GERMANS IN THE PACIFIC

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 56, 30 November 1918, Page 9

GERMANS IN THE PACIFIC

Sir,—l have just read in'your issue of I his morning the letter of the. Anglican Primate, which is writ.len in the true interests of the British in the .Pacific and of the natives of Samoa.. 'I. wish to noiii®ljut, however, that His Lordship, who doubtless writes from memory, is not quite correct on a number of points. There is no present danger of the harbour at Tutuita becoming a nnval base of Germany in the Pacific. It will be remembered lhat this harbor and island lias since 1!)(K) been in the control of-the United Stales of. America, who have established a. naval station there. Nor can Germany prefer, any valid claim to Vnvau, wliicn has never been in her posspssion. Also, unless 1 am mistaken, Dr. Solf was' never German consul in Samoa, lie was appointed president of municipality of Apia in I8i)9, becoming governor the following year. Tlhbo who desire a correct and complete I version of tho dealings of Germany in Samoa—and it is only by a study of the pnst that the. truth regarding German early aggression a"d Inter government in Samoa can be gauged— cannot, in my "opinion, do better than read the "History of Samoa," by Mr. ]?. 31. Watson, LL.B., recently published br Messrs. Whitcombo and Tombs,, Ltd. Tliis book has already been nbly criticised by your paper.—l am, etc., W. M. MATHESON (Lite Military Liquidator of Enemy Firms in Samoa).