GERMANS IN SAMOA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 206, 26 May 1920, Page 7

GERMANS IN SAMOA

TO BE REPATRIATED. By Telegraph—Presn Association. Auckland, May 25. Tho "Star's" Apia correspondent writes: "The issue by the Administrator of a proclamation under which a largo number of German residents are to be bent back to their native land came as a bombshell to the local community. The German nationals whom it is proposed to repatriate and liquidate their property rights are divided into two main classes. Class A comprises persons of German nationality and blood, exclusive of those married to persons of Sainoan descent; class B, persons of German nationality and blood married to Samoans or persons of Samoan descent. The first class includes about 89 persons, of whom 45 arc- married men. They are to be repatriated fortawith. A steamer for the purpose is expected about the end of June. The second class, which totals 33, are proclaimed liable to deportation, but are permitted to remain during good behaviour. There is a third closs_C, composed of persons of German nationality, but partially of Samoan blood, who are exempt from the proclamation. In permitting class B to remain during good behaviour tho authorities are influenced by the consideration that this class has intermarried with persons of Samoan blood and that their presence hero is justified in many cases by their parental relation to half-caste families who require maintenance and parental control.

"Tho value of the property of those repatriated is to be assessed before their departure. They are to be provided with a warrant for payment by the German Government of the amount due. Transport is to bo provided free. "The general feeling of the community is that tho steps the Government is taking may well prove disastrous to the Islands. Many of the men whose names appear on the list of those to bo sent away are counted among tho most experienced overseers and pla.nt.ors in Samoa. It is difficult to seo where, experienced men to take their places are to bo obtained."