“FORCE IS ONLY THING”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 900, 18 February 1930, Page 1

“FORCE IS ONLY THING”

Commodore Blake on Samoa MAU FOOD CAN BE CUT OFF “ Matter Must be Settled Now ” PKOE is the only thing that will appeal to the Mau,” said Commodore Blake, of H.M.S. Dunedin, who has returned from Samoa. He says pressure can also be exerted by cutting off the food supplies to the natives who have fled to the bush.

Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. Commodore Geoffrey Blake, of H.M.S. Dunedin, in the course of an interview giving his impressions on i lie situation in Samoa says:— "My own opinion is that the present nolicy is the only possible one. When me Administrator’s demands have heen fulfilled there will he no need 'or harsh treatment or retaliation, but until that time force is the only thing that will appeal to the Mau. My cpinion from the outset has been that nothing but a large force could possibly bring sufficient pressure to bear on the Mau sheltering in the bush and villages. • "Indirect pressure can be exerted by rutting off food supplies to the natives in the bush and preventing them coming into the villages, but this can only be achieved by a very large number of men, involving patrols right round the coast in conjunction with strong raiding parties. The matter las got to be settled now. There is no alternative.”

An American paper’s comment on the , recent fatal clash in Samoa is printed on , Page 7. J