Pacific Islands: the papers containing the earlier correspondence being included in A.-i-, Session I. ■ 3. I need not remind you that there is a considerable trade between New Zealand and the Samoan group; but you may not be aware that New Zealand colonists have obtained possession of lands there, and that surveyors are even now engaged in surveying the lands so granted. There seems to be a hope that our trade with Samoa will rapidly develop, and efforts are being made by many persons, especially in the northern parts of the colony, to promote such a development. It was with a view of aiding in that direction that the Government, last session, obtained from Parliament a vote for a steam mail-service to Samoa, Tonga, and Tahiti. Tenders have now been invited for such a service; and, from what has been stated to me, I have no doubt that offers to do the work will be received, within the limits, as to cost, stated in the House of Representatives by the Postmaster-General. In order to show the extent of our trade, as compared with that of other Colonies, I append gome statistics: —
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Imports and Exports. Fiji. Imports. Exports. 1883. New South Wales. ... ... ... 128,253 248,380 1883. Victoria ... ... ... ... 16,817 26,159 1883. Queensland... 1883. South Australia ... ... 1884. New Zealand ... ... ... 42,564 33,486 New Caledonia. 1883. New South Wales ... ... ... 152,096 212,528 1883. Victoria ... ... ... 1883. Queensland... ... ... 1882. South Australia ... ... .. 2 36,744 1884. New Zealand ... ... ... 7,390 8,533 Honolulu (Hawaii). 1884. New South Wales ... ... ... 303 63,831 1884. Victoria ... ... ... 1884. Queensland ... 1882. South Australia ... ... ... 10 1884. New Zealand ... ... ... 20 1,310 Other South Sea Islands. 1883. New South Wales ... ... ... 39,347 84,328 1883. Victoria ... ... ... ... 798 1,259 1883. Queensland ... ... ... ... 3,061 14,948 1883. South Australia 1884. New Zealand ... ... ... 50,107 47,759 Totals. Australian Colonies... ... ... ... 370,687 688,177 New Zealand ... ... ... ... 100,181 90,070 You will observe that, so far as the Islands exclusive of Fiji, New Caledonia, and Hawaii (Honolulu) are concerned, our trade exceeds that of New South Wales, and is larger than that of all the other Australian Colonies together. And our trade is increasing, as the following figures show : — Total Value of Imports. Exports. 1882 £74,859 ... £71,318 1883 ... ... ... 81,260 ... 115,969 1884 ... ... ... 100,181 ... 90,070 4. Wishing to establish this mail communication, and also to ascertain for ourselves the feelings of the Samoan people towards New Zealand, we determined to send the Government steamer " Hinemoa," with the Hon. the Colonial Secretary on board, to Apia. Before we came to this determination, we had been informed, by letters from residents, that a petition was being prepared in Samoa for the annexation of the group to New Zealand. The step we contemplated taking being an important one, which might, as we recognized, cause considerable discussion in England, we felt it to be our duty to bring the subject before His Excellency the Governor. He was at the time residing in Christchurch; and I sent to him there the following memorandum : — " Ministers present their respectful compliments to His Excellency the Governor. " In view of the present state of Samoa, and the reported anxiety of the Chiefs and people to be united with New Zealand, Ministers deem it of importance that the Hon. the Colonial Secretary should at once visit Samoa. " His Excellency is aware that a sum was voted by Parliament to establish postal services between New Zealand and the Pacific Islands; and it is thought Samoa and Tonga should be included in this service. To see what opening there is for our trade, the visit of the Colonal Secretary will also be of advantage. " Ministers propose that the ' Hinemoa ' should be sent down; and they hope that His Excellency will be able to defer, for a short time, his visit to Marlborough and the West Coast. The ' Hinemoa' will return as speedily as possible, and will then be available for His Excellency. "It is not necessary to add, that it is of the utmost importance that this visit of the Colonial Secretary should be kept secret. " Eobekt Stout. " Dunedin, December 26, 1884." 5. I subsequently saw His Excellency in Christchurch, and stated what we intended to do. I also stated what we had heard as to a petition, and I added that letters received by us from Samoa informed us that the people of the group were anxious for annexation to England or to New Zealand. I left for Wellington the same day; and on my arrival here, I received a telegram from His Excellency, saying that he found he had omitted to inform the Government
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that he had received the petition from the King and the people of Samoa, praying for annexation, and that he had, about a fortnight before, forwarded it to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. The petition is printed herewith; as is also a letter respecting it, written by King Malietoa to Her Majesty the Queen. 6. His Excellency came to Wellington on December 31st; and, the whole matter having been, on the same day, discussed in Executive Council, it waa agreed that a telegram should be sent to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in substance as follows :— "My Ministers wish me to reiterate their desire for the annexation of Tonga and Samoa. They would be prepared, next Session, to propose to Parliament that New Zealand should pay the cost; and, should the Imperial Government wish it, they would be ready, also, to undertake the Government of Fiji. Information received by my Ministers from Samoa, leads them to believe that the views expressed in the petition already forwarded to your Lordship, are those genuinely felt by the Samoan people. My Ministers propose, seven days after the date of this message, to despatch the ' Hinemoa,' with a Minister on board, to make enquiries on the subject." 7. I think you have been informed that on November 19th, being strongly impressed with the urgent necessity for the Imperial Government taking steps to preserve its power in the Central Pacific, and to annex Samoa, we advised His Excellency to despatch the following telegram to the Secretary of State for the Colonies : —■ " My Ministers urge the annexation of Samoa and Tonga, and are prepared to propose to Parliament that New Zealand shall bear the expense."* The reply to this message, which did not reach Ministers until the 28th December, was, in substance, as follows :— " Eepresentations will be fully considered : but foreign interests there present difficulties." We therefore had this reply before us, when the Executive Council was considering what steps should be taken regarding the despatch of the " Hinemoa." 8. It was afterwards determined that the " Hinemoa " should leave for Auckland, conveying the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel to Waiwera, and that the steamer should remain at Auckland, with the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, until His Excellency received a reply from the Colonial Office. 9. Lord Derby's reply, dated the 3rd January, was received by His Excellency on the sth. In substance, it was :— " With reference to your telegram of the 31st ultimo, Her Majesty's Government regret that they are unable to meet the wishes of the New Zealand Government. My telegram of the th ultimo reminded (?) that foreign interests in Samoa and Tonga prevent British annexation.—(See paragraph 3, letter to Agents-General, dated August 31st, 1883.) Within the last few days, the German Government has given and received renewed assurance that the independence of these Islands shall be maintained. If, therefore, the Government of New Zealand should unfortunately send the Colonial Secretary to Samoa, the German Govermnent will have strong justification for annexing these Islands. Her Majesty's Government hope, therefore, that the New Zealand Government will not preclude the internationalization of the Islands, which is obviously the best course, at the present juncture, for British interests." 10. About this time, intellegence reached us from Samoa, that a German man-of-war, had visited Apia, and had made a new treaty or convention with the King. A translation of the document is appended. This was deemed of so much importance, that we at once advised His Excellency to telegraph to the Earl of Derby, which he accordingly did, on January sth. The message was, substantially, as follows:— " Referring to my telegram of 3rd January, Colonial Secretary will not be sent to Samoa. Intelligence received from Samoa a few days ago, that two German war vessels arrived there, and learning King and chiefs had petitioned Her Majesty for annexation, officers made treaty with King for five years. King states he was forced : Chiefs not consulted. Chiefs and people repudiate treaty, and Samoan Parliament declined ratify. Treaty gives whole authority Government to Germany, German representative. Foreign Consuls not consulted. New Zealand large interests Samoa. My Ministers consider, if Germany keeps New Guinea and adjacent islands, Samoa and Tonga should become British. They hope compact with France about New Hebrides will be maintained." A further telegram, giving full details of the new treaty, was sent by His Excellency on the Bth of January. How, after the Earl of Derby's telegram of the 3rd January, objecting to our sending the " Hinemoa " to Samoa, we still pressed our views on the Colonial Office, through His Excellency the Governor and you, it is not necessary I should here relate. 11. We further learned that, after this treaty or convention had been signed, King Malietoa wrote to the British Consul at Apia, E. B. Churchward, Esq. a letter protesting against it, and stating that it had only been agreed to for the sake of present peace. 12. The substance of this intelligence was communicated to you, by telegram. The Hon. Mr. Service, Premier of Victoria, was also, as Chairman of the Intercolonial Convention Committee, informed by us of the news we had received, and the steps we had taken and proposed to take : so that it could not be said New Zealand was acting without the knowledge of the other Colonies, with respect to anything that was being done regarding the Pacific. 13. Although Lord Derby objected to the "Hinemoa" being despatched to Samoa, we learned <,iiat H.M.S. " Miranda " had been sent from Sydney to Apia, to ascertain what was taking place in Samoa. You will doubtless have heard that—either through want of proper preparation, or because
Appendix I,
Appendix 11.
Printed in A.-3. 1884, Session I. p, 136.
Appendix 111,
Appendix IV
* One reason for sending such a message was, that we knew the Colonial Office was always adverse to any annexation that would involve Imperial expenditure ; and that the ground stated by Earl Grey, so far back as 1848, for refusing to annex Fiji and the Friendly Islands, was the cost that would be involved.—(See A.-4, Session I. 1884, p. 95.)
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she had to leave in great haste—she seemed not to be capable of making a quick passage; and that it took her twenty-two days to reach Apia. When she arrived there, the King and the Samoan people —who had been looking very anxiously for the arrival of a British man-of-war to protect them—discovered that the Captain of the " Miranda " had no power to do anything. This caused great grief to the Samoans, who seem to have been in daily terror that their country would be annexed by Germany. The " Miranda " remained a few days at Apia, and her presence there appeared to have a good effect: because those who were hostile to the existing Government seemed content not to make any demonstrations against it, so long as she was in the harbour. She left Samoa, went to Fiji, and thence proceeded to Sydney; but we have not been informed of any result arising from her mission, nor what report her Captain has sent to the Colonial Office or to the Admiralty. • 14. Affairs in Samoa, since the "Miranda" left the group, seem to have been in a state of unrest. The King and his people are very much distressed by the attitude assumed by the Acting German Consul, Mr. Weber. 15. I think it well here to state shortly the relations that have existed between Great Britain, Germany, and the United States, as to Samoa, in order that you may more clearly understand the attitude of the German Consul since the forced treaty or convention with Germany. In 1879, several treaties or conventions were made by Samoa with the Powers I have named. There was a treaty of friendship between Her Majesty the Queen and the King, and other agreements betweenllis Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Germany and the King. There was also a convention entered into as to the government of the town and district of Apia, which created Apia a municipality, and gave certain rights and powers to the three Governments already mentioned, and to their subjects. In addition, there was an agreement between the three Consuls and the King, guaranteeing support to Malietoa, as the head of the Government. These several documents are of interest, and copies are appended, for convenience of reference. After the " Miranda " left, the information received here shows that various articles of the treaties were ignored by the German Consul. To give an example. A correspondent writes : — " The other day the King wrote to the three Consuls, stating that some of his scouts had brought in word that the rebels were about to attack the Government, and, in consequence, he wished to be relieved from that clause of the convention which prohibits all assemblages of armed men within the neutral boundaries. The houses where the King and Government live are within these.: hence the necessity for permission to assemble a protective force. There is also a supplementary note to the convention, which gives the King power, under certain circumstances, of dispensing with the prohibitory clause. Both the American and British Consuls considered that, under existing circumstances, the King would be perfectly justified in collecting a sufficient number of armed men to protect himself and Government: but the German Consul, pursuing his usual tactics, thought differently, and told the King if he assembled an armed force, he would disperse them by force, if necessary. As he is the only Consul who has the services of a man-of-war at his command, he can, and does, do very much as he likes." 16. The last letter we have received from Samoa is dated February 24th. We are, of course, .not aware what has happened there since then : but from what we know it is perfectly clear that the treaties or conventions made in 1879 have not been respected by the Acting German Consul—that the power and authority of the King of Samoa have been weakened —and that the Samoans are living in daily dread that their beautiful islands will become German possessions. 17. From the information forwarded to us from the Colonial Office, and by yourself, it seems useless for us to press upon the Imperial Government the desirableness of yielding to the prayer of the petition from the King and people of Samoa. I may, however, point out —in order that you may, should circumstances warrant you in so doing, urge this view upon the Colonial Office —that this request for the annexation of Samoa differs entirely from almost every other request made to the Colonial Office from other parts of the Pacific. There has been recognized in Samoa, by Great Britain, by Germany, and by the United States, a King and a Parliament: for thero is provision in Article 3, of the German treaty dated December 23, 1879, for the creation of what may be termed two Houses of Parliament. Each Province is to appoint two Chiefs called Taimua, and also to appoint Faipule, the one answering to our second Chamber, and the other to our first. If, then, a State at all events somewhit civilized, and with a Government recognized by two European Powers and by the United States of i\merica, desires to cede its territory to Great Britain, what objection can fairly be raised to such a proceeding? If the treaty or convention made with Germany provided that Samoa was to remain neutral territory, and that the King and Government should not be at liberty to cede its sovereignty to any foreign Power, no doubt Germany might have reason for objecting to any such cession: though there is not wanting authority to show that such a treaty or convention might be deemed transient in its character. The position taken up by Count Gavour respecting the annexation of Savoy, is strongly to the point. There is nothing in any treaty with Germany which limits, in the slightest degree, the power of the King and people of Samoa to make treaties with other nations, or interferes with their right to yield up, if they please, the sovereignty of their islands. The question involved is quite distinct from that, for example, raised by Switzerland, when the annexation of Savoy to France was being discussed. Then, amongst other contentions, it was urged that the defence of Switzerland would be weakened_ by the annexation; and, therefore, that the Helvetian Eepublic had a right to ask that the provisions of the treaty of 1815 should be regarded. But can it, as a ground for Germany's contention, be pretended that there is any possibility of the German Empire, as concerns defence or otherwise, being affected by the annexation of Samoa? If it should be argued, that the King has no power to enter into arrangements with, or cede any rights of sovereignty to, Great Britain, I apprehend that the same contention would be valid as against the right to make the treaty or convention made with Germany on the 10th of November, 1884. It is clear, from this treaty, that the King of Samoa did cede to Germany some of the rights of sovereignty he possessed; and that he ceded them in
Appendix V. Appendix VI. Appendix VII.
Appendix VIII
Appendix IX,
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such a way as to interfere with the rights of subjects of Great Britain and of the United States, under existing treaties with those Powers. Moreover, this last treaty or convention with Germany was made by the King without consulting the Parliament of Samoa or the leading Chiefs : in fact, it was extorted from the King under pressure, and is in opposition to'the general feeling of the Samoan people. The request for annexation to Great Britain, on the other hand, cornea spontaneously from the King, Chiefs, and people. 18. Unless, therefore, there has been some treaty or arrangement come to between Great Britain and Germany to make Samoa neutral territory—or unless it can be shown that annexation as now asked for would be an injury to the German Empire—l cannot see how Great Britain can refuse to accede to the prayer of the petition forwarded to Her Majesty. 19. The extracts from the German White-book you were good enough to forward with your letter of December 31st, containing reports by Dr. Stuebel, to the German Colonial Office, show that the only desire of Germany in obtaining possession of Pacific Islands is to further German trade : he says that if Germany does not appoint a larger number of Consular Officers, and arrange for a demonstration of power by warships, &c. in the Pacific, German trade will _be^ weakened. I need not remind you that a differential tariff has never been imposed in any British Colony— goods from Great Britain are subject to the same Customs duties as goods from Germany. In New Zealand, as well as in the Australian Colonies generally, there are representatives of German houses, dealing solely in German goods. I believe that trade with continental houses is increasing in New Zealand. French and Belgian houses, as well as those; of Germany, are sending representatives to these Colonies to seek for trade. If it could be shown that the annexation of Samoa, as prayed for, could by any possibility prevent Germans trading with those Islands, there might be some force in what Dr. Stuebel urges. As a fact, however, were Samoa annexed to-morrow, there would be no interference whatever with German trade or plantations. The policy of New Zealand has been to encourage settlers of all nationalities. We have here, as you are aware, special German and Scandinavian settlements; and many of the other colonies have given to foreigners like facilities. Unless, then, German trade can only exist by obtaining a monopoly, or enjoying undue advantages as compared with other traders, it would not bo in the slightest degree affected in the Pacific by the annexation of the Samoan group. If there were any chance of injury being done to German trade or plantations, Germany would have the right to ask that, in the annexation of Samoa, the rights of German subjects should be preserved; and, so far as New Zealand is concerned, if the Colonial Office would only consent to the annexation on such conditions, we should do all we could to loyally fulfil them. 20. It is true, as Dr. Stuebel has remarked, that German trade with Samoa has increased. The numbers of British and foreign vessels that visited Samoa are reported asBritish. Tons. Foreign. Tons. In 1867 ■... 26 5,951 ... 31 3,800 1868 ... 34 8,038 ... 29 6,947 1883 ... 16 ... ... 45 Of the 29 foreign vessels, in 1868, 5, of 3,072 tons, belonged to the United States, and 24, of 3,875 tons, to Germany; while in 1883, 36 of the foreign vessels were German, and 9 American. The explanation of this large development of German trade is not, however, difficult to discover. In the report for 1883, of Mr. Churchward, the British Consul at Apia, there is this significant passage: — " Only two labour ships arrived during the year, with about 120 labourers, but none were_ returned to their homes. Great numbers of the foreign labourers working on the German plantations are long over their contract dates, without any steps being taken to return them. This, of course, militates effectually against the procuration of more labour from the places these men come from, whether for German or any other people requiring them in Samoa. British subjects wishing to follow pursuits requiring labour, are at present unable to engage in them, not being allowed to import Polynesians until regulations are issued concerning recruiting and use of such labour in countries like Samoa, not under British rule." The German planters have not been compelled to fulfil their contracts with their labourers, while British planters have not even been permitted to engage any. How carefully the interests of German merchants and planters are guarded, will be seen if the number of war-ships that visit the group is noted. In 1882, seven .war-vessels visited the port of Apia: four of them being German, and the other three respectively British, American, and French ; and, doubtless, the disproportion would be shown to be greater were statistics for 1883 and 1884 available. The fact is, that the German Government seems to lose no opportunity of aiding its merchants and planters in the development of their commercial enterprises, whilst the British Government does nothing in that direction. Were it not for the enterprise of some New Zealand firms, it may be doubted whether there would be any trade between British Possessions and the Samoan group. 21. It is scarcely necessary I should say to you, that although New Zealand and the Australian Colonies have never sought the proclamation of a Munroe doctrine for the Pacific, yet that, looking to the future, neither we nor they desire to see the Pacific become the place in which European quarrels are to be fought out: and there is good ground for fearing that, if the Islands of the Pacific are allowed to be treated by foreign nations as coaling-depots and trading-stations merely, there will be danger of such a result. So far as French possessions in the Pacific are concerned, we are threatened with even further evils, namely, the making of them depdts for French criminals. We venture to hope, however, from what is taking place in France, and from the great efforts you yourself have used to prevent such a catastrophe, that the French nation will come to see that to make their colonial possessions convict depots, is to destroy them as colonies, and to render them useless for foreign trade. 22. On receiving your telegram respecting the'probability of Germany proposing to surrender
Appendix X,
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what she had taken of New Guinea, if Samoa were given up to her, I telegraphed directing you to protest strongly against any such arrangement. I also, on February 6th, sent the following message to the Premiers of Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland, and. to Hon. Mr. Dalley, who was acting during the absence of Hon. Mr. Stuart, the Premier of New South Wales: — " Have received message from our Agent-General, that probably proposal will be made by Germany to give up claims to New Guinea, in exchange for Samoa. We protest most strongly against this proposal; and hope you will also instruct your Agent-General to do so, as, if carried out, the control of the Central Pacific will vest in Germany." Hon. Mr. Service replied that he had instructed the Victorian Agent-General to heartily support you, in protesting against any such exchange; and he added that, in his opinion, it was deplorable such a thing should ever have been thought of. From South Australia, we received assurances of general agreement with Victoria and New Zealand. The Queensland Government instructed their Agent-General to make urgent representations to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that it was of the greatest importance effect should be given to the resolutions passed by the Convention, and that any further departure from those resolutions, with respect to the New Hebrides, Samoa, or Tonga, would cause much dissatisfaction to the Australian Colonies. The reply of Hon. Mr. Dalley was — " Have received no official information of German proposals concerning Samoa, and deem it premature to base protest upon rumors: but, if report be true, we are unable to agree with your view of the situation." This reply of New South Wales seemed to us, to say the least, very peculiar, considering how we helped the Australian Colonies with regard to New Guinea, and after our agreeing to pay our share of the £15,000 required for the purposes of the New Guinea Protectorate. You are well aware that the acquisition of New Guinea by Great Britain was of little or no importance to New Zealand, from a trade point of view, or indeed from any other, save as regards keeping the Pacific free from European complications or their effects. However, in this respect, as well as in some others, New South Wales seems to stand alone ; and we trust that, if this matter should be mentioned again, you will very clearly point out to the Colonial Office that the acquisition of Samoa, and of the other Islands of the Central Pacific, is of as much moment to New Zealand, as the possession of any part of New Guinea can be to Australia. 23. We are not yet aware what is likely to be done with respect to Samoa. If, from foreign relationships, or from questions of expediency or relating to the policy of the British Empire, it is not deemed desirable to annex the group, we hope that some treaty or convention will be agreed to between Great Britain, Germany, and the United States, that will preserve Samoa as neutral territory. It is perfectly clear to us, that Germany has obtained an ascendancy there during the last two or three months; and that, should the King's authority be consequently weakened, there will be danger of civil war in Samoa. Should such happen, and no treaty or convention of the kind indicated have been come to, Germany may claim the right to further interfere—nominally for the protection of its interests in the group, but it would really mean, that Samoa w Tas to become a German possession. We look to the British Government to prevent this. We have offered, as you are aware, to pay the full cost, and to undertake the full responsibility, of managing Samoa. We ask nothing from the British Government, except that she will yield to the joint representations of the Samoan King and people, and of ourselves, and proclaim that Samoa is part of the British Empire. If this cannot be obtained, because of diplomatic engagements, we again urge upon you to represent to the Colonial Office the absolute necessity of some such treaty or convention between the three Powers as I have indicated, and the urgent need there is of keeping one or two men-of-war in the Central Pacific, continually cruising amongst the Islands, and visiting them occasionally. Germany has done this; and haß thereby, in some respects, succeeded in overawing the people. We do not think it creditable to the British nation, that the islanders of the Pacific should be taught that Germany is the more powerful State, and that Great Britain is unable to help them in their difficulties. 24. I desire to say, in conclusion, that no decision has yet been communicated to us, as to whether the Confederation and Annexation Bill passed by the New Zealand Parliament in 1883, is to be assented to by Her Majesty. The reason stated by Lord Derby for not tendering advice on the subject was, that he desired to wait until the question of Australasian federation was settled. We cannot understand what the Bill has to do with such federation, seeing that if it were completed to-morrow, the Federal Council would certainly not attempt to interfere with Samoa or its affairs : but we do urge, more strongly than we have before done, that the group ought to become part of the British Empire. I have, &c, Sir F. Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G. Bobekt Stout. Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
Postcript. —After the foregoing letter had been written, I received important documents relating to Samoa. They are : — (I.) Letter from Mr. John Lundon (who has just returned to Auckland, from the group), stating what has recently happened there, and what he believes will happen, unless Samoa is at once annexed to New Zealand. (II.) Copy, and translation, of an Act passed by the Samoan Parliament, for giving effect to such annexation, and appointing Sir G. Grey and Mr. Lundon, agents, with full powers to complete arrangements therefor. (III.) Letter, and translation, from King Malietoa to myself, relative to the Act, &c. and urging that effect be at once given to it. 4—A. 4d.
Appendix XI.
Appendix XII.
Appendix XIII.
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2. I telegraphed to you on the 20th instant, as soon as I received these documents :—• " Samoan Parliament passed Act annexing Samoa to New Zealand. Have received Act. Inform Colonial Office." . 3. I do not think I am called upon to comment on the importance of the position which these documents disclose. Unless there is to be a new departure as regards the foreign policy of the Empire, the Imperial Government can hardly refuse to consent to receive what the Samoan islanders offer. We cannot here believe that the British nation is not to annex any territory, unless its so doing receives the sanction of the great statesman who rules the destinies of Germany. B. S. [For Appendices see end of Correspondence.]
No. 64. The Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. Samoan Parliament passed Act annexing Samoa to New Zealand. Have received Act. Inform Colonial Office. 20th March, 1885. _ Eobeet Stout.
No. 6 The Agent-Geneeal to the Pbemiee. Sir,— 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 21st March, 1885. _ I transmit to you herewith a report of what passed in the House of Commons last night when Mr. Bedmond, M.P., put certain questions to Mr. Gladstone relating to New Guinea. Mr. Gladstone, in answering the questions, said that it was impossible to do more than consult the wishes of the Australian Governments in the negotiations with foreign countries; that Her Majesty's 'Government would endeavour to secure the interests of the colonies as well as they could, and had, with regard to New Guinea, endeavoured to secure fair consideration for them ; but that it would' not be possible to give any undertaking that before further negotiations took place the Government would undertake to consult the views of the colonies. Mr. Bedmond thereupon gave notice that he would, on a future day, call attention to the injustice Australia had suffered by Germany being allowed to hoist her flag over any part of New I also annex a report of a question put by Mr. Gorst as to the hoisting of the German flag in Samoa, to which Lord Edmond Fitzmaurice answered that no information of that kind had reached the Foreign Office. You will observe, however, from the annexed extracts from other papers, that an account of the hoisting of the German flag at Apia had been received at Berlin ; but it was not believed there that the German Government would indorse the action of their naval commander. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F- D- Bell.
Enclosure 1. [The Times, Saturday, 21st March, 1885.] House of Commons, Friday, 20th March. New Guinea. Me. W. Bedmond asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether Her Majesty's Government had agreed to the annexation by Germany of certain portions of the island of New Guinea; whether the Colony of Queensland was anxious to obtain possession of these same portions of that island ; and whether Her Majesty's Government, in the negotiations with Germany about this matter, consulted the wishes and views of the Government of Queensland. _ _ Mr. Gladstone. —The question of the honourable member invites some verbal criticism. There have been no annexations by Germany in New Guinea, and Germany has not declared its intention of proceeding in that method. They have proceeded rather by the proclamation of a protectorate. The question assumes that the Colony of Queensland has indicated m some particular manner a desire to obtain those portions of New Guinea which have been made the subject of a protectorate by Germany. But Queensland did not indicate any such intention. What has happened is this : that the Government authorities did contemplate and did what lay in them to proclaim the annexation of the whole of the non-Dutch portion of New Guinea, without distinguishing between one part and another. Then, the honourable member asks whether, in their negotiations with Germany, Her Majesty's Government consulted the wishes and views of the Government of Queensland. My answer is, that there have been communications between the Colonial Office and the authorities connected with the different colonies, and not with the Government of Queensland exclusively, which has no peculiar or exclusive title to be heard m the matter. But it is impossible to do more than consult the wishes of these Governments. In our transactions with foreign countries we must endeavour to secure the interests of the coloniesas well as we can; and, with regard to New Guinea, we have endeavoured to secure fair consideration Mr. W. Bedmond asked whether, before further annexations by Germany, the Government would undertake to consult the views of the Governments of the interested Australian colonies. Mr. Gladstone replied that it would not be possible to give an undertaking of that kind. Mr. W. Bedmond gave notice that he would, on a future day, call attention to the extreme
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injustice practised on the Australian people by the Government, in allowing Germany to hoist her flag over portions of New Guinea to which Queensland had made previous claims. Samoa. Mr. Goest asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he could contradict a statement which appeared in some of the papers that morning that the Germans had hoisted their flag in the Island of Samoa. . Lord B. Fitzmaueicb. —No such information has reached the Foreign Office.
Enclosure 2. [The Standard, 20th March, 1885.] Geeman Colonial Policy. (From our Correspondent.) Berlin, Thursday night. The news that a Hamburg merchant had purchased extensive territories at Lagos is believed to be true, but it is not believed that the German flag has been hoisted there, as that would be contrary to the recent Anglo-German understanding regarding the Cameroons territory. A letter from an officer of the German ship " Albatross " has been received confirming the news that Germany had, as a precaution, seized that portion of the Samoa Islands known as " municipal territory," because King Malietoa, in spite of repeated demands, had not carried out the obligations he had entered into towards Germany. The German flag had been hoisted on the 23rd January and was still floating when the letter was despatched, a week later. There is a probability of an early outbreak of civil war on the islands, as King Malietoa has a powerful adversary in the chief of the island of Sawai, who, it is thought, may overthrow him. [The Daily News, 20tix March, 1885.] Geemany and the Samoan Islands. (From our Correspondent.) Berlin, Thursday night. Advices from the Samoan Islands down to the 3rd February received here give details regarding the recent hoisting of the German flag at Apia. On the 23rd of January a detachment of sailors landed from the German cruiser " Albatross " and took possession of what is called " municipal territory," on which a flagstaff was erected and the flag hoisted. A small stockade surrounded by a ditch was also built, which is still held by a guard. It is stated that the refusal of Malietoa, the King of Samoa, to fulfil certain engagements entered into three years ago with the German Consul is the reason for this act, which has been notified to the British and American Consuls. It is not believed here that the German Government will indorse the German commander's action.
No. 66. Mr. John Lundon to the Peemiee. g IB Onehunga, 25th March, 1885. I herewith send you the copies of letters and declaration as mentioned in my letter of the 16th instant (Appendix XI. to letter from Premier to Agent-General, 19th March, 1885)— namely, one to Sir George Grey from King Malietoa, dated the 10th February (A.-l, No. 50), also one to myself on the same date; of one to me dated the 16th February, and of the one written to Sir George Grey and myself jointly, dated the 17th February, the last copy being that of the declaration of the two interpreters. _ I beg again to remind you that the mail leaves here for Samoa on Tuesday next at one o clock, and that, by your taking immediate action regarding those letters, it may be the saving of many lives, and may, I believe, stop rebellion. I have, &c, The Hon. Robert Stout, Premier. John Lundon.
Enclosure 1. [See Despatch No. 50, from Governor to Secretary of State, A.-l, 1885.]
Enclosure 2. The King of Samoa to Mr. John Lundon. g IB Apia, Samoa, 10th February, 1885. You are aware of the action that I and my Government have taken lately with reference to the annexation of Samoa to New Zealand, and that by your desire my Government has passed a Bill for that purpose. I and my people are intrusting the members of the deputation to your care until they return to Samoa. We all desire that you will act and give your advice in connection with our Bill, as you know all our difficulties and troubles here with M. Weber and the large German firm ; as my people and Government have great confidence in you, and we feel sure that you will leave nothing undone that can be done to annex Samoa to New Zealand and to extricate us from our German enemies; and I and my people will pray for your success and a long stay amongst us. Your friend, Malietoa, Mr, John Lundon, Samoa, King of Samoa,
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Enclosure 3. The King of Samoa to Mr. John Lundon. Apia, Samoa, 16th February, 1885. My love to you, and the love of all my Government and the Samoan people. The reason I write you this letter is to let you know that the deputation of the Samoan Parliament is not going to New Zealand this time, for the English Consul has asked me not to send them to New Zealand just yet, and that the mail has brought news that America, Germany, and England are to meet and^ settle about Samoa and annexation; and that the man-of-war, the " Miranda," has left here for Fiji, and that she is to be back with two others in eight or nine days from now. The English Consul has sent me this message this evening, by Leapai, when the deputation was all ready to go on board. You must not be disappointed or angry with us for taking the English Consul's advice, as we are weak, and want his and the Queen's assistance. I will prepare a letter for Sir George Grey and yourself to act as our agents with the New Zealand Government in accordance with our Bill, which we passed on the 9th instant, annexing ourselves to New Zealand ; and I pray God to protect you and bring you safe back to Samoa, for I and my people will be anxious to see you, and know from you and the New Zealand Government the result of our Bill. No more from your friend (1.5.) Malietoa, King of Samoa.
Enclosure 4. Declaration of Inteepeetees. Apia, Samoa, 16th February, 1885. We, the undersigned, can read and write the Samoan language, and have been acting as interpreters between Mr. J. Lundon and the Samoan Parliament and King Malietoa during the last eight days. We feel sure that the King and his Government were very desirous to send a deputation to Auckland, New Zealand, to confer with the Government there re annexation. But the King and the Samoan Parliament, through us, told Mr. Lundon that the English Consul said he would be very angry if a deputation was sent to New Zealand, and that the Queen's protection, with that of the other Powers, would make Samoa an independent colony like Fiji, which they did not want, and that the man-of-war, the " Miranda," would be back in a short time with news for them ; and that they were not to go until she returned. Lanati, Speaker of the House, said to the Consul that they had passed a law annexing Samoa to New Zealand, and that they had written to the Government saying they were going up, and that they told him if they did not go, it would look as if they had lied. The English Consul advised them not to go, and said, " Never mind the letters and papers, let them take their chances." This took place on Saturday morning, the 14th February, in the English Consul's office : present, Lanati, Speaker of the Parliament, and Taliava. The above is a true and correct statement. W. H. Yandall. S. V. McKenzie. Yandall, Late Interpreter to the Municipality Court at Apia. Witnesses : Lanati, his x mark. (1.5.) Malietoa le Tupu, o Samoa. W. H. Yandall.
Enclosure 5. The King of Samoa to Sir Geobge Geey and Mr. John Lundon. Gentlemen,— Apia, Samoa, 17th February, 1885. This is my authority to you both, or either of you, to act on behalf of me and my Government as my or our agents for the purpose of arranging with the Government of New Zealand to give full force to our Annexation Act of the 9th instant, which my Government passed unanimously ; and that Sir George Grey and Mr. John Lundon have all the power that the Annexation Bill gives the deputation to sign and seal all papers that may be necessary to give force to our Annexation Bill, and to have all powers that clause 2 of that Bill gives to the deputation and Signed and sealed in the presence of Lanati, Speaker of the Parliament, and William Hill Yandall. ____ __
No. 67. The Agent-General to the Peemiee. Samoa. Pledges to Germany prevent allowing Samoan Act have effect. 26th March, 1885. F- D. Bell.
No. 68. The Premieb to the Agbnt-Genebal. Sir,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 28th March, 1885. Since I wrote you on the Samoan question I have received copy of the despatch forwarded by His Excellency the Governor to the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the 31st January. In case the despatch may not have been published, I herewith send you a copy. I have not thought it necessary to forward copies of the documents referred to in the despatch. I have, &c, Bobeet Stout, Sir F, Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., Agent-General for New Zealand, London.
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No. 69. The Agent-Geneeal to the Peemiee. Samoa. Colonial Office allows me to say privately with German negotiation endeavour make proposal Bismarck. Please instruct your views. London, 28th March, 1885. Bell.
No. 70. The Peemiee to the Agent-Geneeal. Oue views—Get Samoa annexed. 30th March, 1885. Eobeet Stout.
No. 71. The Peemiee to the Agent-Genebal. Sic,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 31st March, 1885. After my letter of 19th March re Samoa had been posted, I had the honour to receive No. 63. your telegram respecting negotiations with the representative of Germany and a reply was sent to No. 70. you as soon as the whole matter had been considered by the Cabinet. 2. If you should be unable to secure that effect shall be given to our wish, as stated in that reply, namely, that Samoa shall be annexed by Great Britain, we think it will be impossible to arrive at any satisfactory arrangement with Germany in London. 3. A satisfactory convention can only be drawn up on the spot, in Samoa, because, in order to prepare it, those; charged with the duty would have to make themselves acquainted with the real nature of the German, British, and American interests at stake. There are also large claims to land in the group, made by several persons. These claims will, in the not distant future, cause considerable trouble, and it is of great importance that what they are should be clearly understood. 4. We think, therefore, that, failing annexation, you might be able to induce the Colonial Office and the representatives of Germany to agree to a new convention or treaty being framed as between the King of Samoa and the three nationalities at present interested in the islands. The terms of such an agreement might be settled by the British Consul, the German Consul (M. Weber), the Consular Agent for the United States, and some representative of New Zealand. Of course ratification by the Imperial authorities of Great Britain and Germany, and by the President of the United States, would be necessary. It seems to us, however, that this would be the only way in which any fair arrangement could be arrived at, as there are circumstances and interests involved which cannot be defined, or perhaps understood, except by persons empowered to inquire on the spot. 5. I have not thought it necessary to telegraph to you on this matter at present, as it might geem, if we demanded the right to endeavour to make such a convention as I have indicated, that we were opposed to your entering into negatiations. We wait, therefore, to learn how you succeed, and what counter-proposals the German Government may make, and probably, on receipt of such information, we may telegraph to you shortly the purport of this letter. 6. I may again remind you of the attitude assumed by Germany as shown by the recent White Book respecting the Pacific with regard to the Tongan group ; and I must urge you, in any negotiations in which you may- take part, not to allow it to be possibly understood that that group is not to remain internationalized. This is of immense importance to New Zealand. 7. I am replying to the letter from King Malietoa, by informing him that negotiations are taking place between the German and British Governments, and that the results shall be communicated to him. I am adding that, so far as we can assist him in his efforts to obtain the annexation of Samoa to Great Britain, he may be assured of our constant and hearty support. Sir F. Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., I have, &c, Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Eobeet Stout.
No. 72. The Pbemieb, New Zealand, to the King of Samoa. Sice, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 2nd April, 1885. I had very great pleasure in receiving the letter dated 10th February* which your Majesty did me the honour to write, and which was brought to New Zealand by Mr. John Lundon. 2. I am not able to take any steps to give effect to the Act passed by the Parliament of Samoa for the annexation of the group to New Zealand (a copy of which Act I also received through Mr. Lundon), because negotiations are going on between Great Britain and Germany. The end of these negotiations must be waited for, and I will inform your Majesty as soon as I can what has been done. 3. We agree with you in wishing for annexation by Great Britain. Supposing, however, that that should not be secured, I do not doubt but that your Majesty's authority will be maintained and Samoa continue an independent State; but I still hope that the prayer of the petition from your Majesty and your people to Her Majesty Queen Victoria may be favourably considered, and your Majesty may rest assured that your efforts to obtain annexation to Great Britain will receive our constant and hearty support. I have, &c, Egbert Stout, To Malietoa, King of Samoa. Premier.
* Appendix XIII. to the letter from the Premier to the Agent-General, 19th March, 1885, No. 63.
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No. 73. The Agent-Geneeal to the Prhmieb. Samoa Conference closing; result doubtful; am trying to keep question open. 3rd April, 1884. F. D. Bell.
No. 74. The Agent-Geneeal to the Premieb. Samoa Conference, Krauel. Not slightest chance German entertain any proposal for New Zealand annexing. London, 4th April, 1885. F. D. Bell.
No. 75. The Premier to Mr. John Lukdon. Sir, — Premier's Office, Wellington, sth April, 1885. I am directed by the Premier to acknowledge his receipt of your letter of the 25th March, enclosing copies of letters, &c, relating to Samoa. I am also to forward copy of a letter to King Malietoa, which was posted last evening. I have, &c., John Lundon, Esq., Onehunga. E. Fox.
No. 66. No. 72,
No. 76. The Premier to the Agent-General. Samoa. Can you arrange conference Apia between Consuls and New Zealand representatives arrange new convention. State have no feeling hostility Germany. 7th April, 1885. Eobert Stout.
No. 77. The Agent-General to the Premier. Samoa. Germany would not consent conference Apia, but I think new convention might be arranged here, while Kranel, Thurston, negotiating if Government approve of proposal to do so. 15th April, 1885. F. D. Bell.
No. 78. The Secretary of State to Governor Sir W. F. D. Jeevois, G.C.M.G., C.B. Sib,— Downing Street, 15th April, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 20, of the 31st of January last, with its enclosures, respecting the proposed annexation of Samoa. Her Majesty's Government have given very careful consideration to the wishes and representations of the New Zealand Government, and are quite satisfied that they would have been able to make good arrangements for administering these islands if it had been possible to entertain the proposal for their annexation by this country. It was, however, not possible to avoid the conclusion that, even if there were not in existence an explicit understanding with the German Government that neither country should annex the Navigators' and Friendly Islands, the extent of German interests in them would preclude Her Majesty's Government from advising that measure unless with the full concurrence of the German Government. The number of German subjects in the Navigators, and the bulk of German trade, are reported to be largely in excess (nearly double) of the British population and trade, and Her Majesty's Government cannon but feel confident that the Government of New Zealand will appreciate the importance, no less to Australasia than to other parts of the Empire, of recognizing frankly the good claims of a great friendly Power, and of co-operating effectively with Germany in the protection and development of European trade in those places in which either country has such established interests as may preclude the establishment within it of the sovereignty of the other. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., &c. Derby.
A.-L, No. 25,
No. 79. The Agent-Genebal to the Pkemibb. Sib, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 20th April, 1885. Upon conferring at the Colonial Office respecting your proposal that a meeting should take place at Apia, between the Consuls of Germany, England, and America, and representatives to be sent from New Zealand, for the purpose of arranging a new convention for Samoa, I learnt that there was no chance of Germany consenting to a conference taking place on the spot, but that a new convention might perhaps be arranged here (in London), while the German ConsulGeneral (Dr. Kranel) and Mr. Thurston were negotiating upon other questions. I therefore
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telegraphed to you to that effect (copy enclosed), and am waiting to hear in reply whether you No. 77. would approve of such a course. The Colonial Office desired me to send in a formal proposal on the subject, and I shall do so as soon as I hear from you. I have, &c, The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.
No. 80. The Secretary of State to Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.B. Sib, — Downing Street, 22nd April, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your despatch No. 29, of the 20th of A.-1., No. 29. February last, enclosing a letter which you had received from the King of Samoa, with other papers relating to recent events which have taken place there. The views of Her Majesty's Government in regard to Samoa, are explained in the despatch which I have recently addressed to you in reply to yours, No. 20, of the 31st of January, as well as in the despatch which I addressed to the Acting High Commissioner of the Western Pacific, dated the 17th of February last, a copy of which I communicated to you in one of the same date, A.-2., No. 38. to which despatches I now beg to refer you. I have, &c, Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, G.M.C.G., C.B. &c. Derby.
No. 81. The Premier to the Agent-General. Samoa. Consider useful Convention can only be made on spot. 28th April, 1885. Eobert Stout.
No. 82. The Agent-General to the Premier. Samoa. Am parleying Colonial Office. Krauel. 6th May, 1885. F. D. Bell.
No. 83. The Premier to the Agent-General. Sir, — Premier's Office, Wellington, sth June, 1885. I enclose for your information copy of a memorandum forwarded by Ministers to His j$ 0 45 Excellency the Governor relating to affairs in Tonga. There is no doubt urgent need of the attention of the Foreign and Colonial Offices to the subject, for, if affairs are not arranged, there is every probability of much trouble on the King's death. Though private information has been received by us from Tonga about affairs in the Friendly Group ; we, knowing the embittered feeling that now exists there, have not thought it proper to reproduce the statements of either party. We have no doubt that should the matter be mentioned you will be able to represent our views to the Colonial Office. I have, &c, Sir F. Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., Agent-General, &c. Eobert Stout.
No. 84. The Premier to the Agent-General. Sir, — Premier's Office, Wellington, sth June, 1885. Beferring to your letter of the 21st March last (No. 353), more particularly to that portion n O . 6§ relating to the hoisting of the German flag at Samoa, I have now the honour to enclose for your a-l n 51 information copy of a memorandum addressed by Ministers to His Excellency the Governor on the subject. Notwithstanding the want of information at the Foreign Office, the fact was as stated in the extracts from the newspapers which you enclosed. We trust that the present unsatisfactory position of Sanioan affairs will speedily be altered. I have, &c, Sir F. Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., Agent-General, &c. Eobert Stout.
No. 85. The Premier to the Agent-General. Sir, — Premier's Office, Wellington, sth June, 1885. pit 0 ;i . Since I wrote you on the subject of the hoisting of the German flag at Samoa His Excel- No. 80. lency the Governor has received a despatch from the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, from which it appears that under no circumstances can annexation be allowed. Under the circumstances, therefore, it does not appear that we can do anything further, at all events for the present. As regards the proposed new Convention referred to in your letter (No. 468) of the No, 79. 20th April, you will have gathered from my telegram of the 28th April that we are of opinion it No, 81, could only be arranged on the spot. I have, &c, Sir F. Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., Agent-General. Eobert Stout,
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No. 86. Ministers to His Excellency. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. Ministers have the honour to remark upon Despatches No. 19, of the 15th April, 1885, and No. 21, of the 22nd April, 1885, of the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies concerning Samoa. They have also perused the translation of the note of Count Miinster to Earl Granville dated the 28th January last, published in the Blue Book C.-4273, page 145. Eegarding Despatch No. 19, they think that having brought the position of Samoa prominently, before the Colonial Office, and Her Majesty's Government having come to an agreement with the Government of Germany to internationalize that group of islands, it is not necessary that they should make further remarks. They understand that they are to rely that the agreement entered into will secure the independence of Samoa and its sovereign. There is a passage in the note of Count Miinster to Earl Granville which Ministers consider they are called on to notice. The note ends thus : " The Imperial Government expect with confidence that the instructions now contemplated by the Eoyal British Government will also have the result of putting an end to the agitation for the same object which is instigated from New Zealand." So far as this colony is concerned, it was not the instigation of any movement for annexation in Samoa. There had been for years past a desire amongst the islanders to come under British rule. It is not necessary that the reasons for this desire should be given. The New Zealand Parliament passed an Act, which has not yet been assented to by Her Majesty, called the Confederation Act, allowing any islands to join New Zealand if they desired to do so. So far from New Zealand taking part in instigating Samoa in favour of annexation, it rather discouraged any movement of the sort. The present and the preceding Ministry alike refused to allow New Zealand colonists who were going to the islands to carry with them any official proposition or any statement to the recognized authorities in the islands that federation or annexation would be accepted. Ministers hope that it will be conveyed to the Government of Germany that they have no unfriendly feeling towards the subjects of that nation. German colonists have always been warmly welcomed in New Zealand, and a large trade is carried on with Germany. Further, Ministers venture to express the opinion that had Samoa been annexed to New Zealand, the interests of Germany and of Germans would have benefited by the change to the care of a stable Government which has always shown its high appreciation of German enterprise, and for a long time supplied free passages to German immigrants. Wellington, 15th July, 1885. Eobert Stout.
Nos. 78 and 80,
No. 46,
APPENDICES.
APPENDIX I. Petition to Her Majesty the Queen. Mulinuu, Samoa, sth November, 1884. To Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland. Your Majesty,— We, the King and Chiefs of Samoa, now write to your Majesty that you will grant this our humble request. Our King wrote nearly a year ago, begging your Majesty to take possession of Samoa, and we have waited anxiously for a reply, but have received none. Your Majesty, great is our respect for your Government, and we know that you will protect our people, and that they will be contented under your rule; and we therefore earnestly pray your Majesty to relieve us from our great anxiety and trouble by quickly extending your government over Samoa, and either making it a British colony, or allowing us to be governed by New Zealand. Your Majesty, our minds are full of trouble, and we are much afraid that other nations desire to take our country, against the wish of our people; and we therefore implore your Majesty to save us by granting our petition. We wish to make this clear to your Majesty, that we, the King and Chiefs, will give over our country to the Government of Great Britain; and we rely upon your Majesty to protect our people. We pray to God that He will bless your Majesty and Government. (1.5.) Malietoa, King of Samoa. Tupua, Vice-King. [Here follow the signatures of 48 Chiefs and members of the Government.]
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APPENDIX n. King Malietoa to Her Majesty. (Translation.) To Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland. Youe Majesty,— Mulinuu, 12th November, 1884. This is to make known to your Majesty, the King of Samoa and the Chiefs of these Islands have sent a petition to your Majesty, praying that you would set up your Government in We have sent that petition to the Governor of New Zealand, and have besought him to send a telegram to your Majesty and make known to your Majesty that he has received our petition. _ °We have informed your Majesty that painful anxiety has taken possession of our minds, because we are much afraid of Germany, lest she should take our Islands against our will. Your Majesty, we are in distress on account of the Government of Germany, lest they should take our Islands. Therefore, we have accepted another agreement with Germany. I wish to make it clear to your Majesty that, in consequence of this fear, I have accepted this Agreement against my own will, and likewise against the wish of my Government. I have accepted it on account of my fear, and have thought that, if your Government should be set up m these Islands, then that Agreement will be of no effect. I have entreated the British Consul here to make clear to your Majesty all the reasons ot our fear which have led us to accept this agreement, and to make clear to your Majesty the meaning of that agreement, and to inform your Majesty of the great regard of myself and Government tor your Majesty and the Government of Great Britain, and our great desire to give our Islands to the Government of your Majesty. I respect extremely the Government of your Majesty, and trust that speedily you will receive favourably our petition. I am. &c. Malietoa, King of Samoa.
APPENDIX 111. Agreement between Gebmany and Samoa. In order to secure for the German subjects residing in Samoa the advantages of a good government, and in conformity with Article VII. of the Treaty of Friendship between Germany and Samoa of the 24th January, 1879, the Acting German Consul for the South Sea Islands, and the King and ViceKing and the Government of Samoa, have agreed to the following: — Article I. A Gorman-Samoan State Council is hereby formed. The same is to consist of tho German Consul or his substitute; two Samoans, of whom one shall be appointed by the King and the other by the Vice-King, with the approval of the Taimuu and Faipuli; and two Germans, who shall be appointed by the German Consul. Article 11. The German-Samoan State Council shall discuss all laws and regulations, and decide whether the same are in conformity with the common interest of the Samoan Government and of the German subjects residing in Samoa. It shall espscially pass such laws as refer to the crimes of Samoans where a German subject, or a subject of any other State m German employ, or a coloured labourer in German service, or the property of such persons, have been injured thereby. The same regulation shall apply to crimes committed by coloured labourers in German employ. Article 111. The regulations passed by the German-Samoan State Council shall be published as laws by the King and Vice-King, under their signatures. . In the introductory shall be stated that the law is published after having previously been passed by the German-Samoan State Council. Article IV. Tho Kino- shall, in concert with the Gorman Consul, appoint a German officer in the Samoan Government. 0 The said officer shall be the Secretary and Adviser of the King in all matters concerning German subjects residing in Samoa. He shall exercise the functions of a German Judge, in all cases in which Germans residing in Samoa are interested, when the punishment to be inflicted does not exceed two years' imprisonment with hard labour: in concert with a Samoan Judge in cases where Samoans and coloured labourers have committed an injury against Samoans or Samoan property; alone in cases where coloured labourers have committed crimes among themselves. When more than two years' imprisonment with hard labour can be inflicted, the German Consul shall, in conjunction with a Samoan Judge, take upon himself the functions of Judge, or he may authorize the German official in the Samoan Government, or a third person, to act. Article V. In order to provide for convicts, in cases in which German subjects residing in Samoa are interested, a gaol shall be erected. Those sentenced to imprisonment with hard labour shall be held to proper work, the proceeds of which shall be applied to the defraying of the expense arising from the administration (of the gaol). The German officer in the Samoan Government shall have the supervision of the prison system. 5—A. 4d.
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Article VI. The King, in conjunction with the German Consul, shall appoint Police, who shall attend to the prison service and the security of the German plantations. The same shall be subject to the orders of the German officer in the Samoan Government. Article VII. The necessary expenses arising in consequence of this Agreement shall be defrayed out of the Court fees, fines, receipts from convict labour, and out of the taxes to be levied on the Germans interested. The control of this money shall be intrusted to a representative of the German taxpayers. The levying of such taxes, also the fixing of the amount of expenses, takes place through the German-Samoan State Council. Article VIII. This Agreement has immediate force, subject to the approval of the Imperial German Government. So long as this is not given, the payment of taxes cannot be demanded from German subjects. The Imperial German Government shall have the power to abrogate this Agreement, in which case it loses legal force after a lapse of six months. In testimony whereof we have herewith subscribed our signatures. Done in the Imperial Consulate at Apia, the 10th November, 1884. (Signed) Dr. Stuebel, Acting German Consul. (Signed) Malietoa. Theo. Webee, Witness. Lb Tupo o Samoa.
APPENDIX IV. The King of Samoa to the Beitish Consul, Apia. To W. B. Churchward, Esq., Acting British Consul. Sib, — Mulinuu, 12th November, 1884. I wish to inform your Excellency that I have written to Her Majesty, the Queen of Great Britain, and made known to Her Majesty our petition, which has been communicated to the Governor of New Zealand. It is mentioned in that letter that I have begged your Excellency to explain to Her Majesty everything that gave rise to my receiving the Agreement which was made last night with Germany, I and my Government having been much distressed lest our group of Islands should be taken by Germany. I wrote yesterday to the German Consul, to give me a copy of the Agreement he wished with me and my Government. The German Consul replied that he could not give me and my Government a copy. Then the whole Government met together and deliberated what was right to do; and it ended in our rejecting the Agreement, and it was not received. Notwithstanding that, our distress still continued. It was getting near the hour of night which was fixed for the meeting, and I walked on the road, when Tupua Tomasese came down. He spoke to me with distress, and told me that same bad story. I and Tomasese, bearing in mind the Agreement, were very anxious; and I said, "Let us both go down and receive the Agreement, in order that we may be at peace to-day; and let us wait for the decision of Great Britain." I beg your Excellency to make known to Her Majesty the great love of me and my Government for Great Britain. I hope Her Majesty will not bear in mind this Agreement with Germany. I am determined, when the Government of Her Majesty is in these Islands, then that Agreement shall end. Let not your Excellency be offended, but do make these things clear to Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain, and send this letter by the steamer at Tutuila. Malietoa, King of Samoa.
APPENDIX V. Tbeatt of Ebiendship, &c. between Her Majesty the Queen of Gbeat Bbitain and Ireland1 and the King and Govebmment (Malo) of Samoa. Her Majesty the Queen of the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the King and Government (Malo) of Samoa, being desirous to establish relations of friendship between their respective dominions and subjects, have resolved to conclude a Treaty for that purpose, and have therefore named, as their Plenipotentiaries,— Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, &c.— The Honourable Sir Arthur Hamilton Gordon, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and St. George, Her Majesty's High Commissioner and Consul-General for the Western Pacific, Governor of Fiji; and Alfred Percival Maudslay, Esquire, one of Her Majesty's Deputy Commissioners for the Western Pacific ; And the King and Government (Malo) of Samoa, — The High Chief Malietoa Laupepa ; and the High Chief Saga; who, after having communicated to each other their respective full powers, have agreed upon and concluded the following Articles:— Article I. There shall be perpetual peace and friendship between the subjects of Her Britannic Majesty and those of the Samoan State.
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Article 11. The King and Government (Malo) of Samoa engage to grant to no other Sovereign or State any rights, privileges, authority, or predominance in excess of such as are or may be accorded to Her Britannic Majesty. The subjects of Her Britannic Majesty shall always enjoy in Samoa whatever rights, privileges, or immunities may be accorded to those of the most favoured nation; and no rights, privileges, or immunities shall be granted to the subjects of any foreign State that shall not be equally and unconditionally accorded to the subjects of Her Britannic Majesty. Article 111. Full liberty for the free pursuit of commerce, trade, and agriculture is guaranteed to British subjects, as well as the peaceful possession of all lands heretofore purchased by them from Samoans in a customary and regular manner; and, in the event of any dispute arising as to the fact of such purchase, it shall be determined by a Commission, to consist of one person nominated by the Samoan Government (Malo) and one nominated by Her Britannic Majesty's Consul; and, in the event of their disagreement, they shall themselves select an umpire, or, if they fail to do so, such umpire shall be appointed by Her Majesty's Consul-General. All British subjects resident in Samoa shall be exempt from war contributions, military requisitions, and occupation of their houses and lands by war parties. Article IV. If any subject of Her Britannic Majesty in Samoa is charged with a criminal offence cognizable by British law, such shall be tried by Her Britannic Majesty's High Commissioner for the Western Pacific Islands, or other British officer duly authorized by Her Britannic Majesty in that behalf. The expression "British law," in this Article, includes any rules duly made and issued by Her Britannic Majesty's High Commissioner for the "Western Pacific Islands for the government of British subjects within his jurisdiction. Article V. Every civil suit which may be brought in Samoa against any subject of Her Britannic Majesty shall be brought before and shall be tried by Her Britannic Majesty's High Commissioner, or such other British officer duly authorized as aforesaid. Article VI. Every summons or warrant to appear as a witness before Her Britannic Majesty's High Commissioner, or such other British officer duly authorized as aforesaid, and directed to a Samoan subject, shall have the same authority and may be enforced in like manner as if such summons or warrant had been directed to a subject of Her Britannic Majesty. Article VII. Her Britannic Majesty engages to causa regulations to be issued to enforce the observance by British subjects of such of the existing municipal laws and police regulations of Samoa as may hereaffcsr be agreed upon by agreement between the Government of Her Britannic Majesty and that of the Samoan State, and for the due observance of quarantine by British subjects. Article VIII. Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain may, if she think fit, establish on the shores of a Samoan harbour, to be hereafter designated by Her Majesty, a naval station and coaling depot; but this Article shall not apply to the Harbours of Apia or Saluafata, or to that part of the Harbour of Pagopago which may be hereafter selected by the Government of the United States as a station, under the provisions of the treaty concluded between the United States of America and the Samoan Government on the seventeenth day of January, in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventyeight. Article IX. The present Treaty shall come into force from the date thereof, but shall again become null and of no effect, if not ratified within the proscribed period. Article X. The present Treaty, consisting of ten Articles, shall be ratified, and the ratification exchanged, at Apia, within one year from the date thereof. In witness whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the same, and have affixed thereto their seals. Done at Apia, the twenty-eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine. (1.5.) Arthur Gordon. (1.5.) Malietoa Laupepa. (1.5.) Alfred P. Maudslay. (1.5.) Saga Leauauna.
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APPENDIX VI. Teeaties made with Geemany. Apia, December, 15th, 1879. This day assembled at Apia, on board H.I.G.M.S. "Bismarck," the Samoan chiefs named in this document, and appointed, on the one side, by Saleaula, Leulumoega, and Lufi Lufii and their provinces, and the chiefs and representatives of their war-parties and adherents; and, on the other side, by the provinces of Manono, Faasaleleaga, Itu-o-fafine, and Tuamasaga, and the chiefs and representatives of their war-parties, and their adherents. They met on board H.I.G.M.S. " Bismarck," this being a neutral place, and they are appointed to deliberate about the proclamation of peace, in order to restore friendly relations and harmony in Samoa, and also to deliberate about other matters useful for the welfare of Samoa. They shall enter into a Treaty about the articles accepted of and agreed upon by them, and then sign the same, to ratify thereby the Treaty agreed upon. For this purpose have now been appointed, on the one side, by Saleaula, Leulumoega, and Lufi Lufi and their provinces, and the chiefs and representatives of their war-parties and their' adherents— 1. Matua ) o i i 5. Galu ) . 9. Leiataua Piliopo—Manono; 2. Lavea | Saleaula ; 6. Mamea f Aana ; 10. Samoa 1 Tuamasaffa . 3. Masua } 4 . 7. Meafaifua ) v , ~. 11. Lutu \ iuamasa^a • 4. Tafua J Atua; 8. Asiata f ; i 2. Alapa l» t ,, 13. Leaeno f iutuUa ' and, on the other side, by the provinces of Manono, Faasaleleaga, Itu-o-fafine, and Tuamasaga, and the chiefs and representatives of their war-parties, and their adherents, — 1. Sa'u ) ,«■ 5. Asiata ) -n i r 9. Saga Auauna )*„„„. cm ! r Manono: n T >• r Palauli; in m t r Aana; 2. Taupa v j 6. Lana aia j ' 10. Taefu ) 3. Faatuono ) -o i i 7. Tuiatafu) m 11. Leasio ) ~ , T ~ [ Faasaleleaga; Q n/r j. t I Tuamasaga; 1O T , \ Atua 4. Lauati j ° 8. Mataafa ) ° 12. Leota J who then agreed upon the following Articles: — Article I. The chiefs of both parties accept of the desire of Captain Deinhard, commanding H.I.G.M.S. " Bismarck," being the same as that of the Foreign Eepresentatives at Apia, to stop the war. Therefore, peace is now hereby proclaimed. There shall be no more war in Samoa, but peace and friendship shall henceforth be maintained by all the provinces and places of Samoa and their chiefs and people. If at any future day any disturbance should again arise, then a decision and peaceful settlement shall be attempted in an amicable way. All the chiefs and people of the war-parties shall return to their own places, and again turn to their peaceable and friendly occupations; and they shall obediently leave for their homes on that day which Captain Deinhard, commanding H.I.G.M.S. " Bismarck," shall appoint. Article 11. The chiefs of both parties do hereby again accept of and ratify all treaties made between Samoa and the great Governments of the United States, Germany, and Great Britain; especially, also, the Apia Municipality convention, which shall be valid from the day it was made. Article 111. Each province of Samoa shall appoint two chiefs to meet together (at such place as Captain Deinhard, commanding H.I.G.M.S. "Bismarck," may point out) to deliberate and turn their attention to a final settlement with regard to all matters concerning the Government of Samoa. They will also deliberate and agree upon an amicable settlement with regard to all Samoan property which was destroyed and plundered in this war by the war-parties of both sides. They will also deliberate about arrangements by which it will be possible for the minority of the people of one province, who dissented from the majority of the people of the same province, to return amicably to their province. They will also deliberate, together with the Foreign Eepresentatives at Apia, in order to make it possible to arrive at an amicable arrangement about all foreign property destroyed, plundered, and damaged in this war by the war-parties, and also about all points whereby the war-parties have trespassed upon the neutral territory. In case of a dispute between the chiefs and people of a province, because they cannot agree upon two chiefs to be appointed, Captain Deinhard, commanding H.I.G.M.S. " Bismarck," shall decide and point out the chiefs who are to be put aside and who are to remain. Captain Deinhard, commanding H.I.G.M.S. " Bismarck," shall have the right to transfer this arbitership to the Foreign Eepresentatives at Apia and make them his substitutes. Article IV. This Treaty shall be binding from the day on which it is signed by the chiefs'appointed on both sides; and it shall be put into the hands of Captain Deinhard, who will transmit it, at a later day, to the Foreign Eepresentatives at Apia for safe keeping; but each province of Samoa shall have the right to get a copy thereof, if they desire so. This Treaty has been signed and sealed by the chiefs nominated to make the same.
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Such was done in presence of such witnesses—namely, Captain Deinhard, Commanding H.I.G.M.S. "Bismarck," and Mr. Weber, Imperial German Consul, and Captain Chuden, Commanding H.I.G.M.S. "Nautilus," at Apia, on board H.I.G.M.S. "Bismarck," on this fifteenth day of December, in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine. (1.5.) (Signed) Ma (his x mark) tua. (d.s.) (Signed) Tau (his x mark) pa'u. „ Lavea. „ „ Faa (his x mark) tuono Masua. „ „ Lav (his x mark) ati. „ Ta (his x mark) fua. , „ Asi (his x mark) ata. „ Alipia Galu. , „ Lana (his x mark) aia. „ Le Mamea. „ „ Tuiatafu. „ Mea (his x mark) faifua. „ „ Mataafa. „ Asi (his x mark) ata. „ „ Saga le Auauna. „ „ Leiataua Piliopo. „ „ Ta (his x mark) efu. „ „ Samoa. , „ Leasio. „ Lv (his x mark) tu. „ „ Le (his x mark) ota. „ „ Alapalelei. „ „ Leaeno. Sa'u. Witnesses — (Signed) Dbinhaed, Corvetten Capitain, Commandant H.I.G.M.S. "Bismarck." (Signed) Th. Webbb, Imperial German Counsul. (Signed) Chudbn, Commandant H.I.G.M.S. " Nautilus."
Apia, 23rd December, 1879. This day there assembled on board H.I.G.M.S. " Bismarck " the hereinafter-mentioned Samoan chiefs. They were appointed by the provinces of Samoa, according to Article 111. of the Treaty made, also by Samoan chiefs, on the fifteenth day of this month, on board the German ship-of-war "Bismarck;" and accordingly met this day to continue the deliberations of the fifteenth of this month, by deliberating now on those matters pointed out in Article 111. of the Treaty made on the fifteenth of this month. For this purpose have been appointed— By Atua —Fagaloa and Fualaga ; By the Huatane—Masoe and Utumapu; By the Tuamasaga—Tuiatafu and Mataafa; By the Faasaleleaga—Lauati and Faatuona; By Aana—Le Mano and Saefu ; By the Huafafine—Asiata and Lagaaia; By Manono —Taupa'u and Sa'u; By Tutuila—Leaena and Alapa; who then agreed upon the following Articles : — Article I. Malietoa Talavoa is hereby appointed King for lifetime. Malietoa Laupspa is hereby made Eegent, and will attend to the work of the King. Article 11. All flags of Samoa made hitherto are hereby abolished, and a new flag is hereby adopted, to show thereby the unity of Samoa. The flag is thus : —A red flag, with a white cross, and also a white star with five points; the star shall be put in the upper part, next to the flagstaff. The King shall have the right to choose his private flag, but that flag shall be no Government flag. Article 111. Each province of Samoa shall appoint two Samoan chiefs, who shall be called "Taimua." The chiefs at present appointed by the provinces of Samoa to direct their attention to the present treaty agreement are now the Taimua; but they may be exchanged, up to the 21st January of the next year, by each province, for two other chiefs, if their respective provinces are of one mind in that respect. The provinces of Itu-o-tane, Tuamasaga, and Atua shall each appoint five Faipule ; the provinces of Itu-a-fafine, Aana, Tutuila, Faasaleleaga, each four, and Manono three, Faipule. The Taimua shall bo appointed for four years, and the Faipule for three years, beginning from the day of their first meeting at the seat of Government. After the expiration of their term of office, each province shall again deliberate about their re-election or new election. The deliberations of Taimua and Faipule shall take place separately. In case the decision of the majority of the Taimua should differ from the decision of the majority of the Faipule, then the King shall decide which decision shall be valid, or whether the deliberations on the matter in dispute shall be postponed.
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The Taimua and Faipule shall assemble, every year of their term of office, at the seat of Government, to attend to deliberations about laws and other matters; but they shall not remain at the seat of Government longer than three months every year, and they shall then return to their provinces—with the exception of one Taimua from each province, who shall remain to assist; the King (Eegent) in superintending the execution of the laws, and attending to different Government work in accordance with the laws. They shall also appoint one of their number as Taimua Sili (President). The King or Eegent shall sign all documents by which those laws are published which have been adopted in accordance with the above regulations, and also any other documents, if in any accordance with laws that have been passed. But it is necessary that the Taimua Sili shall also add his signature, because he alone will be responsible in all Government matters, if there should be anything in such documents not according to law. The Taimua who remain with the King (Eegent) to superintend the execution of laws, and attend to other Government matters, shall also deliberate and agree with the Foreign Eepresentatives in Samoa about all matters concerning foreigners, in accordance with the treaties made between Samoa and foreign nations. They shall also consult with the Foreign Eepresentatives in Samoa about measures whereby it will be possible to prohibit or regulate the sale and supply by foreigners to Samoans, and also to other people in Samoa, of intoxicating drinks, arms, and ammunition of war. Article IV. Each province of Samoa shall appoint its own Governor; but, if a dispute should arise in this matter, then it shall be left to the Taimua and Faipule to appoint a Governor for the province disagreeing in opinion; and, if the Taimua and Faipule cannot agree, then the King shall decide whether the Governor desired by the Taimua or that one desired by the Faipule shall be appointed. The term of the Governor's office shall be two years and six months. The Governor shall appoint in his province, in accordance with law, the judges, police, scribes, and other officers; and he shall also superintend, in his province, the execution of the laws that have been published. Article V. The King or Regent shall inform all provinces of Samoa of the day in each year when the Taimua and Faipule shall assemble at the seat of government and commence their sittings, which shall not last longer than three months ; then they shall return to their provinces, and only those Taimuas shall remain who are appointed to assist the King (Regent) according to Article 111. It is the office of the Taimua and Faipule to deliberate and agree upon laws, according to Article III.; but it is impossible for the King alone to make laws, his own office being to superintend the execution of the laws that have been made, according to Article 111. Article VI. For the present, the seat of Government is on Mulinuu. But, of tho chiefs appointed to make this present Treaty, and who are now called Taimua, there shall now assemble at the seat of the Government one Taimua for each province ; and they shall assist the King, take care of the seat of Government, and consult with the Foreign Eepresentatives. The other Taimua chiefs then remaining, being one of each province, shall return to their own province to deliberate, according to Article 111. on the appointment of the Faipule, and on the exchange of any Taimua among themselves and also among those Taimuas who remain on the seat of Government. Then, all the chiefs appointed shall return to Mulinuu on the 20th January of the next year, to commence their governmental work. They shall first deliberate on such matters remaining whereby the Articles of the new Samoan Constitution, as adopted by this Agreement, will be more completed ; and, secondly, they shall turn their attention to different laws to be agreed upon, according to Article 111. Article VII. Deliberations concerning Samoan property destroyed and plundered by the war parties of the last war shall be postponed until tho Taimua and Faipule will be assembled at Mulinuu. Each province shall endeavour at once to take such measures as will enable that minority of tho inhabitants of any such province, having been left by them on account of the war, to return there in friendship. If this is not possible, then it shall be postponed until the Taimua and Faipule are assembled in Mulinuu, and they shall then deliberate on it. The Taimua chiefs who now assemble at Mulinuu are appointed to consult with the Foreign Representatives about foreign property destroyed, plundered, and damaged by the war-parties of their war, and about all matters concerning any trespass upon the neutral ground. The Foreign Representatives will appoint the day and place of meeting for their consultation. Article VIII. This Agreement shall be valid from the day that the chiefs appointed have signed the same. This Agreement shall be delivered into the hands of Captain Deinhard, who will transmit it, on a later day, into the hands of the Samoan Government, for safe keeping; but Captain Deinhard shall have the right of getting a copy thereof, which shall be certified as a true copy by the King (Eegent) .and those Taimua now remaining at the seat of Government affixing their signature thereto. This Agreement has been signed and sealed by the chiefs appointed to make the same.
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Done before three witnesses: —Captain Deinhard, Commanding H.I.G.M.S. "Bismarck," and Mr. Weber, Imperial German Consul, and Captain Chuden, Commanding H.I. G. M.S. "Nautilus;" at Apia, on board H.I.G.M.S. "Bismarck," on this twenty-third day of the month of December, in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine. (1.5.) (Signed) Tagaloa. (1.5.) (Signed) Lav (his x mark) ati. „ „ Fua (his x mark) taga. „ „ Faa (his x mark) tuono. „ „ Tuiatafu. „ „ Asi (his x mark) ata. „ „ Mataafa. „ „ Laga (his x mark) aia. „ „ Lemana. , „ Tau (his x mark) pa'u. „ „ Tae (his x mark) fu. „ „ Sa'u. „ „ Ma (his x mark) soe. , „ Leaena. „ „ Usumapu. „ , Alapalelei. Witnesses — (Signed) Deinhaed, Corvetten Capitain, Commandant H.I.G.M.S. " Bismarck." (Signed) Th. Weber, Imperial German Consul. (Signed) Chuden, Corvetten Capitain, Commandant H.I.G.M.S. " Nautilus."
His Majesty the German Emperor, King of Prussia, &c. in the name of the German Empire, of the one part, and their Excellencies the Gentlemen of the Taimua, in the name of the Government of Samoa, of the other part, being desirous mutually to further and fasten their amicable relations and their interests, have decided to conclude a Treaty of Friendship. For this purpose, they have appointed as their plenipotentiaries—that is to say, His Majesty the German Emperor, King of Prussia, &c. : His Majesty's Captain of Corvette, Carl Bartholomaeus yon Wermer, Commander of His Majesty's corvette " Ariadne," Knight of the Order of the Boyal Crown of the Third Class, and of the Order of the Red Eagle of the Fourth Class; and His Majesty's Consul for Samoa and Tonga, Theodore August Ludwig Weber. And their Excellencies the Gentlemen of the Taimua : Tuia, Member of the Taimua; and Lemana, Member of the Taimua; and Meisake, Under-Secretary of State: who, after communicating to each other their full powers, which were found to bo in good and due form, have agreed upon the following Articles: — Article I. There shall be peace and perpetual friendship between the German Empire, of the one part,, and Samoa, of the other part', and also between their respective subjects, without distinction of persons and places. Article 11. The subjects of both Contracting Parties shall enjoy, in both countries, the most perfect and perpetual protection of their persons and property ; and, furthermore, Germans in Samoa, and Samoans in Germany, shall be exempt from all war contributions, military requisitions, or military services; and especially the Germans in Samoa shall be exempt from occupation of their houses, lands, and plantations by war-parties. Article 111. The Germans who reside (sojourn) in Samoa, and the Samoans who reside (sojourn) in Germany, shall enjoy perfect liberty of conscience and religious worship, and they shall not in any way be molested, annoyed, or disturbed on account of their religious faith, or on account of the celebration of religious worship in their houses or churches. The subjects of both countries shall also have the right of burying their countrymen who may die in Germany or Samoa in places which they have acquired and established for that purpose, and the burial services corresponding to their religious customs shall not in any way be disturbed, nor the graves be damaged or destroyed on any account. In all these cases, the Samoans in Germany have to submit to the laws and regulations of the country, and to observe the respective manners and customs, and also the religious propriety. The Germans in Samoa shall be held in that respect to observe such laws and regulations as may be in future agreed upon between the two Governments; but, meanwhile, they shall not do anything which would trespass upon the laws and regulations of their own country. Article IV. There shall be full freedom of commerce for German subjects in all parts and places of Samoa, They may enter unproventedly with their vessels and cargoes of whatsoever kind into all places, harbours, and waters of Samoa; sell the cargoes of their vessels, land, and store them; and they may also send off produce of the country, or articles of any other kind belonging to them, for loading their vessels. The German subjects shall not pay any taxes or duties, or be submitted to any restrictions with regard to their vessels and cargoes which arrive or depart, or with regard to the pursuit of commerce, so long as such have not been especially agreed upon between the two Governments; but, also, in this case, the German subjects shall always enjoy in Samoa the same rights and advantages as the Samoans, or the subjects of the most favoured nation.
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Article V. German ships-of-war shall be at liberty to enter into the Harbour (called) Saluafata, to anchor, and remain there, to take in supplies, and to repair. And the German Government shall, furthermore, be at liberty to make there, at its own pleasure, all such contrivances or arrangements that may be useful for German ships-of-war and their officers and crews. The Samoan Government also agrees that the German Government may erect buildings on the shores of the said harbours for storing therein coal or any supplies for the German ships-of-war and their officers and crews. The German Government shall also be at liberty to hoist their flag on the ground where the station-buildings will be erected ; but the sovereignty of the Government of Samoa over the harbour of Saluafata shall not in any way be abridged or prejudiced thereby. On the other hand, the Samoan Government promises also not to do anything whereby the rights granted in this Article to the German Government may in any way be prejudiced or made valueless. The Harbour of Saluafata shall not be closed, on account of the rights granted by this Article to the German Government, to the naval or mercantile ships of any such other nations for whom the Bamoan Government keep their other ports opened; but the Government of Samoa shall not grant to any other nation such rights, with respect to the Harbour of Saluafata and its shores, as those granted to the German Government. German ships-of-war shall, furthermore, be. at liberty to enter into all other places, harbours, and waters of Samoa, to anchor and remain there, to take in supplies and to repair, in accordance with such laws as may be agreed upon in future between the two Governments. And the Samoan Government also promises hereby that they will not in any way grant any privileges to any other nation before the German Government with respect to the Harbour of Apia and its shores, but that the German Government shall always enjoy also in that respect the same rights as other nations. Article VI. The subjects of the two Contracting Parties may reciprocally, with full liberty, proceed to every port of their respective territories, undertaking voyages and journeys, taking up their residence, and carrying on commerce or trades. They may buy or rent there premises or lands, cultivate and use them, and erect thereon houses, warehouses, and stores and shops. In all these cases, the Samoans in Germany have to submit to tho laws and regulations of the country, and to pay the same taxes, duties, and charges as the subjects belonging to the country. Likewise, the Germans in Samoa shall observe such laws and regulations, and pay such taxes and duties to the Samoan Government, as may hereafter be agreed upon between the two Governments; but the German subjects shall therein always enjoy in Samoa the same rights and advantages as the Samoans, or the subjects of the most favoured nation. Especially does the Samoan Government hereby guarantee to the German subjects peaceablo possession of all lands in Samoa which they have hitherto bought from Samoans in a regular manner, and in accordance with the custom at the time ; and all further interference with regard to such lands is, therefore, excluded, by this confirmation by the Somoan Government of the ownership of the German subjects. The Germans shall, therefore, be at liberty to make use of all their lands in Samoa without interference, to establish plantations thereon, and to procure and employ the necessary labourers, as well for such purpose as also in general for their wharves, business premises, and houses. Article VII. It remains with the German Government to determine the jurisdiction to which German subjects and their clients who reside (or sojourn) in Samoa have to submit with regard to disputes between them, or to offences and crimes committed against each other ; bat the determination of a jurisdiction and of proceedings with reference to disputes between German subjects and their clients residing (or sojourning) in Samoa, of the one part, and Samoans, of tho other part, as well as with reference to offences and crimes committed by the subjects of one of the Contracting Parties against those of the other, is reserved for an especial agreement between the two Governments, including tho necessary regulations with regard to the execution of the punishment of such persons who have been convicted, and also with regard to mutual competency of applying compulsion for tho appearance of witnesses at legal proceedings (trials). Meanwhile, until the two Governments have thus agreed, all disputes arising between Germans in Samoa and Samoans shall be decided, in the manner hitherto customary, by the German Consul or his substitute, in conjunction with an officer of the Samoan Government. Article VIII. All laws and regulations which the German subjects and their clients residing (or sojourning) in Samoa will have to submit to, as well as all taxes and charges which they will have to pay accordingly to the Samoan Government, shall be deliberated upon between the German Consul, or other persons appointed for that purpose by the German Government, and officers of the Samoan Government; also, all useful measures to bring about the observance of such laws and regulations by Germans in Samoa; but all such laws and measures which have been deliberated and agreed upon between the officers of the two Governments, shall only come into force after obtaining the confirmation of the German Government. But any agreement which the officers of the two Governments have come to with regard to municipal arrangements, or police, quarantine, and Apia harbour regulations, or with reference to a prohibition or regulation of the sale and supply of spirituous and intoxicating liquors to Samoans and natives from other islands of the Pacific Ocean by Germans in Samoa, shall at once be observed by the German subjects in Samoa, and as long as the German Government has not refused the confirmation of the same.
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But, also, in all these cases, German subjects shall always enjoy in Samoa the same rights and . advantages as the Samoans, or the subjects of the most favoured nation; and they shall not be submitted to any laws or measures whereby they are disregarded and prejudiced or injured in comparison to the subjects of other nations in Samoa. Article IX. Besides those different agreements mentioned in the preceding Articles, it shall also be reserved to an agreement between the two Governments to regulate the civil status or position, and other matters not yet alluded to concerning the position, of the subjects and clients of the one party during their stay in the dominions of the other party, as also the determination of the rights, competencies, and obligations of mutual Consular representation, and all matters concerning the commerce which have not yet been settled. Article X. The Government of Samoa promises not to grant, in their own country, any monopolies, indemnities, or real advantages, to the disadvantage of the German commerce or of the flag and the subjects of the German Empire. Article XI. The Government of Samoa promises to grant the German Government as many rights as the most favoured nation, as well in respect to all matters alluded to in the preceding Articles of this Treaty, as also generally, and as may be granted to any other nation in future. Article XII. The present Treaty shall come into force and become valid from the day of the signing of the same, but reserving that the same becomes invalid again in case its ratification on the part of the German Government should not take place within the space of twenty-four months from the date of its execution. Article XIII. The present Treaty, consisting of thirteen Articles, shall be ratified, and its ratification exchanged in Apia, as soon as possible. The ratification on the part of the Government of Samoa shall take place at once after execution of this Treaty, and the respective document shall be kept at the Imperial German Consulate at Apia until the arrival of the ratification of the German Government, under the condition that this deed of ratification shall be returned to the Samoan Government in case the German Government should not ratify this Treaty within the stipulated time. In witness whereof the Plenipotentiaries of the two Governments have signed and sealed this Treaty. Done at the Imperial German Consulate, at Apia, on the 24th day of January, in the year 1879. (l-s). Tuia. (1.5.) Yon Wermee. (1.5.) Lemana. (1.5.) T. Weber. (1.5.) Meisake.
APPENDIX VII. Convention between Her Majesty and the King and Goveenment of Samoa, for the Goveenment of the Town and District of Apia. Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the King and Government of Samoa, being desirous to make better provision for the good government of the Town and District of Apia, and the preservation of peace and good order therein, as well as for the maintenance of its neutrality, should internal disturbances unhappily take place in the Samoan State, have determined to conclude a Convention for that purpose, and have named, as their Plenipotentiaries : — Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, &c. — The Honourable Sir Arthur Hamilton Gordon, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Her Majesty's High Commissioner and Consul-General for Western Polynesia, Governor of Fiji; and Alfred Percival Maudslay, Esquire, one of Her Majesty's Deputy Commissioners for the Western Pacific; And the King and Government of Samoa, — The High Chief Malietoa Laupepa ; and the High Chief Saga; who, having met and conferred with the representatives at Apia of other nations having entered into treaty relations with Samoa; that is to say, Corvetten Capitain T. Mensing, Imperial German Navy, commanding His Imperial German Majesty's gun-vessel "Albatross;" Theodore Weber, Esq. Imperial German Consul for Samoa and Tonga ; Captain E. Chandler, United States' Navy, commanding United States' ship " Lackawanna;" and Thomas M. Dawson, Esq. Consul of the United States of America at Apia, have, in conjunction with them, agreed upon and concluded the following Articles :— Article I. The space comprised within the following limits; that is to say, —Commencing at Vailoa, passing thence along the coast to the mouth of the Puluasa Eiver; thence up the course of the Eiver Fuluasa to the point at which the Alafuala Eoad crosses such river; thence along the said 6—A. 4d.
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road to the point where it reaches the Eiver Vaisigo; and thence, in a straight line, to the point of commencement at Vailoa, shall constitute and be known as the Town and District of Apia. The waters of the Harbour of Apia are also comprehended within the district. Article 11. Such town and district shall be placed under the government of a Municipal Board consisting of those foreign Consuls resident in Apia whose nations have entered into treaty relations with Samoa. Representatives of every such nation having a Consul in Samoa shall, at a future period, be added to the said Board, and shall be chosen in such manner and exercise such functions as may be provided by regulations to be hereafter agreed upon and published by the said Board. Article 111. The Municipal Board shall have power to make and enforce regulations and by-laws with regard to police and good order, public works, sanitary regulations, the issue of licenses, the imposition of harbour regulations, the prevention of the sale and supply of spirituous liquors to Samoans and other Islanders of the Pacific Ocean, and other similar matters within the said district; and such regulations shall be binding upon all persons within the said district, and may be enforced by penalties not exceeding $200 fine, or imprisonment with hard labour for a period not exceeding six months, or both fine and imprisonment not exceeding the before-mentioned penalties. Article IV. The Municipal Board of Apia may, for the purpose of defraying expenses incurred under the above Article, levy rates upon the occupiers of houses or lands within the District of Apia, not exceeding 5 per cent, annually on the annual assessed value of such premises as calculated on the presumed rental valuation thereof, or 1 per cent, annually on the real value of such property. Article V. All offences against the regulations of the Municipal Board, by whomsoever committed, shall be tried by a Magistrate to be appointed by the Board. Article VI. If a subject or citizen of any of the contracting parties in Apia be charged with an offence against the laws of his own country, he shall be tried according to the jurisdiction provided therefor by the legislation of the nation to which he belongs, or according to the stipulations of the treaty concluded between his nation and Samoa. Article VII. Every Samoan subject charged with a criminal offence within the limits of the District of Apia, other than an offence against the municipal regulations, shall be liable to trial by the Magistrate appointed under the provisions of Article V. in conjunction with a Samoan Magistrate. Article VIII. The foregoing Articles shall in no way prejudice the territorial integrity of Samoa, and the Samoan flag shall be hoisted at such place of meeting of the Municipal Board as may be permanently adopted. Article IX, In case of civil war, the Town and District of Apia, and the adjacent districts comprised between the boundaries of the Town and District of Apia and Letogo, Tiapepa Point, and Siusega shall be considered as neutral territory ; and the Municipal Board may frame and issue such regulations as may be considered necessary for the support and maintenance of such neutrality. Article X. The present Convention shall be revised at the end of four years from its date; and, if the internal state of Samoa at that time will happily admit thereof without prejudice to the interests of foreign residents in Samoa, the powers conferred by the present Convention upon the Municipal Board of Apia shall cease and determine, and the district again pass under the control and authority of the Samoan Government, or such other authority as may be agreed upon between the Samoan Government and the High Contracting Parties. Article XI. The Representatives of the Imperial German Government, in virtue of the powers accorded to them by the Eighth Article of the Treaty concluded between His Imperial Majesty the German Emperor and the Government of Samoa, on the 24th day of January last past, accede and agree to the present Convention, on behalf of the Imperial German Government, subject to the conditions of the said Article. Article XII. The Representatives of the United States Government provisionally accede and assent to the present Convention, on behalf of the Government of the United States, subject to the approval of that Government. Article XIII. The present Convention shall be ratified, and the ratifications exchanged at Apia, within one year from the date thereof.
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In witness whereof we have signed the same and affixed thereto our seals. Done at Apia, this second day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine. (1.5.) Aethue Goedon. (1.5.) Malietoa Laupepa. (1.5.) Alfeed P. Maudslay. (1.5.) Saga le Auauna. (1.5.) F. Mensing, Corvetten Capitain. (1.5.) T. Webee, Imperial German Consul. (1.5.) E. Chandlee, Captain, United States' Navy, commanding United States' ship " Lakawanna." (1.5.) Thomas M. Dawson.
APPENDIX VIII. Ageeement between the Consuls and King Malietoa. Whereas the King and Government of Samoa did, on the 31st August, 1879, address a letter to the three Governments of the United States of America, Germany, and Great Britain, requesting them to take some concerted action for the preservation of peace and good order in Samoa, and for the protection of the King and Government thereof ; and "Whereas on the 15th December, 1879, the civil war in Samoa was terminated in a treaty of peace between the opposing forces; and whereas on the 23rd December, 1879, on board H.I.G.M. ship "Bismarck," a permanent Agreement was entered into by the representatives of both parties electing and recognizing Malietoa Talavoa as King for life; and Whereas on the 12th January, 1880, the Imperial German Government sent instructions to the Imperial German Consul-General in Samoa that the Governments of England and America had accepted the proposals of the German Government, and ordering him to recognize and enter into an agreement with his colleagues for the protection of Malietoa and his Government by the three Powers already named in this preamble ; and Whereas on the 14th of January, the English Government ordered H.B.M.S. " Danae " to Samoa, with instructions to Captain Purvis, commanding, to recognize Maliefcoa and protect his Government, in conjunction with the naval forces of Germany and America; and Whereas the present King and Government of Samoa earnestly desire that this arrangement may be consummated as speedily as possible, for the greater security of life and property within the kingdom, and for the utmost prosperity of the Samoan Islands : Therefore, the King, Malietoa Talavoa, and the Government of Samoa, the Taimua and Faipule; and Captain Zembsch, Imperial German Consul-General, on behalf of the German Government; and Thomas M. Dawson, U.S. Consul, on behalf of the Government of the United States ; and J. Hicks Graves, H.B.M. Consul, on behalf of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, &c. have agreed upon and concluded the following four Articles, to take effect immediately, and to continue in force till ratified, modified, or rejected by the three protecting Powers : — Article I. The present King, Malietoa Talavoa, shall be supported as the head of the Samoan Government during his lifetime, and his successor shall be agreed upon by the three protecting Powers. Article 11. There shall be an elective Council for.the King and Government of Samoa, consisting of a citizen of the United States of America, a German, and a British subject, and they shall hold offices respectively of Minister of Justice, Finance, and Public Works. Article 111. The members of the Executive Council shall be nominated from among the residents of Samoa by the Consuls of their respective nations resident at Apia, and they shall hold office from the date of their nomination, which must subsequently be confirmed by the Home Governments. Article IV. The members of the Executive Council shall hold office until their successors are nominated by the Consuls, and they shall receive such salary as may be agreed upon between the Government of Samoa and the Consular representatives of the three protecting Powers. In witness whereof we have signed the same and affixed thereto our seals. Done at Apia this 24th day of March, a.d. 1880. (Signed) (1.5.) Zembsch. (1.5.) 0 au o Malietoa Talavoa. (1.5.) Thos. M. Dawson. (1.5.) Malietoa Laupepa. (1.5.) J. Hicks Geaves.
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APPENDIX IX. Papebs as to the Annexation of Savoy. [From the " Annual Register," 1860, page 215.] The proposed scheme of annexation of Savoy was strongly opposed by the Swiss Government. Its chief ground of complaint was that the Act of the Congress of Vienna in 1815, whereby the neutralization of the provinces of Chablais and Faucigny, which lie contiguous to the Lake of Geneva on the south side, would, by such annexation, be violated—and it relied upon the note signed by the Plenipotentiaries of England, Austria, Prussia, and Eussia on the 29th of March, 1815, whereby an important cession of his territorial rights was made in favour of Switzerland by the King of Sardinia. That note was in the following terms : — " The provinces of Chablais and Faucigny, and all the territory to the north of Ugine belonging to His Majesty, shall form part of the neutrality of Switzerland, guaranteed by all the Powers ; that is to say, that, whenever the Powers bordering on Switzerland shall be in-a state of hostility, open or imminent, the troops of His Majesty the King of Sardinia which may be in those provinces shall retire, and may, with that object, pass by the Valais, if that becomes necessary. No other armed troops of any Power may be stationed there, nor traverse them, except those which the Swiss Confederation shall think fit to place there, it being well understood that that state of things shall not impede in any way the administration of those provinces, in which the civil agents of His Majesty the King shall also have the power of employing the Municipal Guard for the maintenance of order." This note was embodied in the Treaty signed on May 20, 1815, between Sardinia on the one hand, and England, Austria, France, Bussia, and Switzerland on the other. And the Swiss Government contended, with good reason, that territories over which direct rights had been accorded to Switzerland ought not to be ceded to France before obtaining her previous consent. In a note addressed by the Federal Council to the Swiss Minister at Turin on the 11th March they said— "The Treaty of Peace concluded in 1564 between Berne and Savoy, under the Federal mediation, stipulates that neither of the two States should cede parts of the territory which had been adjudged to them, to other princes, lords, or republics. The Treaties of May 29, 1815, and of November 20, of the same year, declared that the provinces of Chablais and Faucigny, and all the territories situated to the north of Ugine, belonging to His Majesty the King of Sardinia, were comprised in the neutrality of Switzerland; so that, under certain circumstances, Switzerland has the right of occupying with military forces the neutralized portions of Savoy." Count Cavour denied the binding obligation of the Treaty (of Lausanne) of 1564, on the ground that the limitation of the rights of sovereignty therein contained was by its very nature a transient one, and had passed away with the causes which had made it to be admitted. He said (in a despatch of March 21), "It would be terminated by the tacit or expressed agreement of the contracting parties, or else through the effects of the general stipulations which at a later period regulated the public law of Europe. We see, in fact, that the clause above cited has, since 1601, been described as abrogated." He also said, — " The Treaties of 1815 offer even less ground for the claims of the Federal Council. By those treaties the provinces of Chablais and Faucigny were restored to Sardinia, which had lost them in 1792. Is there a disposition, or a word, whether in the several treaties or in the final settlement, or in the Protocols of Vienna, which restores the force of Article XIV. of the Treaty of 1564 ? There is absolutely nothing. "But the Federal Council invokes Article XXIII. of the Treaty of 1816 between Sardinia and Switzerland. This Article is thus' expressed: 'The dispositions of the former treaties, and especially that of the 3rd June, 1754, which are not expressly infringed by the present treaty, are confirmed.' In good faith, can we believe and maintain that Sardinia, by a vague phrase, and one of no precise import, can have consented to recall to existence a stipulation dating three centuries back ? It is enough to raise the question to find its solution. The dispositions to which allusion was made in 1816 had reference to commerce and to facilitating communication between the countries bordering on each other, and by no means to the essential rights of sovereignty which in the same settlement were expressly denned as regards the neutralized provinces." But Count Cavour added— " However, it is just to acknowledge that the proceedings in 1815 have created for the provinces of Chablais and Faucigny a special legal position as regards Switzerland. The neutralization of these countries was established in the interest of Sardinia principally, who demanded and obtained it in compensation for a cession of territory in favour of Geneva, and, consequently, of the Confederation, as we have had occasion to point out in the course of the communications which, during the past year, were exchanged betweed the two Governments. If, however, Switzerland believes that this neutralization is of use to her, we shall in no way oppose the taking of her interests into serious consideration. France herself had formally declared it, and we have taken note of this declaration, now become public. This point should be examined into and decided, with the concurrence of the Powers which signed the Treaty of Vienna; for it affects the general interests of Europe, as well as the private understanding of Sardinia and Switzerland." The Swiss Confederation afterwards addressed, on the sth of April, a circular note to the Powers who had been represented in 1815 at the Congress of Vienna, and to Sardinia, in which it called upon them to convoke a Conference, " so as to bring to a solution the pending conflict, which has already assumed an European importance, in the interests of international law, as also in the interests of social order in Europe." And it insisted that, until the Conference came to a final decision on the question, the status quo should be maintained in the neutralized provinces of Savoy, and that no occupation, civil or military, should take place. And, a few days later, the Confedera-
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tion issued to the great Powers a solemn protest against the proposed annexation, declaring that Switzerland could not recognize the validity of such an act, and that it was notorious that French agents were canvassing the population of Savoy on French interests.
APPENDIX X. The Agent-Genebal to the Pbemieb. Sic, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W. 31st December, 1884. As the first news which reached this country of the German annexations of the North Coast of New Guinea and of New Britain and New Ireland came from Australia, you, of course, had heard of them before any one here. The Colonial Office declare that these annexations are a complete surprise to them; at the same time, it seems difficult, for any one who has watched what has been going on, not to feel that Her Majesty's Government had ample warning of Prince Bismarck's real intentions. I believe that, upon the news being received here, orders were sent to the Commodore to take possession of the Louisiade Group. Mr. Murray Smith, the Agent-General of Victoria, lately had a translation made of portions of the White Book recently issued at Berlin respecting German interests in the Pacific ; and he has been kind enough to give me a copy of it, which I now enclose herewith. Upon receiving your telegram of the 27th instant, inquiring whether the German annexations had taken place with the knowledge or consent of England, also whether the New Hebrides were threatened, and whether it would be possible to induce the Imperial Government to take Samoa and the Tonga and Harvey Isles, I went over to the Colonial Office. But my doing so was, after all, only a form. I have just said that the Colonial Office deny having known the intentions of Germany: and they will be as incredulous respecting the French flag being hoisted at the New Hebrides. For my own part, I think we are fast losing the last chance there has been for a long time in regard to 'that group; and, as for Samoa and Tonga, if there ever was any chance of getting them at all, it has disappeared in face of the series of events which have slowly but surely been estranging Germany from England ever since the failure of the Egyptian Conference last August. I received last night your second telegram, directing me to urge most strongly on the Colonial Office the annexation of Samoa and the other Islands, and, in compliance with your instructions, I shall send in a letter accordingly; but I feel so absolutely certain of nothing being done, that I have thought it right immediately to telegraph to you to that effect, without waiting for any official communication. You will long ago have seen from my letters that, for my own part, I have felt sure that Her Majesty's Government would refuse to take any of the Islands of the Western Pacific, except the south coast of New Guinea, unless all the Australasian Colonies showed themselves to be thoroughly united about the policy to be pursued in that region. Instead of union, however, there has been nothing but division among ourselves, although it was clear all along that there was at least one man who knew his own mind, and that was Prince Bismarck. Nor is this all. The bad news of these German annexations will be embittered to you by the information I have, unfortunately, also to give, that the negotiations relating to Eaiatea and Eapa, so often referred to by me, have come to a disastrous end. Everything is given up by England, and France gets Eaiatea without any real concession in return. I have been repeatedly pressed from Paris to go over there in connection with that business; but I had no confidence about what was going to happen, and did not choose to be involved in it. The French negotiators, as a matter of course, declared they would not hear of giving up Eapa ; whereupon the English negotiators seem to have yielded at once. I hear now that Eapa is to be had, provided the New Hebrides are given up; but, at any rate, it can probably be only had now on that condition. I have, &c. The Hon the Premier, Wellington. F. D. Bell.
GERMAN INTERESTS IN THE SOUTH SEA.—A COLLECTION OF DOCUMENTS PRESENTED TO THE' GEEMAN "REICHSTAG" IN DECEMBER, 1884.
Abstract of Contents.
Page. No. 1. Dr. Stuebel (German Consul at Apia) to Prince Bismarck, dated, Apia, Dec. 18th, 1883 (p. 1); Letter, accompanied by two memoirs, viz. one dealing with the German Trading and Plantation^ Company (p. 2), and another with Trade Competition which German merchants have to encounter (p. 5) .. No. 2. List of Settlements and Stations of the German Trading and Plantation Company, 1883 (p. 7) No. 3. Establishments of Messrs. Hernsheim and Co. in the Pacific, 1883 (p. 7) No. 4. Western Melanesia, with special reference to tho supply of labourers to Samoa; by G. yon Oertzen (p. 8) .. .. No. 5. German and Foreign Interests in New Britain; by Dr. Stuebel (Sydney, April 20th, 188-1 (P-8)
Page. No. G. Dr. BurchtoDr. Sfcuebel; Berlin, Deo. 29tli, 1883 (Despatch of a Consular Commissioner to New Britain (p. 12) No. 7. Dr. Stuebel to Prince Bismarck; Sydney, April 14th, 1884 (on the necessity of appointing a professional Consul in New Britain) (p. 13) No. 8. Dr. Stuebol to Prince Bismarck ; Apia, Sept. 2nd, 1884 (Memoir on the Political and Commercial Condition of the Gilbert, Marshall, Caroline, Bllioe, and Tokebu Islands) (p. 16) No. 9. Dr. Stuobel to Princo Bismarck ; Apia, Sept. 12th, 1884 (Pines inflicted by the commander of an English man-of-war upon English employees of German firms) (p. 17) No. 10. Dr. Stuebel to Prince Bismarck; Apia, Sept. Bth, 1884 (on the necessity of creating aGerman Consulate in the Tonga Islands) (p. 18)
Note.—The figures within parentheses refer to the pages of the original MSS. of which this is a copy.
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Abstract. 1. Dr. Stuebel (Administrator of the German Consulate at Apia) to Prince Bismakck. Dated Apia, December, 18, 1833. De. Stuebel forwards two memoirs, viz. one dealing with " The German Trading and Plantation Company of the South Sea Islands," the other with the competition which German traders and planters have to meet in the independent islands of the Western Pacific. In the first of these memoirs the writer endeavours to giv.e a view of German business interests in the region under consideration. He believes business success to be dependent not merely upon judicious management, but also upon an early settlement of political questions, and that this applies more especially to the Samoa Islands. The second memoir shows that German trade still holds a commanding position in the Western Pacific. Competition, as far as it exists at all, is, for the present, confined to experiments, the success of which is very uncertain. A real danger only threatens from Anglo-Australia, inasmuch as political considerations may dictate the creation of English interests at any cost, in order that they may counteract the solid establishment of the influence of Germany. It appears to be our duty to aim at securing the commercial successes already achieved, by increasing our professional Consular staff as well as our Naval forces in the Pacific.
emoir on the German Trading and Plantation Company of the South Sea Islands, domiciled at Hamburg: By Dr. Stuebel. The Company trades throughout the Western Pacific, which has been divided by it into three regions, viz. : (l.j Apia, with the head-quarters. It embraces the Gilbert, Ellice, Tonga, and Samoa Islands. (2.) laluit, including tho Marshall Islands and the Carolinas. (3.) Mioko, including the whole of Melanesia, with the New Hebrides, Solomon Islands, New Britain, and the islands further west. The copra trade is carried on in all the districts; the plantations are confined to Samoa and Tonga. The labourers are for the most part procured in the district of Mioko. Other products than copra—such as mother-of-pearl, tortoise-shell, sponge, &c.—are of small importance. Some cotton, grown by natives, has been imported some time ago, and quite recently the Company has distributed cotion-seed in Sawaii, and a harvest is looked forward to. The Tonga Islands supply at present most of the copra. The natives there have many wants, and the payment of $8 for each male over sixteen years of age towards the support of Government is rigorously exacted. The annual yield is '8,000 to 9,000 tons, and is expected to increase, in the course of three or four years to 20,000 tons. In 1882 the Company exported 4,800 tons; Messrs. H. M. Euge and Co. 613 tons. Samoa produces 2,000 to 3,000 tons. The export is exclusively in the hands of the Company and of Messrs. H. M. Euge and Co. American rivals have, however, appeared in the field. The Kingsmill (Gilbert), Ellice, and other minor Islands yield about 1,680 tons. At present the Company confines its operations to Fakaofo, Nine, and Futuna, and, as a result; American firms have obtained a footing in the Kingsmill Islands and elsewhere. In Eotumah tho Company monopolized the whole trade, until that island was annexed by England. Since then, vessels proceeding to Eotumah are obliged to call at a port of entry in the Fiji Group; and this restriction necessitated a stoppage of the trade, and the Company's buildings on the island have recently been sold, with great loss. In Fiji, likewise, the Company had formerly the largest share in the copra trade. At present, it purchases there about 2,000 tons annually through its agents. The District of Jaluit yields about 3,000 tons of copra, and in 1882 the Company bought there 1,100 tons; Messrs Hernsheim and Co., 1,700 tons. An expansion of this trade is intended. In the District of Mioko (Duke of York Island), the Company first established itself in 1871, whilst Messrs. Hernsheim did so in 1878. The copra trade there is believed to be capable of much development. The number of agents and sub-agents employed by the Company to purchase copra numbers about 80, whilst Messrs. Euge employ 26, and Messrs. Hernsheim 28. Most of the Company's agents are Germans, whilst a majority of the sub-agents are English or other non-German's. The chances of the copra trade for the future appear to be good. The merchandise imported by the Company in 1882 had a value of $160,500. Hitherto American and Australian goods were procured direct from San Francisco and Sydney, whilst German and English goods were despatched from Hamburg in sailing vessels chartered by the Company. It is proposed, for the future, to order all that may be wanted by telegraph from Sydney, and to forward it to that port in steamers. Orders can then be executed in six months, whilst now their execution takes twelve to eighteen. The Labour Irade. —The present head manager of the Company has formed a labour depot on Mioko (Duke of York), to which labourers are taken before being forwarded to their final destination. Similar depots are to be formed on Lord Howe Island and at the Sandwich Harbour of Malicolo. The introduction of steamers for the conveyance of labourers is intended. Formerly a labourer engaged for five years cost the Company $25; whilst now, although the men are engaged only for three years, the cost is $60, with $15 additional for conveyance back. The expense of hiring labourers and introducing them into Fiji or Queensland is nearly double the above. The competition on the part of these colonies has not only increased the expense of procuring labourers, but the excesses and frauds committed by some of the persons engaged in it have discredited the whole business.
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This labour-traffic is by no means a slave-trade in disguise. The position of the men engaged is materially and morally improved. Besides this, islands like Samoa could never become seats of culture without the aid of imported labour, as the natives themselves show little inclination to work. The control of the labour-trade is difficult. No excesses have hitherto been proved in the case of German ships, and this is due in a large measure to the fact that the Company requires the captains employed to find security for good conduct. The regulations for the labour-traffic laid down by the German Consulate at Apia are not without value, but they nevertheless give no guarantee against excesses committed at the time the labourers are engaged. On this ground, more especially, a professional Consul should at once be sent to New Britain, and a gunboat stationed there. Shipping. —The Company at present owns seventeen vessels, of which four are still building, of a total tonnage of 1,808 tons. Messrs. Euge own four vessels, of 236 tons. In 1882, 23 vessels, of 12,764 tons, arrived from Europe on account of the Company, and 2, of 936 tons, from San Francisco. Of these vessels, 21, of 12,214 tons, sailed under the German flag. Plantations. —The Company's plantations on Upolu and others of the Samoa Islands, have an area of 6,311 acres, and they employed, on September 1 of the present year, 1,152 labourers. There are five European managers, four overseers, and a surgeon. The treatment of the labourers leaves nothing to be desired. Their houses are airy and clean, their rations ample, and tobacco is regularly supplied to them. They live, according to the tribes to which they belong, in small hamlets, and spend their leisure in Native games and dances. Quarrels, and still less crimes, are exceedingly rare. They are respectful and obedient, and, where breaches of discipline occur, they are mostly due to the injudicious conduct of the overseers. There are among them men of very superior intelligence, and their sense of what is right and wrong is as developed among them as among Europeans. Anyhow, the position of the labourers in Samoa furnishes no reasons why the existing system of hire should be abandoned. Nevertheless, it is desirable that the German Consulate should be furnished with definite instructions with reference to this question. The Company is taking steps to induce some of its labourers to settle down permanently. Each family is to have a house, with an allotment of land, and a free week-day, in addition to the wages paid to the other labourers. If the experiment now making in Hawaii with German labourers should succeed, their employment in Samoa might also be possible. The plantations of the Company have hardly as yet passed beyond the experimental stage. Coco-palms, cotton, coffee, food-plants, and tobacco are grown ; whilst experiments with cocoa and tea are proposed to be made. Cattle have been introduced, as well as pigs.
Memoir on Foreign Competition: By Dr. Stuebel. The Anglo-Australian Competition. —Messrs. McArthur and Co., of Auckland, New Zealand, have a business on Upolu, to the west of Apia. Its operations, however, are not extensive. On Tonga,'on the other hand, the same firm now acts with vigour, and seriously competes with the German houses. Messrs. McArthur are said to intend running a regular steamer between Auckland, Samoa, and Tonga; but it is doubted whether this could be done without a Government subsidy. Messrs. Henderson and McFarlane, of Auckland, and Messrs. Kelly and Williams, of Sydney, are said to be interested in the trade of the Marshall Islands, Carolinas, and Solomon Islands. Besides this, several Australian vessels visit the Tonga and Samoa Islands once or twice a year, for the purpose of supplying goods to retail dealers, and taking back cargoes of country produce. These transactions, however, hardly affect the German trade. American Competition. —At Apia, in addition to several retail dealers, there are two American firms, viz. Wightman and Co., and Grevsmiihl and Moors. They both engage in the copra trade, more especially in "the Kingsmill Islands. They flooded the market last year with timber and other goods, mainly to their tiwxt injury. The German firms do not at present fear their American competitors. Retail Trade at Apia. —The two German and two American houses above-mentioned engage also in the retail trade, which employs, in addition, seventeen traders, of whom four are Germans, three English, three Americans, &c. The local trade is estimated at $220,000, of which $112,500 fall to the share of German houses. Non-German Plantations. —Mr. Cornwall's plantations in Samoa were purchased in 1880 by Messrs. McArthur and Co. Most of the land appears never to have been surveyed or paid for, and there are at present no labourers. An American land company, in 1872, made large purchases of land, and 300,000 acres are claimed, although no title-deeds are forthcoming. Still, between 20,000 and 25,000 acres of good land, some of it near Apia, are undoubtedly the property of this company. No portion of it has hitherto been cultivated. Numerous smaller pieces of land have become the property of foreigners, among whom the German element is as numerously represented as any other.
No. 2. Settlements and Stations of the Geeman Trading and Plantation Company in the Islands of the Pacific, 1883. Samoa Islands : Upolu, Savaii, Tutuita, Manua, Eose Island; altogether, ahout 220,000 acres, of which 10,000 in plantations. Various Islands : Nassau, Fakaofo, "Wallis, Futuna, Ninafoon, Keppel's Island, Nine. Tonga Islands : Vavau, Hoabai, Tongatabu (two plantations, 1,300 acres). Ellice Islands : Nukulaiiai, Funafuti, Oaitupu (Vaitupu), Ninatao.
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Gilbert Islands : Maraki, Nanouti, Makui. Marshall Islands : Ebou, laluit, Killi, Namerick, Milli, Aono, Mejuro, Molwoulap, Bigar. Garolinas : Ujilong, Bonape, Lukunor, Losap, Nukuor, Lamotrick, Vlutio, Yap, Oelew ('?). New Britain: Hermit Island, Duke of York, New Britain (Blanche Bay, Port Weber, &c), Mioko, Utuan. Solomon Islands : Ongtong Java. New Hebrides : Sandwich Island (Havana Harbour).
No. 3. Establishments of Messrs. Heensheim and Co. in the Pacific, 1883. The house maintains two independent branches, one with its head-quarters on laluit (one of the Marshall Islands), and the other with head-quarters at Matupi (New Britain). The title-deeds have been registered in the German Consulate at laluit. Marshall Islands : laluit (German Consulate, Coal depot), Ebon, Narnmrik, Majura, Arnoh, Milli: together, eight factories. In 1884, various islands in the Eadack Chain have been occupied. Eingsinill (Gilbert) and Ellica Islands, with Pleasant Island (Nowoda). These are regularly visited. There are a few stations. Carolinas : Ponape (two factories), Ant's Islands, Kiti Harbour. Duke of York: Niata (Port Hunter), Uruputput (Makado Island; German Harbour, 1878: Captain Werner, of the " Ariadne "). New Britain: Eolavio (Matupi Island, residence of Consular Secretary yon Oertzenj, Baa (Nodup), Korokakoe (Kabakada), Ulu-lu-hi (Kabakoal), Ylavollo (Rat-a-vul), Raulai (Matupi), Lagumgum (Kinigunav), Rakunai (Kabakada), Birara (New Britain), Euluana (New Britain), Tavanu (Blanche Bay), Kabaira (Port Weber). Neiu Ireland : Nusa (New Ireland), Kabatheron (Staffen Strait), Kablamau, Butbut, Navangi and Pakail, Banye Lagoon, Kapou and Lainaru (on North coast). Hermit Islands : Carcome, Loof, Maccau, Peme. Anchorite Island : A factory. Laughlan Island : Ovurak (1883, destroyed by the Queensland labour-vessel " Stanley "). Carolinas : Tap (stations at Bui and Nil, with coal depot), Ouleai.
No. i. Wbstebn Melanesia, with special reference to the Supply of Labourers to Samoa : By G. yon Oeetzbn. Dated H.M.S. " Carola," February, 1883. This momoir records " impressions " during a cruise in the Western Pacific. The future of the German plantations depends upon a supply of foreign labour. Chinese labour would be too expensive, Indian coolies can be exported only to English colonies, and the supply of labourers from the nearer islands has almost ceased. Hence, the larger and more populous islands of the Western Pacific, including the New Hebrides, New Britain, and the Solomon Islands, have become the principal recruiting ground. The Melanesian labourers introduced into Samoa are much praised, and quite equal to the work demanded of them. The people of New Britain are quite equal to the New Hebridans; the Soloman Islanders are even larger and more powerful; and the New Irelanders are " the finest lot of all." The population of these islands is comparatively dense, amounting, for the Solomon Islands and New Britain, to about 400,000 souls. The German trading firms have not hitherto met with any difficulty in engaging such labourers as they required, and larger numbers would be forthcoming with a proper organization of the labour traffic. The keen competition among the employers insures the good treatment of the labourers. A regular supply can only be insured by honest dealings, good treatment, punctual payment of wages, and restoration to the labourers' native island when promised. The German Trading Company may have committed a few injudicious acts; but, upon the whole, its conduct is above reproach. Macleay's assertion that the position of the labourers in Samoa is worse than in the English colonies is not justified by facts. The contrary is the case. They are better off than in Queensand, and planters in Fiji have repeatedly told me that the treatment there is only in a few instances as good as is the case in Samoa. The proposed establishment of labour depots would insure a regular supply. The existing regulations as to hire, transport, and treatment of labourers can be applied only to those who are actually in Samoa. It is therefore desirable that a Consular official should be appointed to watch over the embarkation of the labourers. Mioko or Matupi would be suitable head-quarters for such an official, whose supervision would, in the end, be equally conducive to the interests of labourer and employers. At the same time, a gunboat should be permanently stationed in these waters, so as to be at hand in the case of excesses committed by labourers or islanders. Punishment ought to be prompt and severe. Messrs. Hernsheim, who have no plantations, and only employ a limited number of natives, most earnestly desire the presence of such an official, and of a man-of-war, in order that life and property may be protected. On Hermit Island, the agent of this firm was buried alive, and nine Solomon Islanders in his employ were murdered. When H.M.S. " Carola" meted out punishment to these islanders, they were found in possession of remains of the German ship " Elise." A few years before, they had plundered an English vessel, and murdered its crew. Although no means should be neglected for winning the confidence and goodwill of the islanders, it must never be forgotten that " fear, " with them, is still the most effective deterrent. The commercial interests of England in the New Britain Archipelago, and in the Solomon Islands, are, at present, of little importance. The only Englishman who has acquired a large piece of land there is a Mr. Farrel, who owns several thousand acres at the Gazelle Cape (New Britain), and has begun its cultivation.
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On the other hand, the engagement of labourers for Queensland and Fiji has recently been carried on with much energy in New Britain, and, notwithstanding the presence of Government Labour Agents, not always without the use of violence. The requirements of Queensland and Fiji are continuously increasing. The English Consul-General and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific is about to establish a Deputy-Commissioner at Matupi, whose house has already been got ready. Whether this is the first step towards annexation is not at present clear. If England is permitted, unchecked, to spread a net of her officials over the Pacific, the whole of the labour market must pass under her control. The protection afforded by the English flag will attract Australian firms, and our German firms will thus be pushed into the background. Even as it is, they have recently lost ground. The Germans will, in the end, apply to the English authorities whenever they require assistance; whilst the natives will associate the existence of law, order, and peace with the name of England. Eeligion and language depend upon the nationality of the first missionaries, and these, throughout the Pacific, have hitherto been principally English. The Germans have done nothing, and yet German missionaries would find a fertile field there for useful activity. It has been asserted that the South Sea Islanders will not work, as long as they remain in their own islands. Yet Mr. Farrel, on New Britain, employs natives, who had formerly worked in Swnoa. The islands of Western Melanesia are not inferior to the others in fertility of soil or wealth of tropical productions. They possess even certain advantages, for large tracts of prairie land are met with, instead of the primeval forests of Samoa. Provisions are cheaper, too. In Samoa the daily ration costs 5 cents, in New Britain hardly £ a cent. The question is not merely to find a recruiting ground for labourers to work in Samoa', but also to open up to German trade and civilization a considerable number of the South Sea Islands. But whatever is to be done must be done at once; in a couple of years we may be two late.
No. 5. Gesman and Foreign Interests in New Britain : By Dr. Stuebel. Dated Sydney, April 20, 1884. The trade of New Britain is (with one exception) in the hands of the Gorman Trading and Plantation Company, and of Messrs. Hernsheim and Co. The head-quarters of the Company are in the port of Mioko. There are eight trading stations on the north coast of the Gazelle Peninsula ; also stations in Utuan (Duke of York), Kuraso (south coast of New Ireland). The Company, in addition to its chief agent and two clorks, employs five white and five native traders. Messrs. Hernshoim and Co. have their head-quarters in Blanche Bay, Matupi Island. Twelve trading stations are maintained, and there are eight white and four native traders. Each of these German houses exports annually about 1,000 tons of copra. The German Trading Company own one or two thousand acres of land in Duke of York Island; whilst Messrs. Hernsheim own about 14,000 acres in various parts of the Archipelago. Mr. Parrel, until recently one of the agents of the German Company, owns a station in Blanche Bay, and exports about 100 tons of copra annually. His plantation consists of thirty acres, planted with cotton. He claims to have acquired many square miles of land beyond this. The High Commissioner, by a notice published on January 2, declines to register title-deeds referring to land purchased outside British territory.
No. 6. Dr. Busch (by order of Prince Bismarck) to Dr. Stubbed. Berlin, December 29, 1883. It appears desirable to me, after having read your communications, that the representation of German interests in New Britain and New Ireland should be intrusted to a Government official, who would reach New Britain in the course of the next labour season. As this official will have to act under your responsibility, I leave it to you to select a suitable person, and this all the more as your decision will depend upon the other requirements of the Imperial Consulate at Apia. As regards the Instructions which you will have to give to this official, I observe the following : It will be the duty of this official, supported by an Imperial man-of-war, to control the execution of the regulations made with reference to the recruiting of labourers, and their transport in German ships, and to protect generally the rights and interests of German merchants from being infringed upon or violated. It should be his endeavour, by judicious conduct, to prevent friction between German subjects and members of other nationalities, or, at all events, to prevent these matters from assuming serious dimensions. "We merely intend there to protect and support German commercial interests. The instructions given at the time to Consul-General Zembsch are to serve as a guide for that purpose, and they confer powers and give hints which will render serviceable the activity of the Imperial representative in the South Sea. I trust to your knowledge of the intentions of the Imperial Government, and feel sure you will not lose sight of the principles which guide our actions in the South Sea, when preparing the Instructions referred to.
No. 7. Dr. Stuebbl to Prince Bismaeck. Dated Sydney, April 14, 1884. In my former reports, I ventured to point out the necessity of having the Imperial Government permanently and professionally represented in the Archipelago of New Britain. Having now become acquainted with the circumstances on the spot, I beg to return to this subject. The Archipelago of New Britain was placed originally in the district of the Imperial Consulate at laluit. The only reason for this was that Franz Hernsheim, who was appointed Consul at laluit, was partner in the firm of Hernsheim and Co. which had commercial establishments in both 7—A. 4d.
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localities. There is no other reason why districts so far apart should be placed in the same Consular district. Winds and currents do not favour communication in sailing vessels between the two, and, for this reason, the commercial establishments which Messrs. Hernsheim maintain at laluit and Matupi are carried on quite independently of each other. Eegular communication between the two is not to be thought of. As respects New Britain, the supervision of the labour trade is now in the foreground. If this is to be regulated, which appears to me to be absolutely necessary, it will be necessary to appoint an official having a legal training. An examination into excesses whilst recruiting labourers, and their eventual punishment, call for some legal knowledge. In other respects, too, such knowledge is most desirable. Club-law still reigns in these islands. Differences between Germans living there, or between Germans and members of other nations, require to be settled judicially. An Englishman residing there has handed to me quite a long list of complaints against a German trader. The latter replied by a still larger number of accusations against the Englishman. Owing to the shortness of my stay, it was impossible for me to decide the case judiciously. The establishment of a German judicial authority in the country will alone furnish a remedy. Last year, the English Deputy-Commissioner Eomilly stayed several months in Matupi. He went thence to New Guinea, and is now once more in Australia. If, as I suppose, Mr. Eomilly, or some other English Commissioner, should again be sent to New Britain, it is desirable that he should meet there with a German judicial officer, with whom he could not only decide differences between Germans and English, but who would likewise counterbalance the political influence likely to result from the despatch of an English' Commissioner. The Consular official whose appointment is recommended would have frequently to visit the various parts of the Archipelago. Still, it is necessary that he should have an official place of residence. Only Mioko or Matupi could come into question. At Mioko the control over the labour-traffic would have to be exercised. Matupi, on the other hand, is healthier, and therefore preferable. If selected, occasional visits to Mioko, which could be paid in a boat, would become necessary; but, whilst at Mioko there is only a settlement of Hernsheim and Co. Matupi is occupied by the German Trading and Plantation Company. It would not be advisable to establish an official for a number of consecutive years at either of these places. The climate is unhealthy; the privations which the absence of civilized life and company entail are very considerable; and the danger of an official losing his energies under these conditions, or becoming unconsciously biassed in favour of one of the two trading firms, must not be underrated. Provision must also be made to enable the official to leave the Archipelago at once, in case of an attack of fever. These reasons make it desirable that an arrangement should be made by virtue of which the Consular officials in the Pacific would do duty in turn. For this purpose, these officials would have to be placed in closer connection with the Consulate at Apia. Practical reasons, moreover, speak in favour of some such arrangement. As regards the care of independent German interest, the whole South Sea forms but one region. The demand for labourers on the plantations of Samoa, and the interests of the German Trading and Plantation Company in the Western Pacific, more or ' less bring about relations between the several groups of islands. Such important questions as the control of the labourers, the policy to be observed towards the natives, disputes with them about land, &c. ought to be dealt with on a common principle. It is desirable that the Consular official in New Britain should have gained some insight into the affairs of the whole South Sea, and more especially of Samoa, by having served some time in the German Consulate at Apia. After this, he would go for a year to New Britain; after the expiration of this time, or in case of illness, he would return to Apia, either to be employed there, or to perform independent Consular duties in some other part of the Pacific. The official whose work he undertakes would then go to fill his place in New Britain. At laluit, too, the occasional presence of a professional official will in future become necessary. The officials placed under the orders of the Consul at Apia must be in a position to represent the Consul throughout the Consular district. An official, for instance, who proceeds to New Britain, but calls on the way at laluit or Yap, ought to be in a position to do the Consular business awaiting him there. A junior official of the Consulate at Apia would undoubtedly make himself useful by occasionally acting there as a Police Magistrate (Municipal Judge). I avail myself of this opportunity to draw, once more, attention to the desirability of attaching a legally-trained official to the Consulate at Apia, who could eventually act on behalf of the Consul, and spend several months annually on Tonga.
No. 8. Dr. Stuebbl to Prince Bismarck. Dated Apia, September 2, 1884. The writer encloses a memorandum on the political and commercial relations of the Gilbert, Marshall, Carolinas, Ellice, and Tokelau Islands, based upon information collected during a visit to them. The produce of copra is about 7,000 tons, or 1,000 tons less than that of Tonga, but is capable of being much increased. Nearly one-half of the trade of the islands collectively passes through German hands. Of foreign firms, only the Chinese—Ong Chong, of Sydney —is of importance, in the trade of the Gilbert Islands. Messrs. Henderson and McFarlane do far less business than the German houses, except in Tokelau. Mr. O'Keefe is interested only at Yap. Messrs. Wightman Brothers, at Apia, are a new American firm, whose vitality has still to be proved. The occasional despatch of a Consular Commissioner to these islands from Apia is recommended. The interests of the Empire there, as well as in Tonga, can only be intrusted to a. professional official.
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Care will also have to be taken that German men-of-war pay regular visits to these islands. In 1881, the " Habicht" visited the Marshall Islands; whilst the "Ariadne," in IS7B, and the " Hyena," in 1884, had so little time to spare as to restrict their calls to a few islands. In the Gilbert Islands, German commerce is opening up fresh ground. In the Carolinas, likewise, it is on the increase. These islands, likewise, will have to be visited by German men-of-war, having a Consular official on board. In order to make these desirable round trips, it will be necessary to station these men-of-war in the Pacific. An effective police supervision by Consular officials, and periodical visits by men-of-war, can alone prevent occurrences such as happened last year in Yap, when the English authorities proceeded against the English employes of German firms.
No. 9. Dr. Stuebel to Prince Bismaeck. Dated Apia, September 12, 1884. This report deals with the interference of the English man-of-war "Espiegle" on Yap, in August, 1883. In February of that year, an English subject, Mr. Ilmery, one of the traders of the German Company, had been attacked by the natives of the Village of Fal. To punish them for this act of violence, all the white traders living on Yap, one alone excepted, marched upon Pal, and burned a house there. The English traders Amery and Shaw (in the service of Messrs. Hernsheim) were subsequently taken on board the "Espiegle," and fined £20 and £10 for a " breach of the peace." The fines were paid by the German firms, whose employes would otherwise have been carried away. The authority by which the English authorities proceeded against English subjects in the employment of German firms is undoubted. German firms must be prepared for similar interference on the part of German authorities where their German employes are in question. Only by this police supervision and exercise of jurisdiction can order be maintained on many of these islands. At the same time, it may well be doubted whether, in the present instance, the English traders committed an act deserving of punishment. As far as Germany is concerned, this incident merely shows how desirable it is that Consular officials and men-of-war should from time to time visit these islands. Yap (where the natives have resumed possession of the small Island of Obe, bought years ago by the German Company) ought certainly to be visited by a man-of-war in the ensuing year at latest.
No. 10. Dr. Stuebel to Prince Bismaeck. Dated Apia, September 8, 1884. • I have, in former reports, drawn attention to the importance of Tonga for German commerce. Out of 8,000 tons of copra produced at present by these islands, more than one-half is exported by German merchants. The political condition of Tonga is still subject to changes. Mr. Baker, the present Minister, is most anxious to maintain the independence of Tonga; but his efforts are being rendered nugatory through English interference, encouraged, it is said, by English officials and occasional visits of English men-of-war. If England should annex this group of islands, German commerce would be most seriously injured. German trade in the Tonga Islands is based upon the system of taxation in vogue there, which requires that all taxes should be paid in coin. The native sells the copra produced by him to whomever he likes. In Fiji taxes are paid in produce, and traders thus lose the advantage o dealing direct with the natives. It is feared that, in case of English influence becoming paramount in Tonga, the Fijian system of taxation would be introduced; and thus German commerce, as carried on hitherto, would be destroyed. Besides this, German commerce in Tonga is based largely upon the circulation of Chilian dollars, first introduced by it. The attempts of the English to substitute English coins for it have hitherto proved unsuccessful. Should they succeed, there would occur serious losses, for the Chilian dollar is deemed the equivalent of 4s. although it only costs 3s. Bd. to import it, whilst 4s. would cost as much as 4s. 3d. Besides this, the English coin, being intrinsically more valuable than the dollar, would exhibit a tendency of leaving the country. At the same time, the introduction of English coins would facilitate English competition with German trade. If the English should become paramount, this change in the medium of circulation would naturally be taken up first. The existing Government of Tonga is not interested in any change taking place, as the German Company grants it bills of exchange payable at English places, at the rate of one dollar for four shillings. A further danger to German trade would arise from a revision of the Customs system, and the establishment of ports of entry. If the Company's vessels were compelled, for instance, to call at a port of entry in the south, before proceeding to the northern Islands of Ninatobutubu and Ninafoom, this would entail additional expenses sufficient to jeopardize all commercial profits. This is the way German trade was destroyed in Eotumah, when that island was annexed by England. Moreover, German merchants are afraid that difficulties might occur in a renewal of their leases. The existing Government of Tonga could be prevented from inflicting futile injury upon German interests, whilst the English authorities might be tempted to act in strict accordance with the letter of the law. Measures should at once be taken, if German influence in the Tonga Islands is not to succumb to that of England. A Consular official should reside there permanently, for the occasional visits by officials from Apia is not sufficient for keeping touch with the persons in power in the Tonga Islands, and to influence them.
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APPENDIX XI. Mr. John Lundon to the Peemiee. To the Hon. Eobert Stout, Premier of New Zealand. Sib,— , Onehunga, March 16th, 1835. In accordance with the telegram received to-day from the Hon. the Minister of Justice, I forward you the original Annexation Act passed by the Samoan Parliament. I also send you a translation of it, and a letter from King Malietoa to yourself. By Wednesday's mail, I shall forward you copies of letters from King Malietoa, dated 10th February, and addressed to Sir George Grey and myself; also copies of a letter to me from King Malietoa, dated 16th February, and of one from him, dated 17th February, to Sir George Grey and myself jointly; and copy of declaration from W. H. Zandall and S. V. McKenzie, interpreters of the Samoan language, bearing date February 16th, 1855. I trust that you will bring the Samoan Annexation Bill and correspondence before your Cabinet at as early a date as possible, for the King and his Government will expect replies by the outgoing San Francisco mail, which leaves Auckland on the 31st March, and which will arrive at Samoa on the 6th April. I beg leave to remind you that in the case Hunt v. Sir Arthur Gordon, before his Honour Judge Bichmond, in the Supreme Court at Wellington, his Honour distinctly laid it down to the special jury in that case that the three Great Powers—England, Germany, and America—had recognized the Samoan Parliament as a Parliament, that France had partially done so ; and that the jury would be justified in accepting them as a Parliament. Now, the Samoan Parliament, as a Parliament, have annexed themselves to New Zealand by their Annexation Bill of 9th February. • It will be a great disappointment, and it will be cruel, if your Government do not accept their Bill in the spirit in which they passed it. I sse various reports, purporting to have been made by the Governor of Fiji, of the large interests held by the Germans in Samoa. Those reports are misleading--m fact, they are not true. There are only two German firms : One, Euge and Co., who are a trading firm, and have no interest in the Samoan lands; the other, managed at present by Mr. Weber, have land interests ; but all the other German residents are clerks, cadets, and overseers for that firm, and have no interest in Samoa whatever; while the Americans, Scandinavians, English, French, and French Mission have all individual interests; also the London Church Mission Society, and the Wesleya'ns. Cornwall and McArthur's claims are, I believe, larger than those of the German firms. An American company has a claim. The traders are mostly English. The missionaries, with the exception of the French priests, are all English. The manager of the German firm, Mr. Weber, is doing his best to yet the ViceKing Tamasese and his party against King Malietoa and his party; and the German Consul is aiding and abetting Mr. Weber to encourage rebellion, with a view, as I take it, of giving the Germans a plea for seizing Samoa for some imaginary injury, caused by themselves. If your Government do not send down the "Hineinoa," with the Colonial Secretary, as was intended, rebellion within two months is inevitable. The cocoanut-trees, which are the great source of revenue, will be ruthlessly destroyed by both parties, houses burnt, and a great many natives shot, and all for the greed and aggrandisement of one firm. The coasting trade of Auckland, Sydney, and Fiji will suffer by the rebellion, which one of the Ministers of your Cabinet, assisted by the missionaries, can put a stop to by going down and talking to both parties, as all the natives call themselves " Britannias " —that is, they are English at heart, and are only waiting to see what action New Zealand will take. The expense is .a mere bagatelle in comparison with the trade now being done with those islands, and can be very easily recouped by small Customs duties. The natives are easily governed. There will be very few roads and bridges to make, as the islands have a large seaboard, and the interior has a gradual slope to the sea, which latter is defended by reefs : these make communication by boats comparatively safe. In the interests of the natives, and of the large trade which is being done with ourselves, you ought to interfere for the general good. lam quite satisfied that Mr. Service, Premier of Victoria, would, if the Samoan Parliament had invited him. Yours, &c. John Lundon. One of the delegates for the Samoan King and Parliament.
APPENDIX XII. Act passed by the Samoan Parliament. 0 le Gusi Molimau. Ole igoa o lenei fiagaiga c taua ole faaopoya ole neui o Samoa (Navigator's Group) ma Nuusila. I°. 0 le fale faipule ma le fale Caimua o Samoa, o potopotoina i le finagalo ole Cufu o Malietoa ma ma ona uso alii, ua loto latou c faaopoopo le malo o Samoa i le neui o Nuusila, ma ia lelei atili le neui o Samoa ma tagata a pito malo iseise c nonofo i ai. 2°. 0 le a tofia i le Cupu ma ona uso alii ni tagata Faipule tatou te o i Nuusila c filifili ma le malo 0 Nuusila; c tofia latou c tuu o latou lima, ma fai le faailoga ole malo i tusi ma feagaiga uma c aoga ona osi mo le faaopoopa ole neui o Samoa i <Le malo Nuusila; latoute fai mea uma ma se pule c tusa ma le pule a le Cupu ma le malo o Samoa.
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3°. O mataupu uma c uiga i le tausi ma le mamalu o tagata Peletania c avea i tagata Samoa, c pei ua avea i tagata Nuusila (o Maori) i le feagaiga o Wiataga. 4°. 0 le Alii Sir Georges Grey, K.C.B. Ole na osi le feagaiga mo nuu ole Vasa Pasifika, ma le faaopoopo o nuu ia, ile tausaga, 1883, ma talia ile fale pule o Nuusila; ma ole alii o John Lundon, o li na muai laga li mataupu ole faaopoopo ole malo o Samoa i le malo o Nuusila, i le masina oJuni, 1883, late tofia c osi feagaiga ma alii tofia mai Samoa; c faataunuu lena mataupu, ma fai ni tulafono mo le lelei ole nuu o Samoa; c tatau fai na tusa la la pule ma le pule a alii tofia mai Samoa. s°. 0 le totogi o ia mea eseese c maua i le filifiliga ma le tonu a le malo Nuusila, ma ia mafai ona faatau nuu vave le feagaiga ole faaopoopo ole malo o Samoa ma leo Nuusila (ana c leai ni tupe poo ni oloa faalemalo i le malo o Samoa). 6°. O lenei feagaiga c maua lava lona malosi ma lona taumuiga i le aso ole Cupu o Malietoa c tuu ai iai lona lima ma lona faailoga. Ole faaopoopo ole malo o Samoa ile malo o Nuusila c faia lava c pei ole feagaiga o 1883, na faia ele malo o Nuusila; c faapea foi o tusi ma feagaiga uma c mata aoga i lena faaopoopo, c osia lava i le malo Nuusila mo le lelei ole nuu ma le malo o Samoa, ma c mau lava lona malosi na lono tonu. Ua tuuina le lima, ma faailo gaina le faailoga ole Cupu i luma o lona inalo i 1& aso nei ole iva o Fepuali, 1885. Ua tonu i Taimua and Taipule— Selu, Failautusi ole Malo. Lauati (lona x faailoga), Failauga ole Malo. Ua faia i le pule o lana Afioga— Malietoa, le Tupu o Samoa.
[Translation.] The title of this Act shall be "An Annexation of the Samoan Group, known as the Navigators' Group." Ist. That the Samoan Parliament, in Parliament assembled, and by the advice and consent of King Malietoa and his Advisers, annexes the Samoan Group to the Colonies of New Zealand, for the better government of the Samoan people and the foreign inhabitants of the same. 2nd. That a deputation be appointed by the King and his Advisers to go to New Zealand and confer with the Government of that colony, and to have full power to sign and seal all necessary documents and papers to give effect to the annexation of these Islands to that colony, and to have the powers of the King and Samoan Parliament for that purpose. 3rd. That all the rights and liberties of British subjects be granted to the Samoan people, as the same is granted to the aboriginals of Now Zealand, such as has been granted to them by the Treaty of Waitangi. 4th. That Sir George Grey, K.C.B. being the originator of the Pacific Islands and Annexation Bill of 1883, which was passed by the New Zealand Parliament, and John Lundon, who first introduced annexation to the Samoan Government in the Samoan Parliament in June, 1883, be agents to act with and advise the deputation and the New Zealand Government with the view of giving effect to this Bill, and for advising and framing rules for the better government of the Samoan people and islands, and have the same powers as the deputation of Samoan delegates has. sth. That all the preliminary expenses be paid out of an authorized* expenditure, pending a voto of the New Zealand Parliament, for the purpose of giving immediate effect of the annexation of these our islands to New Zealand, as the Samoan Government has no funds or revenue of its own. 6th. That this Bill shall take effect from the date of King Malietoa's signature and seal, and give effect to the annexation of the Samoan Islands, in accordance with the Annexation Bill passed in 1883 by the New Zealand Parliament, or to any Bill that may be necessary to pass by the New Zealand Parliament to give effect to this Bill and annexation, and for the better government of the*. Samoan Islands and of the Samoan people. Signed and sealed in the presence of my Advisers, this ninth (9th) day of February, 1885. (Signed) Selu, Secretary and Clerk to the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament. (Signed) Lauati (his x mark), Speaker of the Samoan Parliament. (Signed) Malietoa, King of Samoa.
APPENDIX XIII. King Malietoa to the Peemieh. Laumua o Samoa, Mulinuu, 10th Pep., 1885. la lana susuga Bobort Stout, Taimua sili o Nuusila, ma isi Taimua ole malo o Nuusila, Talofa : Ua matou finagalo faatasi ma lo'u malo, ma ia avatu le molitnau faamaoni i lou malo, ma ia c faatonu ma ma lou malo, ma ia toe faasosoo ma ole atu nuu o Samoa. Ua'ou avatu le molimau faamaoni, ona o lav tusi na avane ia Misi Landon sa tusia i le aso 15 Novema, 1884. Ole molimau lena ua avatu, o 100 i ai suafa o alii sili o lo'u malo ma, ma Seumanu, le Kovana o Apia, c faapea foi le failautusi, ma le faamatala upu. O igoa, mo latou tofiga. Le molimau, v tusia nei i lalo ifo : (1) Pau, Taimua, Safotulafai; (2) Lupeainanu, Faipule o Atua; (3) Asiata Taimu Satupaitea ; (4) Molioo, Taimua Atua; (5) Su, Taimua Palauli.
* Query: "Unauthorized." B—A. 4d.
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Matou te faatuatua moni i lou malo, aua c tausi lelei i tagata uma, o Samoa. Na uma ona matou tofia Sir George Grey, ma Misi Landon, o matou fautua, c tusa ma lav tusi, ua uma ona tau atu ole tusi molimau ma fautua, ua latou moua le pule atoa a lo'u malo, ma au, ua matou loto malosi uma lava inaia faasosooina ma Nuusila, ma ia taua o tagata c ta?i. Ou te faamoemoe i le Atua ia faamalosia au, ma lo'u malo, ma ia malosi le tusi molimau, ma ia in lelei, ole ata ou te avatua i le tusi nei, ao le tusi moni, c avatu c a matou fautau. Ona gata loa, mai lav no alafa. Malietoa, le Tupu o Samoa.
[Teanslation.] Apia, Samoa, 10th February, 1885. To the Hon. Eobert Stout, Premier, New Zealand, and to the other Ministers of your Government. Talofa: My Advisers and myself are unanimous in sending a deputation to your Government, with a view oi arranging with your Government re annexation of the Samoan Islands. I send the deputation on account of a letter written by yourself to Mr. John Lundon, bearing the date of the loth November, 1884. The deputation I send you consists of the leading members of my Government, and Seumanu, the Governor of Apia, also a Secretary and Interpreter. The names and the rank of the members of the deputation are as follow: (1) Pau, Chief of Safotulafai; (2) Lupeamanu, Chief of Atua; (3) Asiata, Chief of Saput Satupaitea; (4) Molioo, Chief of Atua; (5) Su, Chief of Palouli. I have full confidence in your Government dealing liberally with the Samoa people. We have also appointed, as our agents, Sir George Grey and Mr. John Lundon, in accordance with your letter of the above date. The deputation and agents have all the authority that my Government and nryself can give them, we all having a strong desire to bo annexed to New Zealand, and to be one people. I hope God will strenghten you and your Government to support the Bill and to give it full force, a copy of which I forward to you with this letter. The original will be given to you by our agents. No more from your loving friend, Malietoa, King of Samoa.
Appendix XIV,
APPENDIX XIV. The Pbemieb to Mr. John Lundon. Sic, — Premier's Office, Wellington, November 15th, 1881. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter regarding the Sainoan Islands, and to thank you for the many interesting details as to them. 2. The Government of the colony are at present negotiating with the Imperial Government respecting the Pacific Islands generally ; and, in view of those negotiations, they cannot directly authorize any person to act as their Agent, or even as their Adviser, in the Samoan Islands. 3. If the people of Samoa wish to treat directly with this Government, they can, of course, appoint such person as they may consider suitable for that purpose; but, in the present state of tha negotiations as to the Islands generally, this Government cannot, I think, interfere in any way,, unless the Sainoan people make some request, which would at once rsceive consideration. 4. I may add that, if any of the Samoan Chiefs were to visit New Zealand. I have no doubt the Government would secure that they should be suitably entertained. I have, &c. John Lundon, Esq., &o. Bobsbt Stout.
By Authority: Ueobge Didsbuby, (joveniineut Printer, Wellington.—lBBs.
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1885. NEW ZEALAND.
Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.
No. 87. The Agent-General to the Premier. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 17th June, 1885. I transmit herewith an extract from the Times, of the 11th instant, relating to an article which appeared in the North German Gazette on the Samoan question, in which that journal purports to controvert a statement of yours that the possession of Samoa is necessary for the welfare of New Zealand; pointing out that the distance between the New Zealand and Samoan groups is about 900 miles, while the discrepancy in size and population is so great as to prevent Samoa ever proving a dangerous rival, and going on to suggest that the value of Samoa to New Zealand cannot be great enough to make it worth while to compromise the foreign relations either of the colony itself or of the Mother-country. I have, &c, The Hod. the Premier, Wellington. JP. D. Bell.
Enclosure. [The Times, Thursday, 11th June, 1885.] The Samoan Question. Berlin, 10th June, 1885. The North German Gazette publishes a communique to-day on the Samoan question, based uponrecently published accounts of the commerce of New Zealand. A study of these reports, says the article, should convince every impartial Englishman that the claim of New Zealand to annex Samoa is quite unjustifiable. It then goes on to controvert the statement of the Premier of New Zealand that the possession of Samoa is necessary for the welfare of that colony, pointing out that the distance between the New Zealand and Samoan groups is about 900 miles, while the discrepancy in size and population is so great as to prevent Samoa from ever proving a dangerous rival of New Zealand. It concludes by suggesting that the authorities of New Zealand could find enough to do in the further development of the resources of that Island, and hints that the value of Samoa to New Zealand cannot be great enough to make it worth while to compromise the foreign relations either' of New Zealand herself or of the Mother-country.
Authority: Geobge Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBs.
CONFEDERATION AND ANNEXATION. (PAPERS RELATING TO THE ISLANDS OF SAMOA AND TONGA.) [In Continuation of A.-4d, 1885.]
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CONFEDERATION AND ANNEXATION. (PAPERS RELAIING TO THE ISLANDS OF SAMOA AND TONGA.), Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1885 Session I, A-04d
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44,568CONFEDERATION AND ANNEXATION. (PAPERS RELAIING TO THE ISLANDS OF SAMOA AND TONGA.) Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1885 Session I, A-04d
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