THE SAMOA TIMES. "Sworn to no Master, of no Sect am I." SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1888.

Samoa Times and South Sea Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 6, 3 November 1888, Page 2

THE SAMOA TIMES. "Sworn to no Master, of no Sect am I." SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1888.

The question above all others the most important to the people of these islands is what is to be our future Government; whether wo are to be- governed by one of the three Great Powers who have hitherto taken such interest in our affairs, or whether a native King with the assistance or protection of one of those Foreign Powers will be our rulers. The discussion of this important, subject has been, to a great extent/ neglected, probably through our being so much engaged by the war between the natives and the generally disturbed state of political matters in Samoa. Most of the German portion of our people believe that when the German squadron arrives the Admiral will immediately hoist the German flag over .Samoa, which of course means annexation to that country. They assert that Germany has already so far compromised herself by proclaiming Tamasese King of Samoa ahe will not allow him to be displaced by Mataafa or any other chief, notwithstanding that Mate-

aia has such an immense majority in his iavor; while the majority of our Foreign residents assert that annexation to Germany is now highly improbable, and that a native Government such as Mataafa suggested in conjunction with experienced advisors from the Great Powers, can be the only kipd of rule that will satisfy the natives and be of a permanent character. This is decidedly our opinion. Although this country since the coup de main of the German Commodore, has been nominally under King Tamase.se it has been unquestionably ruled by the Germans here; we do not attempt-to say that Germany herself has had much, if anything, to do with framing our ordinances or advising in our local affairs, but \vc unhesitatingly assert that the Deutsche Handcls and Pluntagen Gesellschaft, more commonly known as the German Trading Firm has exorcised immense influence in regulating them, and we also feel satisfied that it is chiefly through such influences the Government officers and other important German functionaries have so signally failed in their attempt to rule Samoa with either credit to themselves or advantage to the islands, hence the recent outbreak. Never before have the natives shown auoh a determined opposition to German management, and unless they are utterly crushed by German power they will never quietly submit. But then there is another side of the question, viz : Will Great Britain continue acquiescent after finding that German temporary rule in Samoa has been one series of blunders ? It is not her usual conduct to stand quietly by while natives of any country with whom she has had any intercourse are imposed upon by nny power. England has allowed Germany to try her hand at ruling Samoa with some reservations. We predict she will now withdraw, that permission and have something to do with Samoa herself when she finds that not only the natives are treated unfairly, but her own citizens unprotected. Then again America, who, with her usual foresight, felt convinced that Gcnnan rule in Samoa would never be for the prosperity or peace of that country, opposed the action of the German Commodore who deposed Malictoa. Is It likely that that Government will not have a few words to say before agreeing to annex Samoa to a country that is so objectionable to the natives themselves, and has shown ! such utter incapacity as administrators ? We believe not. There" is again another and a most important factor in the business, viz.:—Does Germany want the country at all ? If not she certainly cannot be exI pected to annex it for the sake of I the German firm.

It is a significant fact that all the

officers of Tamasese's Government with, we believe, one exception, have been old employees of the German firm ; not an Englishman or American among them.