THE SAMOA TIMES. "Sworn to no Master, of no Sect Am I." SATURDAY, MARCH 2. 1889.

Samoa Times and South Sea Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 20, 2 March 1889, Page 2

THE SAMOA TIMES. "Sworn to no Master, of no Sect Am I." SATURDAY, MARCH 2. 1889.

Pbince Bi&uhck's speech in the Reichstag on the East African Bill on the 26th January delivered, we are told, 'with unusual animation and unmistakable earnestness is of great importance here as indicating a determination of Germany to follow oot a course which appears to be already, decided upon with regard to her relations with foreign powers. Prince Bismarck says : "Touching -the question of the position we tako towards foreign powers, I can only say we have proceeded and shall ever proceed solely in agreement with England, the greatest colonial power of the world, and that we are in the fullest accord with England on Samoan affairs and advance hand in hand with her. This statement of Prince Bismarck we expect to be commented upon Very severely by the English press. It is the first time to our knowledge that such a positive statement has been made by' either' Germany" or Great Britain with reference to what, the world up till now only considered a temporary arrangement between Great 'Britain and Germany for the regulating of some of the Islands in the South Pacific, more particularly Samoa; at least such has been the construction put on the answer given to Mr, MoArthur in the House, of Commons by .Sir Janes Fergusson, Under-Secretary fefr Foreign Affairs, ltwaspartieuhrtrjr that Sir James ~»»'*fc"'»»«^rTt 1 y evaded question about..fyf&b£a ; . Jfllentiona with reference to flsjißaa. This speech •f PnßceßJWtt itfHi,sj not gone At enough. He might have shown theaaiore el ,4hara«ance with K which he JWftiestisnnbly bttt the Gha«e)lor of attorn wjljr samite i* festal '

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old historic ally with whom Geryean,even on Colonial questions/ These expressions are really very pretty and very flattering, and Prinoe Bismarck will, no doubt, expect his speech will be favorably received in England as expressive of the confidence Germany entertains in England's acquiescence in any colonial arrangement entered into by Prince Bismarck. That England has tacitly submitted to German control in Samoa for nearly two years we are perfectly aware, but Lord Salisbury and his cabinet, we feel sure, allowed such an arrangement, fully believing that the natives of these islands would be benefited by the change. We will not believe that Great Britain would degrade her reputation by transferring 40,000 people with whom she has been for years on friendly terms, to any power on earth, had she the slightest idea that such a transfer would be so repugnant to- the natives themselves, or be the principal cause of the greatest wars and sacrifice of life that Samoa has ever experienced, nor do we believe that England was aware of the intense hate the Samoans entertain for German rule, a feeling which is fast increasing until it has now reached a stage so freely expressed by Mataafa's followers, that they would prefer annihilation to submission to German rale again. A common expression amongst them is, " better dio than be made slaves of." Under these circumstances is it likely that England will continue to go hand in hand as P

'rince Bismarck so pleasantly puts it. with a nation that is so hated by the people, and who have only worked the islands for the commercial benefit of her trading company. We unhesitatingly say no, notwitstanding the the professions of pure love and affection and historic friendship so pointedly thrown out with all the seductive powers of the great statesman. Prince Bismarck must bear in mind that at the time when England permitted Germany to control Samoa England's colonies did not express themselves so decidedly averse to any change in Saraoan affairs (as a fact the colonies until lately never knew there was any change at all). There is no mistaking their feeling in regard to Samoa now. The Australian colonies and New Zealand are unanimous in requesting the IraGovernment for the independence of Samoa. The interests of Great Britain and her colonies are o*" course identical. Is it likely her Majesty's Government will forfeit (heir interests for the sake of any power in Europe, even if greater love and affection should exist between them, which Prince Bismarck so industriously desires to make known. One other very important matter which Prince Bismarck has evidently forgotten, that is, the United States who are now so energetically opposing German rule in Samoa, is also one of England's greatest friends. The relations between the United States and Great Britain are far mora in common a* an English speaking nation ; one people in fact, with whom her commercial relations are far more extended than with Germany or any other nation. Is it probable thai any sophistry even of Prince Bismarck will estrange these two nations. No Wan knows better than Prince Bi*> J

but then his speech told well in the Reichstag, the But Africa* BUI wis received favorably ; probably that was all that was required.