THE SAMOA TIMES. " Sworn to no Master, op no Sect am I." SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1878.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 42, 20 July 1878, Page 2

THE SAMOA TIMES. " Sworn to no Master, op no Sect am I." SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1878.

Cue remarks in our leading article of last Saturday has caused us to be charged in two Uiiforent quarters ■with misstating facts, and improper motives have been attributed to us as being the cause of suoh alleged misstatements. The first complaint is that we have, for a certain consideration from Germans and Englishmen, wilfully undervalued the vested interests of 'America in theso islands. ' The second charge is, that we have considerably overestimated the interests of both England and America, and, because we could not put the valuat ion of German property in figures, but contented ourselves by saying that German interests amounted to more than all all the other foreign Powers put together, we havo been charged with desiring to bump up British interests. To these charges wo give our unqualified denial. Further, wo challcngo nny person to prove that we have undervalued the interests of America, or overvalued those of Great Britain. Truly it is hard for an editor of n newspaper to please everybody, and ho who tries it will forcibly illustrate the fable of the man and his ass.

From time to time wo have boon charged with being in the pay of first one nationality and thon another for the purpose of furthering their noveral schemes, and now we are chargod by a few narrow-miuded individuals with receiving pay from both the Germans and thu English to throw ovcry obstacle in ill" way of i the formation of a Government here by the Amorioans. It is Hcnrcoly necessary for us, to satisfy thoso i who arc subscribers to the Samoa Times,

to say that such is not the case, but for tho benefit of those visitors who may be misled by a few individuals who have never subscribed one cent towards the support of tiiis journal, and in whose sides it ha* boen a thorn ever since it has bee:i established, we deem it necessary to deny the various charges in toto. Tho proprietors of this journal have established it with their own capital, and it has been carried on up to the present time with their own capital. The Samoa Times has hitherto been conducted as an independent journal, and when the time arrives that the public of Samoa are unable to support it as suoh, its publication will either bo stopped or it will have to change hands. All that we have written concerning the treaty between America and Samoa has been whit we conscientiously believed to be the truth, and we now deny the statements of oar villifiers, and defy them to prove ono iota of their villainous statements. We have, sinco tho commencement of our career as journalists in Samoa, endeavoured to bring about such a state of political matters here as would benefit Loth the natives and foreigners in theso islands, knowing that what would benefit them would also benefit ourselves.

We are desirous of seeing a Government formed in these islands, but we want to see it of such a nature as that it shall be lasting, and not fall through in a few months like all others that" have been started hitherto. The only means by which this can be effected is either- by some nation taking these islands under its protection, or by the combined inlluence and assistance of the Foreign Powers represented in these islands. The natives have not stability enough in themselves to form a good and lasting Government. They do not know their own minds any time together. This is proved from the fact that in April of last year they sent a deputation 10 Fiji to endeavour to get British protection through Sir Arthur Gordon. Before any reply could be obtained to this petition they signed, three months afterwards, a treaty with Germany, offering that nation the same privileges as the most favoured nation, and two mouths after Mamea was sent to effect a treaty of protection with the United States, their haste to place themselves under the protection of some Foreign Power is evidence of thoir weakness and inability to govern the country alone. Providing that America, instead of having tho least, had the greatest vested interests in these islands, we think that Germany and England, after the ins'ilts offered to them through their representatives, by the Samoans, would not consent to allow their subjects to bo taxed without having something to say in the matter. But, under existing circumstance, we feel certain that they will not only not allow their subjects to be taxed, but will demand their right to say what sort of a Government shall exist.

Again, providing that Germany and England were to withdraw their objections, and a Government should bo established under the present treaty of trade and commerce with America, it ■would probably last for about twelve months, and then, the natives becoming tired of taspaying, it would crumble like its predecessors. But on the other hand if the Government formed has the moral support of all the Foreign Powers it would give such power to it and such force to its laws that there would be very little fear of the disaffected party rising and defying the Government, particularly if it were so arranged that a ship of war of one of the nations should be in harbour for a time after the formation of the Government.

If the representatives of America are desirous to seo the formation of a good stable Government in Samoa, they should at once inform the natives of the true nature of the Treaty between the United States and Samoa, and advise them to make a similar one with the other Foreign Powers.

Talolo.—On Wednesday, Thursday and Fiiday last most of the natives from the various parts of the group were engaged in the native custom of talolo, (presenting food, &o. to visitors) in honour of the Captain and officers of the American Bhip-of-war, Adams. On the first <lay there were about 4000 natives present, and on the second and third days about tiOOO. Between thirty and forty pig 6, several fowls, and a quantity of vegetables were presented, and a number of native dances and semi-military evolutions were performed in the pvosonoe of the American visitors. The exercises with sticks was a really wonderful performance, and, like the gun practice by a party of Tutuila natives, called forth much applause. A small company of marines from the Adams were present and on the second day were put through their drill to the evident dolight and satisfaction of the natives. Yesterday Maraea addressed the meeting for nearly three hours, but, as we had boen given to understand that no speeches would bo mado until the arrival of the Savaii people, and that the proceedings would be simply a, repetition of the previous two days, our reportur was not presentThis meeting at Mulinuu was tho largest that has boon held sinoe Stoinbergcr arrived, and had it not boon for tho strong winds which provontcd tho Savaii pooplo from coming across, it would no doubt have been the largest ever seen in Samoa.

The Ariadse—We hare been authorised to inform the public that the German ship of war will be open for visitors this afternoon (Saturday, 20th instant), from 2 till 5 o'clock, especially for the foreign residents and their families. The band will be playing. We doubt not that many will avail themselves of the kindness of Captain von Werner.

Consular Court.—The case of C. W. Drury v. J. W. Dunn was heard at the United States Consular Court, before Mr. Consul Griffin, on Thursday last. The amount claimed by the plaintiff was the sum of $635 for money due and owing by the defendant. Mr. G. A. Woods, attorney for the plaintiff who is trustee in bankruptcy of the estate of G. J. Smith and Co., was examined in support of the plaintiff's case, and Mr. J. E. V. Alvord gavo evidence for the defence. The court, after a patient hearing of tho ease, gave judgment for the plaintiff for the full amount claimed, with costs. Mr. Hctherington appeared for the plaintiff.

Attaching Harbours.—The Taimua and Faipule having refused to fulfil, or to state a time when they would fulfil Article 4of an agreement, or rather a distinct promise, made on the 3rd of July 1877, guaranteeing partly the neutrality of Apia and its vicinity during the last war, and partly guaranteeing full and perfect equality of rights to the Imperial German Government, the German ship-of-war, Ariadne, left our port on Monday last, the lath instant, proceeding to Saluafata for tho purpose of attaching that harbour and vicinity as security for the faithful fulfitnent of the said obligation by the Taimua and Faipule, or until further orders are received from the German Government. Tho Ariadno left Apia in the afternoon of the 13th and arrived at Saluafata, and on the following morning proclaimed tho attachineut of Saluafata for the above-named reasons. She left there about noon, and proceeded to Falealili, arriving there tho same eVening, and on the morning of the 17 th that harbour was attached in tho sa;ne manner as Saluafata, and for the same object.