Correspondence

Samoa Times and South Sea Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 25, 6 April 1889, Page 2

Correspondence

Wr are always willing to (five insertion to letters nf explanation or interest, but we wish it to be distinctly understood that we do not endorse the opinions ••xpresscd or luiijjiiajro used, by onr correspondents. Our ideas of passing' events will be found in our local or editorial columns. TO THE EOITOtt 01" THE SAMOA TIMES. Sim, —I notice in one of your late papers that the American Government have issued through their consular Office in Apia, a notice prohibit ; ng the sale of intoxicating drinks to the natives, or even supplying them with the same on any account. This is good; but the good effects of the prohibition have not begun to be felt round here yet. No later than last week a vessel came to this place and brought a supply of giu and perhaps other kindred stuff, and on one or two occasions the stillness of nigi.t was broken and rendered hideous by mobs of natives passing at all hours, more or less drunk. This is no unusual thing, as I learn from some people who have resided in these parts for some years, but now that this proclamation is posted out we certainly look forward to a better state of affairs. It is strange but nevertheless true the drink supplied on thee late occasions referred to, was mostly if not all obtained from a trader who until very recently was Hying the American Hag over his place, and had notices from the American consulate posted on his cocoanut trees.—l am, &c. WIDE-A-WAKR. Falealili, March 13th. 1889.

j TO TUK EDITOR OF TnE SAMOA TIMES. Str,—" Samoan" in your last week's issue has taken the wind out of my sails. All that is written there in that article is quite true, and to make it plain to all parties I will quote or rather write out a proclamation or two of Dr. StouboTs and leave the public and your readers to judge of the deception used afterwards by other Imperial officers. Under date, Apia, May 29, 1886, is the following: " Silnsila mai tagata uma. " £ fia faali atu ole malo a Siamani i Samoa o leai oo latou ' taofi ia fao Samoa' e Siamani e le manao foi ole malo o Siamani ina ia faatupu fua e so tas o so upu e faapea a le fu'a Siamani lava ua tutupu at lata i Samoa. Ole inea lea e le sisi ai pea ole fu'a Siamani i Mulinuu o amata i le aso nci. Ao inea ' faigata' e i ai ' i leva' ole ' Malo' o 'Siamani' ma ■'• Malietoa' e'sue sueina lava ia mea i aso o lumanai. " D«. Stubbel, " Faaniasino mli o Siamani." On 21st May, 1886, is this: " Ua iloa lei a Sampa umo o 100 faia nci lava filifiHga i le ya o Malo tetdo e tohi iineVe aoga ooa feia ona ole manuia o Samoa. K le in

iilifiliga ia o !e mea lea ua tea atu ai ina Samoa o Mannao Siamani a o ' lei soesueina' e i laton o' Soliga o feagaiga ma Soliga eseese' ua fau nei o Malietoa. Aua faaailasila atu lava i le Halo 0 Siamani ae sisi pea ai foi o ie fu'a Siamani i Mulinuu :

" 0 le mea lea c le aoga ai foi o mea uma ua faia e Malietoa i aso ua mavae nei—e le mafai lava ona faama maluina ole Halo Samoa e le faamasino Amelita, a o Ifi faatouuina lea mea mai lona Malo. Ole mea lea ua sisi ai fua lava e ia ole ' fua' Amelita i lug e le fu'a ole Malo i Apia. • * • * "Dr. Stet/bel,

" Faamasino sili Siamani." In the proclamation of the 29th of May, Dr. Steubel plainly states that Germany does not want to take or annex Samoa; also what difficulties have arisen between Samoa and deruiany will be examined into some time to come. Nobody knows what the difficulty is that has arisen between Samoa and Germany. All old settlers well know that Malietoa was ill-used and often threatened by the Germans. „VJn that of the 21st parties would like to know what treaty or agreement has been broken by tho Maiietoa and in what other things Malietoa has transgressed. Did the Germans cvor examine into these broken engagements ? When Malietoa gave himself up did they hold a court and examine him ? Or did they take him on board a man-of-war, and the second day on board he was out on his way to banishment ? Was that the " Suesueina that Dr. Stuebel mentions in his proclamations of the above dates ?

It is plainly to be seen by what has happened that they do now want Samoa, and that to fall quietly into their hands in a way that it will not vex their " old ally " that that they ha'-e fooled so often. Now I will give you one issued by the three consuls conjointly. It is datad 27th May, 1880 : Proclamation :

" We, the Consuls of Germany, Great Britain,and the United States of America hereby give notice that " We and our Governments do not" and never have, in any way recognised "Tamaseso" as King of Samoa, and order all Sampans to return to their homes and remain quiet and peaceable. And we further demand the continued enforcement of the Convention, especially with regard to the neutral territory of Apia. (Signed) Dn. Stoehel, Imp. German Consul-Gen. Wilfred Powell, H. B. M. Consul. B. GItKENEIUUM, United States Consul. Apia, 27th May, 1886. Now I ask, who made Tamascse the rebel to Malietoa King of Samoa ? Who broke up the Municipality and the Neutral Territory ? Who! Is there any trust to be placed in parties who say one thing and do another!

In all the telegrams from home it has never been stated that Bismarck has forgiven Mataafa for killing so many Germans in the late fight. No, I believe Bismarck before he gives in will have his revenge on the Mataafa army. When that revenge is accomplished then he will give way to America. Why has he postponed the Conference to May ? Only to give him time for revenge. We find ho has recalled so and so; but there is ao forgiving of Mataafa for the slaughter of the German sailors. Yet Bismarck must remember that the sailors did not fight for Germany. No, they fought for tatnasese, a black-fellow, a rebel to the recognised and acknowledged King of Samoa. Dr. Steubel's mission to Samoa bodes no good to Samoa. To save Mataafa and his army now from any collision with Germans, the Admiral must at ones act and so place the proper "Malo" on a sure and safe footing, so as to checkmate bur friend.—l am, &c. Old Gap. Ist April, 1889.