19

A.—2

for various reasons, telegraphic and other, the semi-official writer cannot consider this intelligence as altogether trustworthy. At any rate, he reasons, it is not probable that war in an internationallaw sense has been declared in Samoa by the Germans, or their Consul or commanding officer— first, because neither of these officials was ever instructed to do so, and, secondly, because the German Empire has no adversary in Samoa against whom war could be declared. The only conceivable person there against whom war could properly be declared is the sovereign of the country, King Tamasese, Germany's friend, while his opponent, Mataafa, has never been recognised by Germany as the ruler of Samoa. A declaration of war, therefore, against him would imply that he was regarded as a sovereign. But this does not, it is added, preclude the possibility that the German forces now in Samoa were compelled to take measures of defence or reprisal against the party of Mataafa, and thus de facto to produce a state of war —which, however, could neither have the importance nor the consequences of an international quarrel. A case somewhat analogous to that in Samoa occurred when, during the Carlist war, German ships approached the. Spanish coast with intent to seize some Carlists as an act of reprisal for their shooting of a German officer named Schmidt, who was acting as a newspaper correspondent. But it never could have occurred to the recognised Spanish Government to regard this act as a declaration of war against itself. Similarly, it is possible, speaking in the absence of all positive intelligence, that the German forces in Samoa have been compelled to act in self-defence against Mataafa's party; but this is far from being a declaration of war in the sense implied by the Australian telegram referred to. So reasons the semi-official writer. Auckland, Ist February. Further accounts received here of the situation in Samoa state that the number of Tamasese's supporters is reduced to eight hundred men. The British and American Consuls declined to recognise the right of the Germans to establish martial law. It is reported that the German authorities are willing to recognise Mataafa as king provided that he consents to rule under German control. Washington, Ist February. Mr. Bayard, Secretary of State, has been officially informed of the declaration of war by the Germans against the Samoan King Mataafa. The news has caused quite a commotion among the members of the House of Representatives, and much indignation is expressed at the announcement that the Germans intend searching all vessels arriving at Samoa for contraband of war. The United States Consul at Apia telegraphed to Mr. Bayard, the Auckland date being the 31st ultimo, that the German Consul had declared Germany to be at war with Samoa, which would thenceforth be under martial law. Accordingly Mr. Bayard telegraphed yesterday to Mr. Pendleton, the United States Minister in Berlin, reciting the foregoing despatch from Apia, and instructing him to say to the German Government that the Government of the United States assumed that the German officials in Samoa would be instructed to refrain carefully from interference with American citizens and property, since no declaration of martial law could extend the German jurisdiction so as to include control over Americans in Samoa. Such pretension could not be recognised or conceded by the United States. On the same day Mr. Bayard wrote to Count ArcoValley, stating the facts reported to him, and adding: "Germany, of course, will abide by the agreement with America and England with regard to Samoa, and will pay due regard in all her official instructions to the rights of those Powers established by treaty. Mr. Pendleton has therefore been instructed to make known that the United States assume the German officials in Samoa to be instructed to abstain scrupulously from all interference with American citizens and their property in Samoa, and that no increase or expansion of German jurisdiction over American citizens or their property would be caused by the German declaration of martial law; nor would such jurisdiction be recognised or conceded by the United States." Count Arco-Valley, under instructions from Prince Bismarck, subsequently sent the following communication to Mr. Bayard: "As a state of war has been declared against Mataafa, the commander of the German squadron issued a proclamation by which foreigners established in Samoa were subjected to martial law. International law would to a certain extent not prevent such a measure ; but, as Prince Bismarck is of opinion that our military authority has gone too far in this instance, the military commander has received telegraphic orders to withdraw the part of his proclamation concerning foreigners. In negotiating with Mataafa our (the German) Consul in Samoa asked that the administration of Samoa might be temporarily handed over to him, which demand not being in conformity with our previous promise regarding the neutrality and independence of Samoa, Dr. Knappe, the Consul, has been ordered by telegram to withdraw immediately from his command of the administration of the islands." The members of the Naval Committee of the House resent Germany's assumption of the right ot search of American vessels, and recall the fact that such an assumption by Great Britain led to the war of 1812, and that the United States were compelled to retreat from such a position in the case of the steamer " Trent " in the Civil War. Berlin, Ist February. The Samoan question is dealt with by the Kolnische Zcitung in the following terms: " Germany must restore her authority in Samoa, which was grievously shaken by events in December, and make an example of the misdoers. This military side of the procedure is determined and unalterable, and it can only occasion complications with America if the Parliament of that country decides to stay the hand of Germany and to give official support to Mataafa's band. On the other hand, the diplomatic side of the question does not bear the complexion of war-fury.- In the nineteenth century no battle will be fought over the Samoan Islands. The proposals of the German Government for the settlement of the dispute which are now on the way to Washington will convince the Americans that it is Germany's endeavour to deal justly by all duly-established interests."