THE SAMOAN QUESTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2052, 1 February 1889, Page 2

THE SAMOAN QUESTION.

— "♦ — " (Pan Pbbss Association.) WASHnoTON, January 80. In the Senate to-day, Mr John Sherman accused Great Britain of coinciding with Germany m respect to Samoan affairs. The newspapers are publishing Prince Bismarck's charges against the American Consul at Samoa of inciting the natives against Germany, and also Mr Bayard's charges of a similar nature against the, German Consul with regard to Amerioa. f The German Minister to the United States has assured Mr Bayard that the German Government is sincerely desirous of satisfy ing Amerioa with regard to Samoa, and disclaims any intention of offending American susceptibilities. A resolution has been submitted to the House of Representatives requesting President Cleveland to insist on Germany restoring Samoa to the same condition as preceding the Washington Conference, and also to aid m securing responsible native Government for the fcorup. _ . Bbbwn, January 31. Prince Bismarck proposes that another Conference on Samoan affairs should be held at Washington. ■*.»* . Hobart. January 31. , r, M M to^ a y 8 nttmg- of the Federal Council a Committee was appointed to prepare an address for presentation to Her Majesty the Queen dealing with the Pacific question. The Hon, A, Deacon, Chief Secretary of Victoria, m moving for. the Committee said that the foreign annexation of Samoa would be detrimental to the best interests of Australasia. Samoa, had, he said, been selected as one of the Pacifio cable stations, and both New South Wales and New Zealand bad substantial interests m the trade of the Islands. If Germany annexed the Samoan group, then Fiji would be hemmed m between French and German possessions. The Germans, he added, supported their interests, but the English, Australians, and Americans only sympathised with their nationalities; The Amerioan Government, however, had the spirit to defend Samoa, and this Council, be thought, was justified m demanding that the neutrality of the group be preserved .