THE SAMOAN QUESTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2056, 6 February 1889, Page 2

THE SAMOAN QUESTION.

> . — ♦ - (Pjeb Pbess Association,) London, February 4. The "Times" m an article on the Samoan question says the attitude of England is secret and suspicious, and it is essential that the line of action which she intends to take should be divulged. The " Times " considers it a matter for regret that the defence of freedom should have devolved on the United States, and expresses the fear that there , will be a repetition of the New Guinea fiasco unless the views ot the Australian colonies are upheld. Berlin. February 4. The German press advocates retreat from the attitude taken up by Germany at Samoa. Bbbmn. February 5. The "National Zeitung," m the course of an article on the Samoan difficulty, asserts that all American rights to the harbor of Pagopago have lapsed, as the Government of the United States did not avail itself of those rights within a specific time. Washington, Febroerr 6. I The American warship Mohican will I probably be despatched to Samoa. Auckland, February 6 News from Samoa, under date Apia, Jan. 22nd, waa reoeived to-day, and ia aa follows : Tbe parties of Malietoa, Mataafa, and Tamaseee, remain m tbe respective positions that they oooupied last month. Considerable pressure was brought on Tamasese and bis followers by Brandee to induce them to oome down and attaok Mataafa, but nearly one half of hia men refused to oome. One, if not two, of Tamaßeße's prinoipal chiefs have left him and gone home, and- will, no doubt, join Mataafa. In the meantime the Germans are carrying things on with a high hand m the harbor. They have been aboard and searohed the Biobmond, and keep an armed boat guarding and searohing all boats that leave here, Yesterday a British ship, named the Longfellow, from Baker's Islands, with gnano, put m here for provisions, and a German boat boarded her before a boat from the British man-of-war. At night they sent four armed sailors to take oharge of her during the night. The captain of the Royalist protested against this proceeding. Thia morning a passenger by the Biohmond named Gelling, of Hamilton, Waikato, was taken off the steamer by an armed guard, and taken on board the Adler, and tried by oourt martial. It appears ouriosity prompted him to go to Mataafa's camp yesterday to see the King and fortifioations, and while there, it appears that he told Matoafa that the colonies were m entire sympathy with him, and tbe cause he was fighting for, and advised him to lay a statement of the whole case before Sir Gdorge Grey, who might lay it before the British Government: This was considered sufficient wrrrant for them m arresting and trying him. Through a representation from Oapt Hand he was allowed to go, bat not before Oapt. Band bad threatened to take him by force*. An armed force from the Royalißt was placed on board the Biohmond the prevent the arrest of other passengers, who, it was rumored, were to be seized by Germans. Tbe owners of the Biohmond have lodged a claim for damages against the German Government for loss occasioned by. arbitrary proceedings and overhauling her cargo. Germans admit that war is declared