A.—la.
No. 74. (No. 109.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 12th September, 1885. I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a memorandum from my Ministers enclosing a letter which has been addressed by the King of Samoa to the Consuls of Germany, Great Britain, and the United States of America with reference to the probability of disturbances taking place in Samoa. I have, &c, Wm. E. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. Colonel Stanley, M.P.
Enclosure. Memoeandum for His Excellency. Ministees have the honour to forward to His Excellency the Governor the enclosed copy of a letter which has been addressed by the King of Samoa to the Consuls of Germany, Great Britain, and the United States of America, and to suggest that His Excellency will see fit to communicate with the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the subject. Wellington, Bth September, 1885. Eobeet Stout.
Sub-Enclosure. The King of Samoa to the Consuls of Geemany, Geeat Beitain, and the United States of Ameeica. [Translation.] To their Excellencies Dr. Stubel, German Consul-General; W. B. Chuechwaed, Acting British Consul; D. S. Paekee, Acting United States Consul. Gentlemen, — Mulinu, 27th July, 1885. I send you this letter to lay before you this fact. In months passed by you sent to me and my Government a letter to this effect: "Do not do anything to bring about war." I listened, and obeyed what you said up to this day, although the rebels in Aana informed me that Weber (the head of the large German firm here) started this rebellion. There is no doubt whatever about this, that from the time you sent me that letter until now they have been working continually in a way to cause the shedding of blood. You will please take notice that the chiefs and people of Falifa belonging to my party have been driven away from their homes. This is not all; the rebels are going about armed. I have patiently borne all this on account of your letters asking me to do so. I have perilled everything—life, Government, and liberty—to keep the peace, and in my endeavours to obey Dr. Stubel's commands, who has even written to me thus : " It is forbidden for any number of your people to gather together," All this I have obeyed up to the present time ; nothing but a strong desire for peace has kept me bearing patiently that which has been going on. There has been no other reason but these : (1) Your request not to begin to fight; (2) my love for my country and my people; (3) their ignorance in being misled by Weber. For these reasons I have borne this so long. You cannot imagine how much from my love and compassion I have restrained mysolf from acting. Now, I and my Government inform you that Weber has sent his last decision to Aana, thus : " Tumua (rebels) do not be weak; direct all your attention to and carry out strongly that which yon intended to do." This is the reason for which the rebels have driven away my people from Fasitoo. They have driven them away from their lands and their people, and so in other places, in Aana and in Atua. Now, gentlemen, I want to bring this to your notice : Blood is going to be shed. A very few days longer and my patience and forbearance w 7ill have ceased. I and my Government are free from anything that has brought about the shedding of Samoan blood. It will be left to Mr. Weber the guilt of shedding Samoan blood. I trust in your Excellencies, and may you all live. I am, Malietoa, King of Samoa.
By Authority: Geoege Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBS.
11