THE FUTURE OF SAMOA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 204, 17 May 1918, Page 6

THE FUTURE OF SAMOA

• Sir-Mr. Mathesoriy with a somewhat bad grace, has at lastkoine down to bedrock, and makes an attempt to defend his extraordinary statement that tlis statesmen of Great Britain have promised to return Samoa to Germany. HoBtates his argument as follows:— Our statesmen have said we are not out for conquest of territory If Britain determines to hold Samoa . . ■ she determines on a policy of conquest, even m. 60 small a matter aa Samoa, she in that respect will go back on her word, this argument looks plausible, although anyone can see there is something wrong with it. If the argument is stated -hs it should be the fallacy is clear.. Our statesmen said we would not retain any conquered territory. Samoa is conquered territory.: Thereforc.jyo (Britain) must return Samoa. Will MrMatheson maintain that the words wo aro not out for conquest of tewitor.r nra the exact equivalents of « - e would not retain anyconquered territory t u he maintains this extraordinary position he is faced by another difficulty. He admits in ono of his letters that our statesmen never used the wonls. wa aro not out for conquest of territory, but that to his mind "they reiterated, that idea." Then in the same letter he proceeds to quoto what our statesmen did say. Winston Churchill siudr Our solo aim is that Germany shal not emerge stronger than when she began (the war). That Prussian militarism, shall go out of the conflict abased, not exalted." There is nothing in Wins on. Churohill's words about returning the, German colonies-they do not help Mr. Matheson.. Then Mr. Matheson go» on to say in his former letter:- This is the meaning of Asquith Lloydi George, and President Wilson when they say. 'Our aims aro reparation, restoration, and security. More we do not ask. A\o did not enter this war with any idea of territorial gain. Wo are not fight,ny for booty oi- revenge." Mr. Asqiutii, Mr' Llovd George, and President ) Wilson are not'likely to have all used the sumo * but I let that pass Our ami« are stated to be, according to Mr. Matheson's own quotation, restoration, and security. Separation, for the damage dono by Germany, retention of the countries devastaeel by Ler, and security against fur her Ge - raft n attacks. My position with regal . to Samoa is based on the war aim quoted by Mr. Matheson himself-sccurity. lor our own security in Now Zealand. I sad in my first letter, "we have alight o den and-to insist-that the unspeakabto German may never have a fortress at our front (looi. -I am, etc.,

T. A. H. FIELD.