The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1887. THE SAMOAN PRISONER-KING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1691, 20 October 1887, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1887. THE SAMOAN PRISONER-KING.

Weeks and months have rolled by since Geimany's high handed action at Samoa aroused the indignation of oui settlers. The only notice the Imperial Government have taken of the affair has been to send out instructions to the British Consul to observe strict neutrality. In other words Great Britain's representative there has been ordered to keep aloof from all interference and allow Germany to do just as she liked. Germany did so. Malietoa, who after a lengthened period of concealment had surrendered to the Germans, was mace a prisoner and deported from the island. It was at first reported that the captive monarch was to be taken to Auckland but this was only a ruse, for Malietoa was taken to Ge man New Guinea there, it would ! seem, to end his days m exile deserted, ' betrayed and abandoned by those who had promised to protect him. We ' have been kept very much m the dark, ' of late as to what has been taking place ' but the following affecting intelligence « ffQ reproduce from the " Otago Daily 1 1 imes:"— "On the night before King < Malietoa of Samoa surrendered to the German Consul he wrote a farewell ) etter to the English and American i Consuls, m which he stated that when t ramasese and others first commenced 1 he present troubles it was his wish to 1 mnish them. Acting, however, on the e d vice and under the assurance of the ] Jritish and American Consuls, he re- B rained from doing so, and was * epeatedly told by the representatives ii »f the British and American Govern- c cients that they would afford him n Malietoa) and his Government every J ssistance and protection if they oi bstained from doing anything that S light cause war among the Samoan *| eople." " Relying upon these pro- 0 ! >ises," continues Malietoa, " I did not si ut down the rebellion. lam innocent B « f any wrongful act, and hereby protest * a jainst the action of Germauy, and JJ imjpd you, of the promise ac repß*te<3ty I \

_*——————^ — — — made by your Government." Malietoa ' also delivered a farewell proclamation to his o»vn people, which was as under: — "To all Samoa. — On account of my great love to my country and my great affection to all Samoa, that is the reason that I deliver up my body to the German Government. That Government may do as they wish to me. The meaning of this is because I do not desire that the blood of Samoans should again be spilled on account of me, but do not know what is my offence which has caused them anger to me and my country. Farewell -Malietoa (the king)." What Englishman can read the noble and dignified words of the deceived warrior King as he sheets heme to the representatives of British and American Governments the charge oi treacherous perfedy, without feeling the burning blush of shame for his country's sullied honor and sighing as he reflects on what degenerate days we are fallen. Well may England after this treachery and pusillanimity descend lower m the scale of Great Powers, and be despised where once she was feared.