CRUISERS FOR SAMOA

Evening Star, Issue 19794, 18 February 1928, Page 10

CRUISERS FOR SAMOA

[Special to the ' Stae.’] WELLINGTON, February 18. Announcing that the cruisers Diomede and Dunedin are being despatched to-day to Samoa, the Prime Minister states: “Recent advices received from Western Samoa indicate that all efforts to bring about either a reconciliation between the Mau committee and the loyal section of the native population, or in any way to mitigate the defiant attitude of the disaffected chiefs who constitute the centre of the Mau movement in Apia, have failed. The latest messages from the Administrator state that a serious position has arisen, and that any action taken by the official police will be regarded as the signal for general retaliation by the Mau against Europeans, the result, therefore, being that the entire police force is powerless, and the maintenance of peace improbable.

Disaffected Chiefs Defiant A Serious Position

“1 am glad to assure the public that up till the present time, owing to the patience and forbearance which have been exercised, there have been no actual breaches of the peace, but as a danger to life and property might arise if steps are taken to restore the normal functions of government without adequate force behind the authority. Cabinet has decided, entirely as a precautionary measure, to despatch the cruisers Dunedin and Diomede to the mandated territory. DIOMEDE CREW ASSEMBLED [Per United Press Association.] NAPIER, February 18. The Diomede left at 8 a.m. for an unknown destination after the crew, on leave, had been rounded up amidst much excitement in the cify. it is understood that the vessel is going to Auckland to replenish all stores.