SAMOAN TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 124, 23 February 1928, Page 11

SAMOAN TROUBLE

* IMPASSE REACHED MAU REPRESENTATIVES FAIL TO MEET ADMINISTRATOR ACTIVE BOYCOTT OF SHOPS Apia reports indicate that through the refusal of the Mau Samoans to meet the Administrator matters have reached an impasse. The boycott of shops lias reached an acute stage, Mau policemen compelling Samoan purchasers of articles to return them to the shops. Meanwhile the cruisers Dunedin and Diomede have reached Apia. (By Radio.—Special to Press Assn.) Apia, February 22. Affairs in Samoa have reached an impasse. The Mau Samoans persistently refuse to meet the Council of Faipules, and also have twice refused invitations to meet the Administrator at Mulinuu and discuss affairs with him. They are obviously obeying the exhortations of a deported member of the European Mau Committee that Samoans should “stick to the Mau.” The boycott of shops continues, and Mau policemen armed with big sticks compel the Samoans to return to tire shops articles purchased from them. Even Samoan servants of Europeans are being compelled to return purchases made on behalf of their employers. The time given by the Administrator within which the Mau representatives should interview him regarding grievances expired this morning. Public opinion is that drastic action for tile suppression of the Europeanmade Samoan revolution is unavoidable now. ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSES FAIPULES COUNCIL INABILITY OF SAMOANS TO AGREE Apia, February 22. In addressing the Council of Faipules, the Administrator (Major-General Sir George Richardson) stressed the inability of the Samoans to agree to the selection of two Samoans to represent them, as pioposed by the European members of the .Mau Committee. Certain districts of Samoa have been unable for many months past to agree even upon the nomination of a Faipule to represent them on the present Fono, though invited to do so. The Administrator is prepared, if the Fono of Faipule agree, to provide for the appointment of a deputy Faipule in 4 each district to. assist the present Faipules, such deputies to be elected annually by the Alii and Faipule in each district. General Richardson, in his address, added that the Samoan people never would get prosperity in Samoa bv lawlessness, laziness, neglect of their lands, and wasting their time and money over futile journeying for political Fonos, nor by young men showing disrespect to the chiefs, disloyalty, and refusal to pay taxes. Judged by the actions of some natives for some time past, the Mau has stood for all these, and thus is self-condemned. Those bn the controlling side had been openly advising the natives to keep the peace, but had failed to advise them to obey the law. General Richardson said that he could do nothing for the Mau if it failed to 'approach him and listen to reason. As a matter of fact, some Mau men say that they have been told by Mr. Nelson', “Stick to the Mau and do nothing until I return.” CRUISERS ARRIVE AT APIA (Rec. February 22, 7.55 p.m.) (By Radio.—Special to Press Assn.) Apia, February 21. The Diomede and Dunedin arrived at Apia this afternoon. SUCCESSFUL WHALING CRUISE ♦ TANKS FILLED TO CAPACITY Hobart, February 22. The Norwegian whaling steamer Neilsen T. Alonso, with five chasers, has returned after a four months’ cruise. Her Antarctic expedition was the most successful that has set out from Hobart. The mother ship has 9500 tons of oil, representing 57,000 barrels. The C. A. Larsen, which was sighted in the Ross Sea, is reported to have 70,000 barrels, and the Sir Janies Clarke Ross 76,000. Whales were very numerous, and hunting had to cease several weeks earlier than anticipated, as the tanks were filled to capacity. TWO MEN LOST (Rec. February 22, 10.15 p.m.) Hobart, February 22. Two fatalities occurred during the cruise of the whale ships. A youth named Anderson was fatally injured through a steel hawser breaking when hoisting a huge whale aboard. A second youth, named Holton, was washed overboard in a storm and was drowned.