IN SAMOA TODAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 901, 19 February 1930, Page 7

IN SAMOA TODAY

MAU SAID TO BE CROSSING TO SAVAII MANY RUMOURS IN APIA From Our Apia. Correspondent APIA, February 6. the arrival of the Dunedin and the landing of a large force of marines and sailors, we are now in a state of nar, and proclamations at frequent intervals prohibit this and that, or the other thing, but the impasse continues. On Stevenson-s "beach of a thousand tongues” rumours fly thicker and faster than ever, but we know very little of what is really happening outside the municipality of ApiaThe general atmosphere ts one of depression and distrust, and business is worse than dull. The trade returns for last year showed a serious fallingoff of nearly 30 per cent, and with the large majority of the native producers hiding in the bush the production of native copra is almost at a standstill. That means everything to Samoa. The Government estates and the few private planters are turning out their quota, but that is small compared with the native output, and it will take years before we recover from the set-back caused by the present trouble. The revenue of the territory depends a lot on the 30s a ton export duty on copra and the Customs tax on imports mostly consumed by the natives. But while the revenue is dropping, the cost itf administration with the “war” is soaring daily. There is very little reliable news of the movements of the Man since thousands of them faded into the bush with the issue of a proclamation declaring them seditious subjects. The Auckland “war correspondent” who arrived on the Dunedin lias found it hard to find out anything, and returns in disgust by this trip of the Tofua. The combing-out process has not produced a very big haul up to now, and those acquainted with conditions in our jungle are not very hopeful of the Mau men being either dragged or starved out of their native haunts. JUIMALEALIIFANO COMES HOME When the exodus of the Mau took place, the veteran high chief Tuimalealiifano accompanied them to the hush, jn spite of his age and his recent discharge from hospital with two oullet wounds in his arm from the Christ-mas-week shootings. But with his SUth birthday not far off. Tui was ordered to return to his home by Faumuina, and he quietly came back to his tale. He was arrested and brought in to Apia, where he was charged with “wearing a seditious uniform in a Government office.” He has since been interviewed by the Administrator and has written him a lengthy letter, but it is known that Tui is quite irreconcilable. With Tamasese dead and Tui horn de combat, the leadership of the Mau has fallen on the massive shoulders of Faumuina, who is well known to you. Before the trouble started Faumuina showed me a copy of The Sun with a front page article from an anonymous correspondent in Apia alleging to give the substance of his speech at Vaimoso at the welcome given on his return. Faumuina wished me to tonvey his compliments and state that there was not a word of truth iu the letter. The high chief still recalls the visit he and Tui made to The Sun Office while in Auckland, and the impression made on him by modern newspaper production was the deepest received during his trip. MRS. TAMASESE’S PROTEST

On behalf of the widow of the late Tamasese and other Samoan women, Mr. Slipper has made strong protests to the Administrator about the action of the marines and police raiding the fales at Vaimoso at three o’clock in the morning, and alarming sleeping women and children. It is alleged that the sleepers were turned out of bed, mattresses ripped open, bayonets poked through bundles of fine mats on the rafters, boxes and trunks broken open and their contents scattered about the various fales. In reply, the Administrator has arranged to meet Mrs. Tamasese at the Native Office, Mulinu’u. on Wednesday next and inquire into the charges. The same solicitor has also been fengaged iu an entertaining correspondence with the Administrator in an attempt to secure safe passages for several witnesses required to leave by this Tofua to give evidence for the Hon. O. F. Nelson in his libel action against the "Herald” on February 20. Mr. Slipper asks that they may be allowed to leave their present refuges to catch the steamer and return to the same shelter without hindrance PC their return from New Zealand, which is guaranteed under any bond required. The Administrator’s first reply stated he did not object to the persons named proceeding to New Zealand “under proper safeguards” on the next Tofua, “providing I have legal power to permit the departure ot persons awaiting trial.” Mr. Slipper replied tc this at some length and in a distinctly satirical strain. The correspondence had reached this interesting stage when it was halted by a radio stating that the plaintiff had discontinued his action against the “Herald” until the Samoan witnesses Were tree and available. AERIAL PROPAGANDA

We had a view of our first seaplanes when the American Fleet called here, but the patrol work of Lieutenant Wallingford now makes it a common sight. In addition to spotting for the hidden Mau men, which has been a Profitless task, the airmail has been scattering leaflets where the hiders are supposed to be. The “dodgers” are printed in the native language. I have good reason for believing that, despite the naval patrol, a large number of the Mau have crossed the narruw straits from Upolo to Savaii. The distance is only eight miles, with the friendly islets of Manano and Apolima on the way, where there is plenty of food and friendly shelter. The night journey is not a hazardous one, and the task of rounding up the Mau Won],) be much more difficult in roadless Savaii with its iron-bound coast and wild hinterland, than in Upolo. There are also rumours of a large force arriving from New Zealand shortly, but it must be obvious that to catch some seven or eight thousand men scattered over the two islands, with native food available everywhere, it will take a long time, a large army, and cost quite a lot o' money. Both Tamasese ar.d TuifnalealiUauo intimated to the Administrator more than a year ago that the Mat would not discuss lerms ■ the deportations of Messrs. Kelson and Gurr continue.