THE SAMOAN TROUBLE

Evening Star, Issue 19797, 22 February 1928, Page 7

THE SAMOAN TROUBLE

AFFAIRS REACH IMPASSE TIME FOR DRASTIC ACTION. Press Association —By Radio —Copyright, APIA, February 21. (Received February 22, at 12.10 p.m.) Affairs in Samoa have reached an impasse. Tho Man Samoans persistently refuse to meet the council of tho Faipules, and have also twice refused invitations to meet tho Administrator at Mulinuu and discuss affairs with him. They are obviously obeying the exhortation of a deported member of tho European Man Committee that Samoans should “ stick to the Mau.” The boycott of shops continues, and Mau policemen, armed with big sticks, compel Samoans to return to the shops articles purchased by them. Even the Samoan servants of Europeans aro being compelled to return the purchases made on behalf of their employers. _ Tho time given by the Administrator wherein the Mau representatives were to interview him regarding their grievances expired this morning. Public opinion is that drastic action for the suppression of the Europeanmade Samoan revolution is unavoidable now. ADDRESS BY ADMINISTRATOR SOME STRAIGHT TALK. APIA, February 21. (Received February 22, at noon.) In addressing tho Council of the Faipules, General Richardson stressed the inability of the Samoans to agree to the selection of two Samoans to rcpiesent them'as proposed by the European members of the Mau Committee. Certain districts of Samoa had been unable for many months past to agree even upon tho nomination of a I‘aipule to represent them on tho present rono, though invited to do so. The Administrator was prepared, if the Fono of Faipulea agree thereto, to provide for the appointment of a deputy Faipule m each district to assist the present Faipules. Such deputies would he elected annually b ytho alii and the Faipule of each district. General Richardson added that the Samoan people never would get prosperity in Samoa by lawlessness, laziness, neglect of lands, and wasting time and money over futile journeying for political fonoa, nor by men showing disrespect for the chiefs, disloyalty, and refusal to pay taxes. Judged by the actions of some of the natives for some time past, the Man stood for all these; thus it was seif-condemned. those controlling it could put themselves on side bv openly advising the natives to keep the peace, but thoy had failed to advise them to obey the. law. General Richardson said that he could do nothing for the Man it it failed to approach him - and listen to reason. As a matter of fact, some of tho Mau men said that they had been told by Mr Nelson to “Stick to ( the Mau and do nothing until I return.