SAMOAN UNREST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3767, 15 March 1928, Page 2

SAMOAN UNREST.

Apia, March 12. The present serio-fareieal position in Samoa may soon develop into a grave crisis, as loyal Samoans threaten to take effective action after the failure of the Administration and warships to ar-, rest Tamasese and other defiant Samoans who are again disturbing the pea.ee and reiterating demands that Samoans should govern Samoa. This coupled . with the inability of the warship forces to detain prisoners at Mulinuu and effectively tq protect the Administration and police endeavouring to make arrests of the rebels is arousing the passions of the people of Malietoa, a former King, who say: “Let us fix these disturbers of Samoa’s peace.” The recent attempt of the police who were assisted by the marines, to arrest Tamasese, the head of the Mau, for a breach of the laws, failed.

Imprisoned members of the Maiu at Mulinuu walked past the naval guard and defied them to shoot. This has convinced the Mau that the Navy is forbidden to iise force; they refer, to the cruisers as “seareeroAvs,” and are becoming increasingly insubordinate. White Avomen are no longer immune from interference and are insulted in broad daylight under the cruisers’ guns. Many Europeans are armed and are planning to ensure a measure of. protection Avhich the warships, apparently, are unable to give. The loyal natives are dissatisfied and say that the Government fails to act openly in its plans to attack the Mau. !

Mr. Holland’s speeches, which have been circulated in the Samoan language, have led the Mau to believe that they have the backing of the majority of the Ncav Zealand public, and thh warships’ inaction has had a tremendously bad effect.

Every day of delay under the present conditions increases the danger of both Avhites and natives! ( The Europeans look to the public to force Cabinet to give the Administration a free hand to break up the Mau and impress Mr. Holland that' he is endangering the lives of his countrymen by his support of the Mau.

MR. HOLLANDS RESENTMENT.

Westport, Last Night. NotAvithstanding the Press Association sent, out the full text of the attack on myself from the Samoan Administration they refuse to transmit other than a condensation of my reply. I naturally resent their unfair and partisan attitude on the part of the Association and should be glad if you would give this telegram publicity. (Signed) H. E. Holland. *