SAMOA WAR CLAIMS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 33, 8 February 1905, Page 4

SAMOA WAR CLAIMS.

The European residents of Samoa who suffered heavily during the war of 1899, when the American and British warships acted in concert and bombarded Apia and its neighbourhood, are anxiously awaiting the payment of the war claims. There is not the slightest doubt that but for the 'aggressive action of the two Powers concerned no damage would have been done to European residents. Naturally, the Samaans, when fired upon, retreated and retaliated by doing as much damage as possible, especially to British and Americans; and in addition residents living in the ■ vicinity of the British and American ' Consulates had their houses burnt to ; the ground by marines from the warships, no time being allowed them even to save their furniture. The only excuse given was that the natives might attack the Consulates from behind tha houses, and the houses woukl be in the line of fire. Both the Consulates were well protected by sandbags, quick-firing guns and marines. It was therefore quite unnecessary for the Consuls to have their unoffending neighbours' houses fired to further protect themselves. Now we find the Consuls living in their European-built bungalows, and their immediate neighbours, who formerly lived in their equally commodious villas, living in native-built huts, anxiously awaiting the payment of their claims to enable them to rebuild and live as formerly. This is surely most unworthy treatment by the two inogt wealthy and powerful nations on eartji. If it was actually necessary that a British or American Consul and naval authorities should walk around with firesticks to burn down their neighbours' houses, compensation ought to have been paid immediately after th« war, or other provision should have been made for these houseless people. The King of Sweden was appointe4 by the three Powers concerned in Samoa —America, England, and Germany—to arbitrate on the claims sent in hy members of the various nationalities. Bite decision was given three years ago, making England and America responsible for the payment of these claims; yet nothing has been done. If the decisions had been given against Germany

we may assume that ere this John Bull, Jonathan and Co, would have reminded that country of its indebtedness, and advised immediate payment. But as British and American subjects were the sufferers, and their Governments the j aggressors, there is apparently no way of enforcing redress. When nations agree to arbitrate on their differences it is generally understood that they will abide 'by the result; otherwise, what is the use of arbitration? Do these two nations care'anything for the sufferings of their own subjects living in Samoa? These unfortunate people have been the worst treated in every ' way, for, besides their losses and inconveniences, they were practically denationalised in the final settlement of Samoa. In that out-of-the-way corner of the world the people who have been rendered homeless and cast off by their own Governments are painfully conscious that they resemble "one crying in the wilderness," and their cry is not likely to cease until justice is doneThey feel sure that if the people of Great Britain and America only knew their grievances they would urge their Governments to pay up without further delay what, after all, is a paltry sum for two such nations to liquidate. As their own Governments seem to have thrown them over, British and American residents are asking the aid of Germany in redressing their grievances, and a petition numerously signed has been presented to His Excellency the Governor of Samoa to be forwarded through the German Foreign Office to the Powers concerned and His Majesty the King of Sweden.